Getting the digital natives into the realm of making is essential. In my view, it is what makes us feel human again, like building a skill for the apocalyptic!
A zoetrope is fascinating for young learners as a pre-Disney toy of illusion. With an increasingly hard-to-please generation of youngsters, instant gratification is underwhelming. How do we sustain the interest for learning becomes the question of survival (for teachers) of why even bother.
It is important that learners have a go first and learn the science and tech in a practical manner. By experiencing the phenomenon first hand, learners start to have a sense of wonder and require little prompt to explore and experiment.
Building our own zoetrope means working out the measurement, mechanism, and the visual sequencing. Learners are able to evaluate and dig deeper into an established area of interest from previous investigations.
For example, some may want to further their drawing skills and abstract the visuals; some may want to build a solid machine; some may want to host a animation show.. these learners look into the history of animation and wanted to find a good solution for turning the zoetrope, using the templates they had. I love seeing the different directions a quick project can spark our learners to become real explorers!
 |
| Thanks to our awesome Learning Assistant, Sharelle, for setting out on this adventure together. |
 |
| by OJC learners, 2018. |
On another occasion, a group enlarges the zoetrope based on a template and build a zoetrope machine that the viewers are invited to insert their own image sequence (that is the idea anyway). Working out the measurements for each material is one of the first challenges. However, when you decide to make anything big you naturally have to pull in a pool of experts to make it happen! Learners leading their own learning through inquiry is pure gold for educators as
Leading is not the same as being the leader. Being the leader means you hold the highest rank, either by earning it, good fortune or navigating internal politics. Leading, however, means that others willingly follow you—not because they have to, not because they are paid to, but because they want to. - Simon Sinek
Use a lazy Susan as the turntable, watch this zoetrope machine swifts!
How many slits for a zoetrope this size?
How many animation can you fit into one machine?
Use action photography to help make the sequencing more convincing.
Which way do you turn though?
🔥 The Art Bonfire
As far as I'm concerned, the whakapapa of Inquiry Learning could be traced to Constructivism Epistemology where, like Constructivism in Art, believes that art/knowledge is to be constructed (not 'created') by the artist/people. In the post-modern era when the definition of truth is flavoured with personal experience, and where meaning is no longer found in the knowledge economy but the people economy. So what do you make of this...
It does make me wonder about the irony of replacing a person lecturing with a video lecturing is going to help anyone learn any better. How do we have the personal experience to make meaning of 'persistence of vision'?
The real question is this - how do we help learners make connections so that the learning makes sense? One of the newest museums in France, Musée des Confluences in Lyon, curates its collection in a way that puts humanity at the heart of science. Instead of a chronological display, Musée des Confluences is more concerned with the big ideas and engages its audience in exquisite exhibits that probe into what it means to be human. My authentic experience was certainly filled with a range of human conditions 🤮 and emotions 🤓... ask me about it 🤪.
So what's the connection? Les Lyonais are very proud of their Lumière brothers who were pioneers in cinematography. Musée des Confluences houses an amazing section of animation that is a nice addition to Musée Lumière that focuses mainly on the Lumière brothers. Be prepared to get lost in candy land!!!
We may be in an era where we can take a whole lot of things for granted. Discovering something for the first time is the learning experience that should stun and surprise us beyond all expression!
Speaking of lumière... another personal favourite is the Fête des Lumières in Lyon. Just like the peculiar development of inquiry learning, I didn't go to the festival to learn about lights. But man, I learned how it feels to literally go.. or should I say, float.. with the crowd! The sensation of walking without having your feet touching the ground, the height of party spirits mixed with extreme fear.. This experience helped me make sense of the war stories I heard as a child, of how floods of people retreating to get onto the ship only to end up getting lost in a swirl of more people...
The most recent festival..
Now I am wondering, is this post ever going to end?
Yes, now - but not the inquiry.
Love it. Do it!
Yes, now - but not the inquiry.
Love it. Do it!
