The purpose of this study was to discover similarities and differences in opinions held by secondary art teachers, secondary art students and animators on the role and character of animation in art education. The problem was to determine whether the relative neglect of animation as a part of the art curriculum has come about because the techniques and concepts associated with it are seen as difficult and/or unnecessary to implement by teachers; or whether students are unfamiliar and uninterested in animation as a field of study; or whether animation, in the opinion of professional animators, is not a suitable subject for study. The study was conducted with five secondary art teachers, nine secondary art students and three professional animators. Informants responded verbally to questions posed by the researcher. These responses were documented on a tape recorder and later transcribed for analysis. Responses from the informants generated data relating to five areas of animation: 1) defining animation, 2) potent images, 3) popular culture, 4) careers and 5) backgrounds. The study showed that although animation is a part of students1 popular culture and students are interested in it, teachers are not currently teaching it. Technical difficulties prevent them from doing so, despite the fact that they acknowledge animation as an important art form. The other findings in this study are that both teachers and students are often not consciously aware that they are watching animation; and that there are many misconceptions and prejudices associated with the medium. Implications for art education are discussed. / Education, Faculty of / Graduate

This HyperStudio animation project covers the basic concepts, techniques, and procedures in producing animation. The purpose of this program is to furnish the user with enough information that will serve as a basic foundation to produce a simple animation for themselves.