TIPS FOR ANIMATING IN THE CLASSROOM
Reference the SAM Animation user guide and video tutorials.
To help get students started with SAM in the classroom, refer to the comprehensive PDF user guide covering everything from installing SAM and troubleshooting to mastering the importing and editing features: check out the user guide here.
Three video tutorials are also available for quick tips and tricks on using SAM in the classroom: access the podcasts here.
Identify core content areas and skills enhanced by SAM Animation.
We’ve compiled a collection of applications, organized by core content area, for SAM Animation in the K12 classroom. These examples can help seed ideas for a more seamless integration of SAM across content areas as well as a serve as a starting point for where animation can be particularly effective.
We have also identified five categories of learning goals for SAM Animation in the K12 classroom, working with 21st Century Skills in mind.
Download PDFs of both lists here.
Make storyboards.
Students get excited by animation and they want to tell elaborate and creative stories. Using storyboards to determine what story they will tell, what sections of their animation they will shoot, and what props they will need keeps them on track and focused on the goal of making a coherent animation.
Download a sample storyboard. Download a sample cycle storyboard.
Students should work in groups.
Groups are important for a number of reasons, but most importantly are the conversations that occur between group members as they think of how to bring their ideas to life in the animation. We recommend groups of 2-3 students, but no more than 3. Groups also help with resources – fewer groups mean fewer cameras and computers.
One camera, one computer per group
We typically recommend one camera (with stand) and one computer per group. The typical classroom can make an animation with 10 animation stations (i.e., camera, stand, computer).
Point the camera down at the table.
Point the USB webcam at the table and move the props of the animation around on that flat table space.
Use non-reflective backgrounds.
Use fabrics, construction paper, foams, etc. that have less of a tendency to reflect the lights overhead.
Managing Sounds
Sounds are great animation enhancers when used appropriately. Use your discretion with regard to which movies are most conducive for additional audio. For those animations which are best as stand-alone projects, the audio tab in SAM Animation can be disabled.
Go to SAM Animation –> Preferences –> Uncheck the Enable Audio tab.
Download 13 fun sound effects!
Sharing the movies
Students *love* sharing their movies – thats one of the powerful aspects of animation. We recommend a film festival. When all students have finished their movies, they should Share to Quicktime, and then use the Loop and Fullscreen functions to play it back. This way their movie will play repeatedly on their computer. Each group walks around the room looking at each others animations, sharing their creations, ideas, and techniques.
What to do with finished animations?
Just because were done animating, doesnt mean we are done with the animations! The animations students make are great for discussion prompts, for thinking up experiments, for reviewing for exams and tests, and for sharing different ways of explaining complex ideas. Be on the lookout for a guide related to what to do with animations, coming soon!
