Animation is moving images that contain graphic elements but not live action – these may be animated models, diagrams or characters.
For research insights into the effectiveness of animations for learning, and tips for creating animations that work well for learners, we recommend the short article Create animations that are good for learning by Connie Malamed.
Good practice guides and tip sheets
Good practice guides and tip sheets have been developed to support quality in both curriculum design and teaching practice. Good practice guides provide a pedagogical overview and tip sheets provide you with practical strategies and ideas for implementation.
Links to engaging content-related resources are provided below.
Camtasia is video recording and editing software that features simple drag and drop editing and libraries of effects and interactions. With Camtasia, you can record, then edit your computer screen activity, audio and webcam input. If you capture
video footage on mobile devices or digital recorders, you can import and edit it. Camtasia is available to all staff and can be downloaded via the IDS Support Portal. Home-use licences are available (request via Service One).
Camtasia is available for both Mac and Windows.
Training is available for making educational videos in Camtasia. Refer to iEnrol for scheduled and upcoming sessions
The first time you start Camtasia, the program will open a tutorial video. You can find this video again later under Help > Open Getting Started Project within Camtasia. This built-in video provides basic instructions on how to use
Camtasia
Good for
Creating basic movements and transitions with graphics you have created or sourced elsewhere
Creating animations that include sound elements or narration
Useful features
Able to have items move or transform with time
Able to add some animated effects to video (eg zooming in). Click and drag animated effects onto timeline from library
Able to add animated annotations over video
Limitations
Basic movements of objects only
Limited library of shapes for animation (generally you need to create or source graphic elements outside of Camtasia)
Cannot create character animations
Cautions
Can be time consuming
Tips
Keep animations and effects minimal and limit to where they add value to your video
Camtasia project files can be large. While working on your project save your files to the hard drive of your computer. Working with your project files on network storage will slow editing down and can also cause crashes. Once complete, store the
files on OneDrive or S: drive (your U: drive generally won't have enough space for these large files)
Building relatively simple animations using the graphic elements already available within PowerPoint, or graphics sourced elsewhere
Most suitable for animations that feature basic movements / reveals of the graphic content (ie to represent processes, systems, interactions, relational concepts)
Useful features
Familiar environment
Extensive drawing tools, shapes, icons, smart art libraries, grids, guides, grouping, alignment and layering options make diagram creation easy
Built-in animation effects and animation properties which provide control of timing and sequencing
Limitations
Animation of objects is fairly limited
Cannot animate characters
Cautions
User triggered / interactive animations will only be available when viewing in Microsoft PowerPoint slideshow. Must be provided as .pptx or .ppsx files. Users must download and open
Mobile devices require Microsoft PowerPoint app
Printing of a PowerPoint slide that contains animations would only show starting point of objects
Tips
Use motion path animation type to move items around the slide
Use a Morph transition to smoothly change an object from a starting state (size, colour position) (first slide) to a final state (second slide)
Export presentation as a video to record animation (playthrough, but not interactive). Upload to Kaltura
Keep animation and transition effects simple and only use when adding value
Microsoft Office has a large amount of training and help resources and there are many third party help
resources, how-to guides, videos, tutorials that can be found by searching the web
(Note the linked Microsoft page is for windows users. The Mac PowerPoint software is so similar that these windows resources are still useful to Mac users. Mac help resources are also available)
FLO tools: Lesson Quiz Active
QuizChoice Feedback Book Page Glossary
FLO tools cannot create animations but can be used to deliver/publish animations to students.
Useful features
Animations created in other tools can be embedded within FLO tools wherever the editor is available
Cautions
Content hosted on non-Flinders servers should not be relied on as critical content
The Digital Content Producer is a highly talented member of the Online Learning Team (OLT) in the Centre for Innovation in Learning and Teaching (CILT), who has an extensive skillset with multimedia and digital content, and can work with you on the development
of complex digital learning resources.
If your needs are not met by the existing tools or the resource you are looking to create is complex in some way, please speak with the Learning Designer in your college about your needs
as there is some capacity for digital content production for learning and teaching.