Effect of Computer Animation Instruction on Spatial Visualization Performance

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of a sixteen week long animation class on spatial visualization performance. The students in the treatment group were provided instruction consisting of four hours of lecture/lab each week. Lecture/Lab consisted of lessons on the fundamentals, history, and techniques of animation. The students were provided instruction in and opportunity to use three different animation packages (Flash ®, TrueSpace ®, and 3D Studio Max ®).

The spatial visualization performance of the students in the animation group was compared to a control group of students in a Foundation of Graphics (GC120) class.

A paired T-test was completed on each group to determine progress made within each group. An Independent Samples T-test was used to make a comparison between the animation test group and the control group.

When H0: animation group = control group was tested, analysis indicated that no significant difference existed between the groups. This research requires a larger sample size and a different test instrument to repeat the study.