The Mauritius educational system is currently undergoing a number of changes with the introduction of ICT as a major driver for educational reforms and to improve the current teaching and learning landscape. Schools in Mauritius are being equipped with interactive whiteboards and computers but the reality is that without the right pedagogical approach and the right type of content, the expected outcomes will never be achieved.
This article demonstrates a prototype story-telling cartoon that has the pedagogical objective to teach students of Standard III (age group 8-9 yrs) a simple lesson that plants need water and sunlight to grow. The original lesson is found in the students’ workbook where emphasis is laid on pictures and text. The original lesson has been converted into a story-telling script and implemented as an animated cartoon of about 5 minutes duration.
The research proposed in this project is inspired from the work of Dalacosta et al (2009) who used cartoon-styled application for the teaching of elementary science in Athens. Their target audience were students aged 10-11. Their research results provide evidence that the use of animated cartoons significantly increases the young students’ knowledge and understanding of specific science concepts, which are normally difficult to comprehend and often cause misconceptions to them.
However, Dalacosta et al. (2009) focused mainly on static cartoons and interactive animations for their research. In this project, the concept will be pushed further to include story-telling dynamic cartoons that will have a context and a scenario similar to a short movie. These will then be supplemented with learning games that will render the process similar to a recreational activity for the student, but which is in reality a learning activity taking place.
The research project in its broader sense therefore aims at the development of a set of pedagogical materials for the primary school curriculum using the cartoon-based story telling approach for students. The concepts of ‘Fun Learning’ will be explored as potential innovative teaching and learning methods that can bring about significant improvement in our educational system.
Goood one. Liked it a lot!!!
ReplyDeleteThe introduction of the video is good; though the voice for the character of the girls was a little too high-pitched and was a little hard to comprehend. The graphics and music was very nice, and I feel that it is a good way for children to remember (a simple form of) photosynthesis. It is a great break from the studying form books routine and somehow allows children to see how to put into practice what they are studying.
ReplyDeleteI strongly agree with your arguments. The video is quite a good quality.However the voices are not appropriate since we cannot really distinguish a boy and a girl voice.The process of photosynthesis is not actually being illustrated here. Photosynthesis is quite an advanced process for kids to understand. i believe its simply to important physical actions that plants need 2 grow up healthy. Though you are right about te subsequent process which you call phtosynthesis.
DeleteI totally agree with the idea of helping student to understand some of the science concepts by the aid of cartoons. This is because there are many such thing that are difficult to explain and learn at the same time, hence cartoon will be of great use in those cases. student will understand better and will not get bored reading long paragraphs as this can be facilitated by cartoon in only 5 mins.
ReplyDeleteReply to haydes(13 décembre 2011 09:29 )
ReplyDeleteMy reply to haydes is affirmative.The video tutorial is a constructive mechanism for children to perform better in studies.Moreover, the use of cartoons is a good way to motivate children to learn in a friendly environment.However,there can be noise problem in the background thus disrupting learning as the technical problem need to be solved.
Even i agree with this concept. Through the introduction of the cartoon-style application to primary student, students will be inspired to study further. It will be fun to study through these videos and consequently they will get to understand the topic quickly and easily. Furthermore, it will also be advantageous for students who have difficulty to comprehend quickly to what the teacher is explaining in class. In this way, the student can view the video again and again in order to study the idea behind it.
ReplyDeleteEven i agree with this concept. Through the introduction of the cartoon-style application to primary student, students will be inspired to study further. It will be fun to study through these videos and consequently they will get to understand the topic quickly and easily. Furthermore, it will also be advantageous for students who have difficulty to comprehend quickly to what the teacher is explaining in class. In this way, the student can view the video again and again in order to study the idea behind it.
ReplyDeleteEven i agree with this concept. Through the introduction of the cartoon-style application to primary student, students will be inspired to study further. It will be fun to study through these videos and consequently they will get to understand the topic quickly and easily. Furthermore, it will also be advantageous for students who have difficulty to comprehend quickly to what the teacher is explaining in class. In this way, the student can view the video again and again in order to study the idea behind it.
ReplyDeleteEven i agree with this concept. Through the introduction of the cartoon-style application to primary student, students will be inspired to study further. It will be fun to study through these videos and consequently they will get to understand the topic quickly and easily. Furthermore, it will also be advantageous for students who have difficulty to comprehend quickly to what the teacher is explaining in class. In this way, the student can view the video again and again in order to study the idea behind it.
