Although there was an increase in the use of online learning during the Covid-19 lockdown, we’ve seen this trend on the rise way before the pandemic. As educators look for ways to make their learning resources more engaging, integrating animations into courses adds to the quality of a programme’s content.

Animation-based learning uses animated videos as a visual aid to facilitate learning and improve performance. This approach is very effective across all ages: from primary school to adult education.

Let’s have a look at some of the benefits of using animation in education for learners and educators:

Simplifying Complicated Information

A complex subject can be difficult for the mind to comprehend. Combine this with ‘traditional’ learning tools and an audience and can quickly lose interest. Animation-based learning allows teachers to easily describe or explain complex topics that most learners find difficult to understand. Using animation enables students to visualise and understand complex subjects or processes.

Retain Attention

As well as simplifying messages and complex subjects, animation-based learning can also help improve learners’ retention. Our brains can process visual information efficiently and quickly. According to Hubspot, 90% of information transmitted to the brain is visual, and visuals are processed 60,000X faster in the brain than text.[1] However, combining audio and graphic learning material is an even more effective approach for easy learning retention.

People learn in different ways. While some of us like practical learning, others prefer reading, and some are visual learners. Animations enable different kinds of learning styles to be catered for.

Attention and Engagement

Learners often find reading text uninteresting and not particularly engaging. Some may spend hours reading without understanding the information or absorbing it into their long-term memory. However, animations offer a faster and more entertaining way of learning. Using this learning approach can help increase students’ attention and learning rates.

Cost-Effectiveness

There’s often a perception that creating a bespoke animation can be costly, but look at it this way: your investment will result in effective, good-quality learning material that can be reused and repurposed. What do we mean by this? For a start, if your audiences include people who speak different languages, the same visual elements of the animation can be adapted with relevant dialect (or voiceovers). They have longevity and can be broken down into bite-size clips that promote a course or programme through various digital channels, including social media. Learners can also watch videos at their convenience – and repeat if they wish.

If this has whet your appetite to add an animation to support your education portfolio, the first thing you need to consider is your audience and what you’re trying to convey. Set out clear aims and objectives; what’s the message you’re trying to communicate? The key to a successful, effective animation is thorough planning and preparation.

Read our article ‘How to Create an Animation for Education’

[1] https://blog.hubspot.com/blog/tabid/6307/bid/33423/19-reasons-you-should-include-visual-content-in-your-marketing-data.aspx