13.11 Creating Animations in Studio

Studio mode lets you create simple animated videos that explain concepts, demonstrate processes, or engage students with visual learning. These animations are useful for making ideas more accessible through visual movement.

What are Studio Animations

Studio animations are simple animated video explanations with visual movement, narration, and on-screen text. They work like short educational videos tailored to your specific curriculum and students.

Common uses:

• Explaining concepts visually
• Demonstrating step-by-step processes
• Creating engaging lesson starters or hooks
• Making ideas more concrete
• Supporting visual learners
• Providing alternative explanations
• Creating flipped classroom content
• Building lesson engagement and interest

How to Create an Animation

Step-by-step:

• Open Studio mode with relevant curriculum and files.
• Select "Animation".
• Configure generation options (see Generation Options below).
• Click "Create Resource".
• Preview the animation.
• Download as MP4 video file.
• Share via LMS, email, or display in class.

Generation Options

Visual Style:

Select the style that best fits the concept:

• Diagrammatic: Schematic representation ideal for technical concepts
• Character-based: Animated characters demonstrating or explaining
• Flowchart: Step-by-step process visualization
• Minimalist: Clean, simple visual approach

Concept to Visualise:

A free-text field where you describe what you want the animation to achieve.

For example:

• "Create an engaging animation to teach students about the water cycle"
• "Generate a visual explanation of photosynthesis for Year 7 students"
• "Make an animated demonstration of how fractions work"

Outcome-Focused Teaching Examples

Standard uses:

Example 1: Concept explainer for difficult ideas

• Add Year 8 Science outcomes on photosynthesis
• Create animation: "90-second explanation of photosynthesis using simple diagrams showing the process step-by-step, with clear narration and key terms highlighted"
• Show at start of lesson to introduce concept
• Students watch again at home for revision

Result: Complex biological process made visual and accessible, reducing cognitive load.

Example 2: Engaging lesson hook

• Add Year 6 Maths outcomes on percentages
• Create animation: "45-second dynamic animation showing real-world uses of percentages in shopping, sports, and games, ending with question: 'How do we calculate these?'"
• Play at lesson start to generate interest
• Launch into teaching

Result: Students engaged and curious about practical applications before learning the skill.

Example 3: Step-by-step process demonstration

• Add Year 9 English outcomes on essay structure
• Create animation: "2-minute animation showing the process of planning and writing an essay paragraph, with visual of thinking, drafting, and refining stages"
• Show during explicit teaching
• Post in LMS for students to reference during writing

Result: Abstract writing process made concrete and replayable.

Creative uses with progression data:

Example 4: Differentiated concept explanations

• Add Year 7 Maths class progression data
• Add algebra outcomes
• Create three animations:
  • Basic version: "90-second animation explaining solving simple equations with concrete visual examples, slow pace, simple language"
  • Standard version: "90-second animation on solving equations at year-level, standard pace"
  • Advanced version: "2-minute animation on solving complex equations with multiple steps, faster pace"
• Assign appropriate version to each student group

Result: Every student gets explanation at their level, visual learning supports understanding.

Example 5: Personalized intervention videos

• Add individual student data showing specific misconception about fractions
• Add Year 5 fractions outcomes
• Create animation: "60-second animation directly addressing the common error of adding numerators and denominators, showing why this doesn't work and what to do instead, with clear examples"
• Send to students making this mistake

Result: Targeted intervention addressing exact misconception, students can watch repeatedly.

Example 6: Absent student catch-up

• Add today's lesson plan and outcomes
• Create animation: "2-minute animation summarising today's Year 10 Chemistry lesson on chemical bonding, covering key concepts taught, with visuals and examples from class"
• Send to absent students with note: "Watch this to catch up on today's lesson"

Result: Absent students don't fall behind, visual explanation supplements written notes.

Using Animations in Teaching

Lesson starters:

• Play short animation to hook interest
• Pose question or problem shown in animation
• Launch into teaching that solves or explains

Explicit teaching support:

• Show animation during explanation
• Pause to discuss key points
• Replay sections students find confusing

Flipped learning:

• Students watch animation at home
• Come to class with foundation understanding
• Class time for practice and questions

Differentiation tool:

• Different students watch different versions
• All learn same concept, appropriate level
• Students can self-select if appropriate

Revision resource:

• Build library of animations on key concepts
• Students watch before tests
• Visual memory aids recall

Station rotations:

• Animation at one station with headphones
• Students work independently through content
• Teacher available at other stations

Teacher Tips

• Keep animations short: 60-90 seconds is often ideal, attention spans matter
• One concept per animation: Focused content works better than comprehensive coverage
• Use for difficult concepts: Save animation creation for ideas students typically struggle with
• Preview before sharing: Check accuracy, pace, and appropriateness
• Combine with other resources: Animation plus worksheet, discussion, or practice
• Build a library: Create animations for commonly taught tricky concepts to reuse
• Get student feedback: Ask if animations helped understanding
• Consider accessibility: Include captions for hearing-impaired students
• Watch as a class first: Introduce animation together before independent viewing

Practical Workflow Examples

Concept introduction routine:

For each new complex concept, create short animation introducing it visually. Show in class, then post for student review at home.

Weekly challenge hook:

Start each week with engaging animation posing real-world problem. Students motivated to learn skills to solve it.

Intervention sequence:

When formative assessment shows common confusion, create animation addressing that specific misconception. Share with class or targeted students.

Integration with Other Studio Features

Animations + Quizzes:

Students watch animation, then complete quiz checking understanding of animated content.

Animations + Flash Cards:

Animation introduces concept, flash cards help memorize key terms or steps shown.

Animations + Documents:

Create worksheet or note-taking guide to accompany animation, students complete while watching.

Animations + Podcasts:

Provide both visual (animation) and audio (podcast) explanations of same concept for different learning preferences.

Animations + Student Data:

Use progression data to create animations targeting specific gaps or misconceptions in your class.

Troubleshooting

If animation is too fast or slow:

• Adjust pace setting
• Change length to allow more or less time
• Request "clear pauses between concepts"

If visuals don't match explanation:

• Be more specific about what visuals should show
• Add detailed files or notes about concept to Studio
• Request regeneration with clarification

If too simple or complex:

• Adjust complexity setting
• Specify student year level and ability
• Use progression data to inform appropriate level

If narration isn't clear:

• Request "clear, slow narration"
• Try different voice options
• Use captions to supplement audio

If students find animations unhelpful:

• Make them shorter and more focused
• Ensure they directly relate to class teaching
• Check they're not too childish or too advanced for age group
• Pair with active learning, not just passive watching

When to Use Animations vs Other Content Types

Use animations when:

• Concepts involve movement, process, or change over time
• Abstract ideas need visual representation
• Students struggle with text-heavy explanations
• You want to engage visual and kinesthetic learners
• Demonstrating step-by-step procedures
• Making connections between ideas explicit

Use other content when:

• Information is primarily factual (use documents)
• Students need hands-on practice (use worksheets)
• Testing understanding (use quizzes)
• Memorization of terms (use flash cards)
• Detailed reference material (use documents)

Everyday Example

Creating animations in Studio is like having a professional educational video producer who can take your teaching explanation and turn it into an engaging visual. Instead of spending hours learning video editing software or settling for generic YouTube videos that don't quite match your curriculum, you describe what concept you want explained, and Studio creates a tailored animated video. It's like having those perfect "aha moment" explanations you give in class captured on video, made visual, and available for students to replay as many times as they need. The animation does the explaining work while you focus on teaching students how to apply the concept.