ReplyDeleteI think learning and teaching through this concept will be beneficial for both teacher and young students. Indeed, students will learn easily and in a fast way through cartoons. This method brings color, sounds and animation to learning thus catching the great attention of children. Also we can see that such type of learning adds creativity to the teaching field.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the introduction of animated cartoons as a form of pedagogy.It is a good idea to fit children's attraction to motion pictures, colors, images, dialogues to their education. It is rather more interesting for young ones to follow a class where the process of socialisation and learning is funny and constructive than dull and monotone.
ReplyDeleteHowever this form of pedagogy may represent a form of threat and shame for those who cannot read, see, hear and who have different handicaps. How can we make their process of learning better? The use of technologies is very up to date for this generation. But how about those who must stick to the ancient modes of teaching? and how about those who cannot afford this form of instruction or cannot even encode the messages in this curriculum?
While taking into consideration the needs of a modern society,one must not forget the exceptions and differences which makes that society is complex. One form of pedagogy may not be the best one for every child.
I think learning and teaching through this concept will be beneficial for both teacher and young students. Indeed, students will learn easily and in a fast way through cartoons. This method brings color, sounds and animation to learning thus catching the great attention of children. Also we can see that such type of learning adds creativity to the teaching field.
ReplyDeleteThe internet has somehow facilitated the life of people. Youngsters are growing along with technology, relying too much on it I would say!
ReplyDeleteAs mentioned from the above “the young students’ knowledge and understanding of specific science concepts, which are normally difficult to comprehend…” I personally think students must not be only intelligent. In fact, they must be wise that is, even if it is difficult, it is not impossible.
Relying on videos for a “better” understanding and for a better knowledge is not totally right. Unfortunately students have the tendency to give much to what they can see only!
As Albert Einstein stated in one of his quotations “I am enough of an artist to draw upon my imagination. Knowledge is limited whereas imagination encircles the whole world”.
Moreover, since the world of work has changed, people have to learn new skills and as a result people who cannot access to it, will unluckily don’t have a job. Skills are developed since very young age.
A scientific study showed that learning from videos does not really improve the thinking skills and develop the abilities. Besides, these students will depend so much on technology or videos that if the computer fails, they cannot work at all. Well, this does not mean that we should stop being updated with technology! But what we should expect is not how to facilitate the task! In fact, we must expect and focus on how we can help our children to become cleverer. A solution for this is since very young age, spoon feeding must be less and instead of videos and all, children can learn how to make simple models by the help of their teachers who obtains their salary monthly. This can result in developing the creativity of children in young age and consequently they become cleverer and smarter more rapidly.
'The primary School curriculum using the cartoon based story telling approach for students' seems to be a nice start for the modern adaptation and innovative learning system. Children will apt for the 'fun learning' session and they will, thus, more enthusiastically follow classes. I agree with the concept of 'learn by watching' stated by 'Dalacosta et al', nevertheless, there is a high risk for children to take the session as ONLY fun and be not serious when it will be needed. This will surely have a negative impact on their further professional life. Not omitting, that students will have difficulty doing their home-works.
ReplyDeleteIt is true to say that the children will find the video fun but ONLY fun, i somehow do not agree. According to me, when this video will be shown to the student, the latter will be supervised by his/her teacher. The child will not be left alone to follow the lesson. After viewing the video, the teacher can extend the lesson by advising and inspiring the student to plant a seed, water it daily and give proper sunlight to it to experience exactly what the child saw on the video.
DeleteThis new concept of video learning is an excellent initiative. The aim is to enable kids to hear the different words, understand the action of element of the words and visually enable him or her to capture the word in written. In this video, the graphics and the animations are of good quality. However the voices of the characters are mostly similar. The lesson of the story is clearly defined and interpreted. How plants need sunlight and water to grow properly and healthy. Also the actions of the kids are quite interesting. A good way of teaching small kids the basic of language.
ReplyDeleteCertainly, using "Fun" (such as cartoons, etc) to teach students of primary school is a great initiative.
ReplyDeleteAs i've learned in one of my educational technologies modules, regarding visual communication. It it a fact that one can "capture" better with the help of images (be it static or animated). Thus this whole concept will surely enhance learning.
However, i would like to point out, that currently at UOM, many lecturers are boring/dull. If we could use some "fun" mediums and even visual stuffs to communicate to students, it would have made the sessions more lively, entertaining and interacting.
Regards,
Fayyaaz
I agree that psychologically images and animation have a great impact on children. It will be beneficial of teaching could be made through such medium in all primary schools. It could contribute to a higher rate of success among children.
