Teaching Digital Animation On An Online Learning Platform

By Dr. Rasslenda-Rass Rasalingam

Department of Computing

Photo by Cristofer Maximilian on Unsplash

Online learning is a part of the modern transformation of higher education. This is because the COVID-19 pandemic has brought significant change and challenges to the delivery of the educational system worldwide. 

Most of the educational institutions were urged by their respective governments to deliver online learning. Educators around the world were advised to create and design a better learning experience with the help of technology. 

Through utilisation of an online learning platform both educators and students are able to engage within two-way communication, whereby the educator is able to mentor, guide and teach students online. 

The online learning platform is a space, or portal, filled with educational content and live instruction on a particular subject. Imagine having a virtual mentor that interacts and guides students towards mastering a topic on software skills. It is a totally engaging, motivating and individualized mode of delivery. 

In this article, let’s take a look at how we teach digital animation online and how beneficial it is to our students.

What is digital animation?

Artists utilised pencil, paint, and paper in the early days of animation. Today's rising usage of digital technologies provides artists with new and intriguing options. 

The word animation is derived from the Latin word "animus or anima", which signifies air, life, spirit, and mind. As a result, animation creates the appearance of life in inanimate objects.

Hence, digital animation is the art of using computers to create moving pictures or animated visuals. This allows for representation that is so realistic that it aids in the creation of the cinematographic illusion.

Photo by Senad Palic on Unsplash

How does teaching animation online work?