Learning with Animation: Research Implications for Design

The use of animations has recently become very common in multimedia teaching and learning. Animations are assumed to increase interest and motivation, to direct attention, to illustrate procedures, and to explain how things work. Recent research shows that the educational effectiveness of animations depends on how their characteristics interact with the psychological functioning of the learner. This is the first comprehensive treatment of learning with educational animation, based on research of internationally recognized experts. The authors clarify and integrate the major themes of current research into learning with animation, exploring requirements for the principled design of learning resources that incorporate animation. Such materials can only be successful if their design reflects principles governing how learners develop understandings when they work with animations. The overarching goal of the book is therefore to improve the way educational animations are designed and used within a variety of learning contexts.