Animating in Science Teaching and Learning

It has recently become possible to create a video of a short animation in a school science classroom using a digital or mobile phone camera, Plasticine and freely available software within one or two lessons. Teachers in different countries are seizing on the learning opportunities offered by having students animate a science process such as a sound wave or cell division etc. yet there has been little research into how and this engaging activity supports learning.
This paper reports a project that explored animation creation with four classes of students (grades 4, 8, 11 and grade 12. It was found that making animations in school was enjoyed by nearly everyone and the students reported that, of the range of learning opportunities stimulated by making animations, talking in their groups during the task and seeing and discussing other groups' work were the most help to their understanding of the science concepts being animated.