CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS OF USING COMPUTER ANIMATION FOR BASIC SCIENCE EDUCATION IN JUNIOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN ANAMBRA STATE

Over the years teachers have taught their students by introducing text books along with verbal instructions in traditional education system. However, teaching and learning methods could be changed for developing Information and Communication Technology (ICT). It is time to adapt students with interactive learning system so that they can improve their learning, catching, and memorizing capabilities. It is indispensable to create high quality and realistic learning environment for students. Visual learning can be easier to understand and deal with. Emerging technologies and needs have caused visuality to become more prominent over time. Developments in computer technology contribute to the development of instructional plans to enable students learn in a variety of ways. In parallel with the increasing advances in computer technology, the use of multimedia technologies such as animation, sound, graphics and text in the educational environment is also increasing. This allows for the design of education and training by offering a wider variety of learning processes and richer educational environments for students. Developments in computer software play an important role in adding features such as sound, graphics and text to educational tools. Increasingly, educational patterns and developments use multimedia tools that incorporate educational programs and educational courses. Computer animation has a positive effect on memorizing knowledge by students. Used in the process of teaching of basic science, it is conductive to the development of mind. Animation enables the students to comprehend difficult topics easily. The objective of this paper is to define computer animation, outline the types of computer animation, find out the advantages and disadvantages of computer animation in education and describe the use of computer animation in basic science in junior secondary schools, its challenges and prospects