A Character Experiential Learning System: An Animated Vignette Creating Tool

Abstract

This research aims to integrate the character education, Internet and animated vignettes into the Character Animated Vignette Electronic (CAVE) system for children in task-oriented activities to enhance their character development. Based on Leb S. Vygotsky’s Social Development Theory, Albert Bandura’s Social Learning Theory and Allan Paivio’s Dual-Coding Theory, this tool provides students with an authentic, meaningful and task-based learning environment. The CAVE system is designed as an instructional multimedia system for children to construct animated vignettes expressing their genuine experiences on campus. Meanwhile, this platform enables users to have more opportunities engaging collaboratively in Web-based editing, revising, sharing and reflecting in class. Totally 104 fifth graders participated in this study. The questionnaire, open-ended questions, and classroom observations revealed that via the CAVE system, students seemed actively to concentrate on building their own animated vignette in the fun learning process. Results showed that participants were able to construct their group-made animated vignette, and this system was easy to use and joyful to learn. Overall, students rated favorably on the system’s design of the vignette-making activity for facilitating their character comprehension and development in elementary school settings.