Edumation: The Development of an Animated Storytelling

This study aimed to develop an animated storytelling instructional material to enhance learners’ understanding of the Effects of the Sun to Human Activities, a topic in Grade 4 Science aligned with the Department of Education’s Most Essential Learning Competencies (MELCs). The needs assessment involved two teachers and thirty-two learners, gathering insights into their pedagogical approaches, familiarity with animated storytelling, and experiences with multimedia-based learning. Teachers reported using inquiry-based learning, experiential methods, and multimedia, particularly videos, to enhance the teaching process. However, they faced challenges with videos containing excessive information, poor-quality animations, and distracting voice-overs. Despite lacking formal training in animated storytelling, teachers recognized its educational value, noting its ability to engage learners and improve information retention. On the learners’ side, all 32 participants reported using videos in science lessons, with a significant portion expressing positive feedback on animated storytelling, describing it as engaging, fun, and helpful in understanding and retaining information. These findings highlight the potential of animated storytelling as a valuable tool for enhancing science education, emphasizing the need for high-quality, well-designed resources that can further enrich the teaching and learning experience.