Creating a narrated stop-motion animation to explain science: The affordances of “Slowmation” for generating discussion

Abstract

This case study investigated the nature of the discussions generated when three preservice primary teachers made a narrated stop-motion animation called “Slowmation” to explain the science concept of moon phases. A discourse analysis of the discussion during construction demonstrated that the preservice teachers posed many questions, propositions and ideas facilitated by four affordances of the process: (i) a need to understand the science in order to explain it; (ii) making models; (iii) stopping to check information; and (iv) sharing personal experiences. Slowmation is a simplified way of making animations that has four affordances to promote discussion resulting in scientific reasoning.