Avatars play a significant role in Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered education, supported by various human-computer interactions and second language acquisition theories. AI avatars have become increasingly anthropomorphic and realistic with advancements in speech synthesis, speech-driven lip-syncing, and speech-to-facial animation. D-ID Studio…

This article explores animation as a popular mode of moving image education in the wider field of Scottish film education, through a discussion with film education practitioner Jonathan Charles. It reflects on Jonathan's pedagogic approach to film education, the way in which it is shaped and aligned with changing institutional and funding…

Dvolver is a free moviemaking platform that allows users to employ animated characters to develop fun, concise scripts in a digital format. The author and a co-teacher created a 45-minute lesson plan for teaching students at the upper-beginner and lower-intermediate skill levels. The purpose of this article is to describe the utility of Dvolver…

Today's global digital culture not only engages young people in daily consumption of visual images, texts, and artifacts, but also provides them with the tools to actively participate in the production of imagery and narratives. Whether they post a picture on Facebook, create a blog, or make a YouTube video with their peers, they engage in what…

Learning how to manage a classroom effectively is a difficult task for preservice teachers. This is compounded by the lack of attention that classroom management receives in many teacher preparation programs and in the field of education in general. This article offers a rationale for the lack of attention to classroom management in teacher…

Today's students grow up in a technological milieu of hand-held computers with high storage capacities, internet access, and the ability to shoot high definition photographs and video. As such, they are empowered to construct representations of the past virtually "on the run." In this article, the authors investigated the historical "and"…

In the late 20th and early 21st centuries, increased computing power has made possible extraordinary leaps in film special effects. This article argues that special effects developed since the beginning of digital animation, when coupled with standard editing room techniques (jump cuts, cutaways), have brought us to an era where the eye cannot…

Describes a sixth grade animated filmmaking project. Students researched tasks involved in filmmaking, developed a script, and worked on illustration and film production techniques. (AM)

Suggests that choosing the right type of animation and designing it carefully can communicate messages effectively and economically. Discusses using animation for what it does well; using the right type of animation; and keeping animation costs low. (RS)

Describes an art project in which junior high students are producing a 16mm animated cartoon using stop-action filming of handmade plastic figures on a built-to-scale set. (SJL)

The author describes an award-winning high school program in film animation. Features of this program include (1) close ties with industry and community resources, (2) an interdisciplinary approach, and (3) a spirit of cooperative learning. (CH)

Describes a project in which students are involved in producing an animated videotape recording and discusses the advantages of modern videotape equipment over other film media. An outline of the process covers materials used, storyboard and artwork production, videotaping procedures, and audio dubbing. (CLB)

Describes a year-long, technically-oriented photography/film course developed by the authors for the Newton (Massachusetts) Public Schools. Lists some of the program's objectives, discusses problems of working with chemicals and providing darkroom space, and emphasizes the program's motivational effects. (SJL)

Part of a larger project to design a production curriculum and measure the impact of this production activity on children's writing, visual thinking, and problem solving skills, a project developed an effective but inexpensive video for use in teaching animation processes to students at the elementary school level. The project used "cutout" or…

As the authors write this on October 26, 2003, they are flying home to Hawaii after four days of educational excitement at the 2003 AECT International Student Media Festival in Anaheim. While there, they spent 16 hours a day meeting students and teachers from all over the country, attending meetings, teaching workshops, being amazed at the quality…