DeleteHowever, I partly disagree with the point that we could have such fun mediums at UOM. I agree that some lecturers can be boring and dull but we cannot deny that such visual stuff is unavailable at UOM. Indeed many classes at UOM make use of projectors. Colourful and animated presentations make our 3 hours session a bit more lively.
Children are more attracted by colours and pictures. Young readers tend to get bored quickly if they read a book which doesn't have any pictures. Thus, this prototype story-telling cartoon is an excellent medium to convey information, to deliver a lesson and to have 100% attention of the viewers. Since children love cartoons, they'll definitely take great interest in watching the video attentively and grasp the message, that is, "plants need water and sunlight to grow".
ReplyDeleteCartoon-styled application is a wise way to reach all levels of Intelligent Quotient, especially, the slow learners (those having a low level of I.Q). The students will interpret the images and they can even put themselves in the shoes of Rose and Jack. Thus, they'll get a better insight of the topic discussed.
To make the video better, it could have been lengthened with some sorts of quiz related on the subject or even a mini game activity where the students will have to water and give proper sunlight to a plant.
For example this site:
http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/gamesactivities/plantsgrow.html
This cartoon based learning video is ideal for young children apprenticeship.
ReplyDeleteIn this era of new technologies, children enjoy watching TV so they would prefer to watch a video instead of reading books. This video in slow motion might help children to understand easily. However, video increase laziness of children and they might be unwillingness to read books afterwards. In books they might have more details.
In a similar way, all children would not be able to understand the video especially if they haven’t learn how to read yet. As a matter of fact, it would be important if after watching the video teachers might help those who haven’t understand the video completely
I totally agree that cartoons should be used to help children in understanding scientific phenomenon. Sound, music, color and animation are what children like. So using them will make them learn faster and memorize it for a longer period. Moreover, children will be more interested in watching an educational video than reading lots of literature in books. Also, we definitely learn more when we are interested in it. Children love cartoons; learning from cartoons will unconsciously help them.
ReplyDeleteHowever, using English can be an issue especially for those who have lot of difficulties in it at this age. The language should be made simpler. Also, the voice should be more attractive. In the above video, the voice is not appealing at all. Moreover, the children take too much time to walk making the video too long and thus wasting time for nothing. The big problem is in terms of practicality and cost. Who will take his time to make the video? It will require some massive investment. Finally, only few subjects could be animated like this. Mathematics can’t be taught using animated cartoons.
Using videos and animations are more interesting and illustrative. They will definitely help in bridging the gap when shifting to one class level to another one; and can be be as support materials to the explanation provided by teachers.
ReplyDeleteI also agree to the fact that a soft tone should be used for the voice.
I am totally in favour with the fact that the content of the video should be made simple and illustrative so that students can easily grasp what is being taught to them. Details about the right images and soft sound being projected should be well designed as these factors do have an impact on the psychology of the student.
DeleteStory-telling cartoon is an important factor to teach students of standard 3 as the use of animated cartoons increases the young students knowledge and understanding of specific science concepts, which are normally difficult to comprehend and often causes confusions to them. Dalacosts et al.(2009) focused mainly on static cartoons and interactive animations for their research. Once more, it is in the benefit of the children to understand their lessons well.
ReplyDeleteYou are right but not only standard 3 students. In this case its about a scientific phenomenon but these cartoons also could be used to show the importance of values, culture and politeness and it can be implemented at each primary level. As you have said there will be a better understanding on the children's part and broader mindset on any particular subject matter.
DeleteI totally agree with this articles, nowadays it is very difficult to gain the attention of kids, they are no more interested in studies as they often found it boring, the educational cartoon is fun and educate them at the same time,it is a good way to gain their attention and to give them the pleasure to learn!
ReplyDeleteThis new concept is a good initiative to teach children more effectively.Videos and animation can be an essential tool to make kids understand better.Moreover, in this world of technology, children will be more interested in watching an educational video than reading lots of in books.Children are more attracted by colours and pictures.
ReplyDeleteIt is an excellent initiative by the government to promote such kind of education. It is well known that students (age groups 8-9yrs) do prefer to watch an interactive video rather than reading a textbook as it is more captivating and creates a better understanding about the topic in mind of the students.
ReplyDeleteI agree with this article when it says that though we have interactive whiteboards for primary school children, if the instructors do not how to share their knowledge, it is useless. I think that the cartoon story telling will stimulate the child’s imagination. How can we explain the fact that a children is able to remember a whole season of his favourite cartoon, but cannot even try to remember what he has done two days ago in class? All subjects should be taught by the use of cartoon as much as possible. This will motivate the children and they will produce better results.
ReplyDelete