Animation for learning?

Since the early 1980's animation has been used in learning, with the continuous evolving of technology and learners ability to use the software, education through animation has become increasingly popular.

One of the reasons as to why animation has become so popular is the belief that it can help learners understand and process difficult topics or subjects easier than the traditional teaching.(Ainsworth, 2008) But does animation help learners? If so how?

Today more and more schools are using animation within education and learning as an alternative method. Learning can be seen as a complicated process by some and can find the process of understanding and obtain the knowledge difficult. Every individual is different and unique which means we all learn in different ways, therefore having their own preferred learning style. 

Visual learners who 'show me and I understand' will benefit from learning a topic through animation. Using diagrams, images and charts will help them with the knowledge.

Auditory learners tend to benefit from the most traditional teaching styles.

Kinesthetic learners tend to be 'more hands on', they learn through experimenting and doing so animation can be used to help these type of learners too.

The way an individual absorbs, processes, comprehends and retains information is important. The Educational theorist Neil Flemmings explains the learning styles in his VARK theory. 

References

Ainsworth, S. (2008) 'How do animations Influence Learning?', in D. Robinson and G. Schraw (eds.) Current Perspective on Cognition, Learning, and Instruction: Recent Innovations in Educational Technology that Facilitate Student Learning

Lowe, R. K. (2003) Animation and Learning: Selective Processing of Information in Dynamic Graphics. Learning and Instruction