From a technical perspective, animations are sequences of images over time. Two different types can be distinguished:
- Animated films (the sequence of images is predetermined)
- Interactive animations (the sequence of images is not predetermined)
There are numerous genres with overlapping characteristics. Examples include cartoons, 3D animations, simulations (2D/3D), stop-motion, virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and games.
Didactic animations help eliminate critical learning obstacles. A lack of visual clarity is a recurring problem, not only in technology.
Animations can compensate for missing context. Due to the time dimension, the behavior of technical systems can be represented directly. The braking distance of a car, depending on speed, can be described mathematically, but an animation makes it more tangible.
As an interactive medium, animations invite exploration through play. They allow for risk-free interaction with technology and can adapt to individual interests.
How Educational Animations Support Learning
Educational animations make invisible or complex processes easier to understand. Depending on the learning objective, they can serve different functions:
- Visualization – making abstract relationships visible
- Analogy – connecting new concepts with familiar models
- Exploration – investigating relationships independently
- Simulation – exploring processes and interactions realistically
- Interaction and play – encouraging attention and active learning