Technology Tool: Stop Motion

Today the role of technology has become a tool like a pencil, hammer, or a piece of paper.  Mobile technology is becoming even more prevalent in our world and the classroom.  With the use of technology hands on project based learning can redefine how students learn.  In 2010 Apple released their first iPad since then millions have made their way into the classroom (Mango, 2015).  While there are skeptics that mobile devices in the classroom are not beneficial, it would appear that the trend is for these devices to stay.  Dr. Mango (2015) found in a student that student who used iPads in the classroom were more engaged, and collaborative leading to increasing student achievement.  Advocates of the 21st Century movement call for students to have the ability to adapt to changing technology and skills such as creativity, collaboration, innovation, and problem-solving (P21.org, n.d.).  It is important to provide students the opportunities in the classroom to use engaging technologies in the classroom that will allow them to practice such skills as creativity, innovation and problem-solving.  

With the prevalence of iPads in the classroom, this is a tool that can be used to allow students the opportunity to demonstrate knowledge.  Many apps can allow students a creative outlet, one option on the iPad is stop motion video.  This tool allows students to use an animation technique called stop motion to make a chosen object appear to move on its own. This type of project is best to enable students to demonstrate a concept that shows progress and progression (Hatten, 2014). The simplicity of stop motion photography is that students can use toys, manipulatives, illustrations or even household objects.  Students can relate to this type of projects as they are probably familiar with modern stop motion productions such as Shaun the Sheep, Wallace and Gromit, Lego Shorts or the Nightmare Before Christmas.  

With the use of readily available technology’s (my iPad), and a $4.99 Stop Motion Studio app I decided to test out the idea of making a stop motion production on my own, to see if it would be tool to use with students.   For my experiment, I decided to make a stop motion demonstration of a recipe.  I first started by preparing my storyboard, then cleaned an area for my stage, gathered my ingredients and tools.  After reading the Stop Motion Studio getting started guide, I shot my video. The ease of the tool was such that I believe any elementary student could use this tool with little guidance.

Through my experiment with stop motion on my iPad, my mind was reeling with the possibilities in the classroom.  I believe this tool could be used in almost any subject area to demonstrate a process or timeline.  From retelling a story in language arts, describing the water cycle in science, to explain fractions in math.  I believe the limits are only those of the imagination.  In 2014 Biljana Labovic reiterated in his Ted-Ed blog the how smooth and approachable stop motion is.

The drawback of this tool is that does require a device that can take video and specialized stop motion software.  In my case, I did purchase a $4.99 app, with educational bulk pricing this app would be $2.99 per student device in a classroom, and this does add up.  I can see that this activity being so easy and fun that it could be overused.  Some tools are better in moderation, and personally, I can see using this type of activity in more of a monthly event.  

I thoroughly enjoyed my testing of Stop Motion tool and hope to use this medium in the future.  Whenever I can find a tool that will allow students to become creators of content and take ownership of their own learning, I jump on. Technology redefines education when it allows students to become engaged, creative learners.  I believe Stop Motion video is one way students can demonstrate their learning and be proud of the product they will create.  Watch out for more Alaskan recipes!

 

References

Hatten, S. (2014, August 14). Engage elementary students with stop animation! Retrieved from https://www.iste.org/explore/articledetail?articleid=128

Labovic, B. (2014, March 27). How you (or your students) can use stop-motion animation in your classroom. Retrieved from http://blog.ed.ted.com/2014/03/27/how-you-or-your-students-can-use-stop-motion-animation-in-your-classroom/

Lynch Dean, Syphax School of Education, Psychology & Interdisciplinary Studies, Virginia Union University, M. (2015, March 31). Do mobile devices in the classroom really improve learning outcomes? Retrieved from http://theconversation.com/do-mobile-devices-in-the-classroom-really-improve-learning-outcomes-38740

Mango, O. (2015). Ipad use and student engagement in the classroom. TOJET : The Turkish Online Journal of Educational Technology, 14(1). Retrieved from http://gallagherkatie2.blogspot.com/

Nagel, D. (2013, November 20). Mobile study: Tablets make a difference in teaching and learning. Retrieved from https://thejournal.com/articles/2013/11/20/mobile-study-tablets-make-a-difference-in-teaching-and-learning.aspx

P21.org. (n.d.). Framework for 21st century learning. Retrieved from http://www.p21.org/our-work/p21-framework