Tweens for Teens:
A Beginner's
Guide to Animation
Project URL: http://teachers.ithsnyc.org/hruan/TeachNet/
How it works:
This unit is designed for middle and
high school students. Basic computer skills and some understanding about
web design are required. This unit introduces
students to some basic tools to create animation for their web
projects using Photoshop and Flash. It
improves their artistic skills in design and makes their projects more
attractive and exciting. Topics covered are: the use of layers in
Photoshop; how layers are used in animation; how movies are made; and the
special uses of Flash. One 50-minutes class period is allotted for each
lesson, and four periods are needed to complete the unit. Students are
assessed by their class work, assignments, and projects. A rubric will
also be used to evaluate student work.
Standards
addressed:
Students read and write for information
using different media; apply technological knowledge and skills to design,
construct, use, and evaluate products; develop skills with a variety of
art materials, and competence in at least one medium (electronic); and use
the computer and other electronic media as designing tools and to
communicate visual ideas.
Materials
used:
Computers with Internet access, Adobe Photoshop, and
Macromedia Flash are required.
The students:
Tweens for Teens provides
step-by-step tutorials, so students work at their own pace and can also
access the site from home or the library. The visual screenshots help ESL
students to follow directions as well.
Overall value:
Animation is an exciting topic for
students. The techniques introduced here are easy to follow. Students
create their own animation for all kinds of web applications and projects.
It sparks their imagination and taps into previously undiscovered artistic
sensibilities.
Tips:
Include all necessary steps in your
instruction. Have the students who pick it up quickly teach others.
If you are combining this unit with another curricular topic, create your
own examples to use as demonstration pieces.
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About the teacher:
Henry Ruan teaches at
Lower East Side Preparatory High School. He has been involved in web
design projects with his students since 1997 and has won several citywide
web design competitions, including ThinkQuest NYC. He has also conducted
web design workshops at national and state level educational conferences.
His passion is making his teaching more meaningful for
students.
E-mail:
henryruan@hotmail.com
Subject
Areas:
Arts
Technology
Grade Levels:
8-12
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