E.Learning and Animations and Simulations

In terms of engaging twenty-first century learners, animations and simulations have their advantages, particularly over print based materials, especially when the topic to be learnt is complex and its concepts abstract. Some offer virtual experiences, which are very useful especially when it proves impossible to give examples in class or it is simply not affordable for the school’s budget. Since animations and simulations are Web-based they can generally be accessible for students use anytime and anywhere (CQ University, 2010.)

Animations and simulations on their own do not constitute learning. The teacher needs to embed them effectively in correlation to the actual learning context (CQ University, 2010.) An example could be high school students that are learning about the human body in Science. A student talks about his Grandpa needing a hip replacement. This starts a discussion into medical procedures; what actually happens during operation time? How is the hip replaced? What happens to the bone? A very useful site that could be incorporated into the learning that involves animation and simulation could be “Virtual Hip Replacement”, where students take on the role of the Surgeon throughout a hip replacement surgery.

Yet again, when used effectively I believe this tool to be highly beneficial in teaching and engaging twenty-first century students. Used in this way as mentioned above, students access animations that relate to the real world whilst engaging and learning in actual technology devices, to achieve answers to questions. Problems are solved (Berkowitz et al, 2001. Kearsley & Shneiderman, 1999. Mishra & Koehler, 2006. Siemens, 2005.)

References:

Berkowitz. B., Eisenberg. M., & Johnson. D. (2001). The Big 6 - Information & Technology Skills for Student Achievement: Skills Overview. Accessed July 22, 2010 from http://www.big6.com/2001/11/19/a-big6™-skills-overview/

CQ University (2010). FAHE11001 - Managing E-Learning Digital Tool 12: Animations and Simulations. Accessed August 22, 2010 from http://moodle.cqu.edu.au/mod/resource/view.php?id=91814

Edheads. (2010). Edheads: Virtual Hip Replacement. Accessed August 22, 2010 from http://edheads.org/activities/hip/index.htm

Kearsley, G. & Shneiderman, B. (1999). Engagement Theory: A framework for technology-based teaching and learning. Accessed July 22, 2010 from http://home.sprynet.com/%7Egkearsley/engage.htm

Mishra, P. & Koehler, M. (2006). Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge: A Framework for Teacher Knowledge. Accessed July 22, 2010 from http://site.aace.org/pubs/sigs/sig-Mishra-Koehler-TCR.pdf

Siemens. (2005).Connectivism: A Learning Theory for the Digital Age. Accessed July 22, 2010 from http://www.elearnspace.org/Articles/connectivism.htm