Animations & Simulations

CQU (2009) explains that animations and simulations offer substantial advantages over print based material when it comes to complex interactions and concepts in a wide range of KLA's. An Educational Simulation provides a virtual experience which is based on an internal model of a real-world system or phenomena that would otherwise be dangerous, expensive or even impossible to access. Utilising animations within learning experiences has been proved to be very engaging and rich in learning opportunities for students when they are able to gain knowledge, skills and concepts. Students are able to use these tools collaboratively or individually and also allows an interactive classroom climate when both animation and simulation tasks are executed through an interactive whiteboard or smart board.
Another benefit of Animations and Simulations is that they are web-based so they can be made accessible for the students to use out of the classroom. It is obvious that these tools would engage all students which would result in gaining knowledge, understanding and skills in a real life learning context. "Real-world learning situated in real-world contexts has been shown to have positive impacts on learning and learner motivation (Duffy & Cunningham, 1996).

CQU (2009). Teacher Deliveries Technology. Retrieved 10 August from http://moodle.cqu.edu.au/mod/resource/view.php?id=671

Duffy, T. & Cunningham, D. (1996). Constructivism: Implications for the Design and Delivery of Instruction. In D.