Introduction
Animation has the power far beyond the setting of our television in our living room. “From the moment they wake up in the morning, animated cartoons and powerful digital stories surround our students.” (Kolk, 2013). By incorporating animation in a positive classroom environment, learners are able to connect, create and participate with the learning process. ABCmouse has create an app specifically for language arts, by using the animation to showcase the fundamentals of the language arts. With fun cast of characters, both engage and educate the learners they are able to play and learn with animation anywhere, and anytime.
Curiosity
“Curiosity is aroused by uncertainty or a desire to close a perceived gap in one’s knowledge due to such things as unanswered questions or unresolved conflicts.” (Reiser & Dempsey, 2018, p. 80) A big question that came to mind during this global pandemic is how to keep learners engaged and avoid distraction? It may seem impossible since learners are at home and there are distractions at home as well as the struggle learners can have engaged in an environment that is nothing more than plain computer screen. This is where ABCmouse comes to play. ABCmouse app provides a sense of curiosity for learners to engage in the language arts. Each animation video, along with their fun characters, grant learners a chance to understand, interact, and grow their vocabulary. Allowing learners to explore a colorful environment and immersive themselves in a world of fundamental, perceptual curiosity. “Perceptual curiosity is characterized by reflexive reactions to unexpected and intrusive stimuli such as a loud noise or unexpected movement detected in one’s peripheral vision and it is resolved as soon as the cause of the stimulation is perceived and determined to not be dangerous.” (Reiser & Dempsey, 2018 p. 80). ABCmouse app turns the learners’ perceptual curiosity into a motivational movement, in which engages the learner to continue their learning.
Using Animation to Master the Content
ABCmouse app introduces learners to their new, interactive, animated world for them to explore different vocabulary, grammar, sentence structure and more. “Animation and digital storytelling provide a myriad of opportunities for high-level performance task that engage students in Common Core Standards for English Language Arts.” (Kolk, 2013). ABCmouse has the curriculum of common core for learners to master the language arts, which are creatively designed to develop appropriate and highly engage, animated environment. The app is the perfect form of mastery for learner. The desire to master the content, as well as gaining the confidence and encouraging learners to want to master each level. The positive animation, colorful storytelling, and interactive worlds creative the desire and belief that anything is possible. “Feeling good about accomplishment and no feeling inappropriately bad when not successful is a result of several external and internal factors.” (Reiser & Dempsey, 2018, p.81). This is important because when learners don’t have a positive expectation for success, or they feel as though they aren’t able to avoid failure, they can develop a sense of helplessness. This is something we don’t want any learner to feel.
Animation Creates Confidence
“Educational animation is as powerful as cartoon in engaging children.” (n.a, 2019). The power of visuals in teaching and learning, especially in the case of language arts has the most enhance effect in learners. ABCmouse app attractive visuals and animation grabs learner’s attention. The satisfaction of building confidence is, in its own right, motivation. They provide a supportive tool to deal with their confidence and helps them gain self-expression. Another thing to consider is the stress reduce animation can provide. Learning is more than just getting a good score or a good grade. It is to build confidence and interest in knowledge. ABCmouse has brought new and practical learning experience, giving the learners the power to control their environment. “A central concept related to building confidence in mastering learning tasks is that of control.” (Reiser & Dempsey, 2018, p.81).
Conclusion
ABCmouse language art is an innovative app that allows learners to connect, interact and enjoy what they are learning. It has shown that animation has a positive impact in the learning field and proves that animation can be a tool in the classroom. Animation is more than funny cartoon on a screen. They provide a visual guide for the learners, a supportive tool to for their learning, and build their confidence. The power of animation can be a game changer if done correctly. ABCmouse has done this correctly. They use animation to promote a positive and safe environment. This is about animation is all about.
Reference
Jon’s Gaming Time: Cool Stuff (2020, Nov. 14) Tour of the Abcmouse Language Arts Animations App [Video] Youtube. https://youtu.be/kdGTy_vO5Ds
Kolk, M (2013, August, 23) Using Animation and Digital Storytelling to Support Common Core. Retrieved from https://web.tech4learning.com/using-animation-and-digital-storytelling-to-support-common-core
(N.a) 2019 Animations in Primary Education: How Does it Work Retrieved from https://www.flearningstudio.com/animations-benefits-primary-education/
Reiser, R.A, & Dempsey, J.V. (2018) Trends and Issues in Instructional Design and Technology. NY, NY: Pearson.
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Introduction
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