Using Stykz to Model Biological Processes

Caitlin KiltsThe Hewitt School

Outline of PresentationWho am I?Why model?What are the benefits of the Stykz program?How do I use Stykz?What would a Stykz animation grading rubric

look like?What are some ideas for using Stykz?Let’s play!

Why use models?Helps students actively engage with the materialDecreases reliance on rote memorizationAddresses multiple learning modalitiesIncreases/deepens comprehensionDecreases “activation energy” for learning a new

conceptTeacher as guide, not lecturerFacilitates environment of partnership, not hierarchyAllows for more honest analysis of students’

understandingReduces reliance on testing for student evaluation

Benefits of the Stykz ProgramFreeware- free to download and useMulti-platformSimple, negligible learning curveAllows for easy assessment of comprehension

and misconceptionsFrame based/onion skin layersCompatible with pivotCan be used with any grade level

Getting StartedGo to http://www.stykz.net/ to download the

program (for PCs and Macs)

Beginning Your AnimationUse their “Create

Your First Animation” tutorial

Select “Default Document” if you would like a Stykz figure to start with

Select “Blank Document” if you want to start from scratch

Getting the hang of the program

Drag nodes Pivot nodes

Segment

Frame Palette Create new frame

Creating a new slideUse drag node

to move whole shape

Use pivot node to move individual segments

When a shape is selected the pivot nodes will change from blue to red

For a smoother animation, make tiny changes

Repeat, repeat, repeat

New Leg Position

Old Leg Position

New Frame (current one)

CommandsPlay: runs

through the animation (this is just a preview)

Add Stykz figure: gives you a new little guy

Add Piv 2 figure: give you a new little guy, but with thinner lines

Current figure: To use only on highlighted figure

Affects the whole figure (unless you use special arrow)

Note for color:

The tools on the side…

Select (select one or more figures)

Subselect (select one specific segment)

Polyfill (connect nodes to make filled polygons)

Add line (add a line to an existing node)

Add circle (add a circle to an existing node)

Saving!To save as QuickTime movie: File> Export

AnimationBe sure you have QuickTime installed on your

computer!

Make sure that you chose your animation speed carefully! Don’t make it super-sonic!

Animated GIF works well also

Things to remember!Do not “click and

drag” when creating new shapes, just click and click again

IMPORTANT: If you add a shape to an earlier slide, it is not automatically added to all following slides!

Save early, save often

Save multiple versions…if you’re trying something new, save the old version, just in case

Some useful articlesMarbach-Ad, Gili, Yosi Rotbain, and Ruth Stavy. "Using

Computer Animation and Illustration Activities to Improve High School Students' Achievement in Molecular Genetics."Journal of Research in Science Teaching 45.3 (2008): 273-92

Newman, Penny, and Ed Peile. "Valuing Learners' Experience and Supporting Further Growth: Educational Models to Help Experienced Adult Learners in Medicine." BMJ325.7357 (2002): 200-02.

Ornek, Funda. "Models in Science Education: Applications of Models in Learning and Teaching Science." International Journal of Environmental & Science Educatio3.2 (2008): 35-45. IJESE. Web. <http://www.ijese.com>.

Pellegrino, James. "Knowing What Students Know." Issues in Science and Technolog XIX.2 (2003): 48-52.