Creating a narrated stop-motion animation to explain science: The affordances of "Slowmation" for generating discussion

Authors

Garry F. Hoban, University of WollongongFollow
Wendy S. Nielsen, University of WollongongFollow

RIS ID

91052

Publication Details

Hoban, G. & Nielsen, W. (2014). Creating a narrated stop-motion animation to explain science: The affordances of "Slowmation" for generating discussion. Teaching and Teacher Education, 42 68-78.

Abstract

This case study investigated the nature of the discussions generated when three preservice primary teachers made a narrated stop-motion animation called “Slowmation” to explain the science concept of moon phases. A discourse analysis of the discussion during construction demonstrated that the preservice teachers posed many questions, propositions and ideas facilitated by four affordances of the process: (i) a need to understand the science in order to explain it; (ii) making models; (iii) stopping to check information; and (iv) sharing personal experiences. Slowmation is a simplified way of making animations that has four affordances to promote discussion resulting in scientific reasoning.