Introduction to Animation on the iPad using Keynote (Flex Class)

In this 4-week online Flex Class, students will learn how to create animated video scenes on their iPads using the free Apple Keynote app. This class is geared towards students who have never used Keynote before or who have some experience with Keynote and would like to improve their skills and learn new tricks to create animations. Although Keynote is an app that is primarily used to make presentations, it also has many creative features that will let you design cool animated effects! 

Please note that this is NOT a live instruction class - all instruction will be done in the Outschool classroom using informational posts, pre-recorded video tutorials, and online discussion. This class is perfect for students who would like to work independently at their own pace on projects or who are in a different time zone than the instructor.

Each week a different animation project will be taught that will include new techniques for creating animations in Keynote. The class also will have posted weekly online discussions about the skills being learned, the chance for students to learn from and give feedback to classmates about their projects, an optional enrichment animated video project skill or idea, and personal feedback from the teacher. I always enjoy seeing the creative things that my students make!

Class Requirements: 
*An iPad and the free Apple Keynote app (iOS15/Keynote11) downloaded in advance onto their iPad:
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/keynote/id361285480   (NOTE: The videos for this class were created using iOS15/Keynote11. There was an update to iOS16/Keynote12 in November of 2022. A few menu items in Keynote have moved to new locations. If you have updated to iOS16 or have a new iPad as of 11/22, I have provided both written and video instructions to show the new locations, but the instructional videos reflect the older iOS15/Keynote11 version of Keynote. If you have not updated to iOS16, I suggest that you wait until after the class has been completed.)
*A separate computer or screen (not the iPad they are using for their animation project) to watch the lesson.
*Optional - an Apple Pencil or other stylus can be used for the drawing parts of the lessons (Lesson3), but is not required.

Week 1 - Animated Nature Scene:
Students will learn to:
1) Begin a new Keynote project.
2) Set up a colored slide background.
3) Add, format, and arrange shapes to design a landscape background.
4) Add and format animal shapes.
5) Learn how to animate animal shapes to move in your scene.
6) Add a custom path for an animal or object.
7) Save and share their animated project as a video clip.
(NOTE: If students have already completed my first individual Keynote iPad Animation Class for Beginners, they can be given some other options that they can do for this first project - just let me know.)

Week 2 - Animated Robot: 
1) Design a robot using many shapes.
2) Customize shapes by breaking them apart and grouping them.
3) Add animations to shapes.
4) Customize, group, and automate animations to occur.
5) Duplicate slides.
6) Add Magic Move animation transitions between slides to create new animated movements.
7) Save and share their animated project as a video.

Week 3 - Animated SuperHero:
1) Use and customize the drawing tools in Keynote to draw.
2) Use a Keynote shape as a base to draw a superhero character.
3) Animate your drawing using the line drawing feature.
4) Design and animate a logo and a superpower tool for your character.
5) Add animated actions to make your superhero jump or fly.
6) Add a second character and animate a short battle scene.

Week 4 - Animated Text Storybook:
1) Use Keynote templates to begin a project.
2) Type and format text to create a title page.
3) Animate text boxes to create an animated title.
4) Program transitions to move from one slide to the next. 
5) Add cartoon speech bubbles to characters to show a conversation using text.
6) Animate the speech bubbles to appear in a sequence to tell the story.
7) Record and program audio recordings to play along with the story.

Class Schedule:
Monday: The weekly lesson animation example will be shared, along with written directions and links to video tutorials for the assignment. Students can work through the video lessons at their own pace throughout the week. 
Wednesday: Class discussion questions - check in on how it is going, sharing of favorite things being learned, brainstorming ideas for animations, etc.
Friday: Enrichment project idea and/or skill tutorial posted - these are optional but are ideas that can help motivated, advanced students take their skills to the next level or to work on a related project video.
All Week: Students may post their projects anytime they are completed. The teacher and students can interact with each other in the classroom. 
Sunday: Please post your completed animation project in the classroom by Sunday if you would like to share it with the teacher and your classmates.

Teacher to Student Interaction: The teacher will be available throughout the week to respond to questions and comments. She will lead discussions to help students think creatively about their animated projects. She will provide feedback on projects by encouraging student strengths and sharing suggestions of things students could adjust or try to enhance their project.

Student to Student Interaction: Students will have the opportunity to participate in thought-provoking discussions to stretch their creativity and skills. They can view their classmates' projects and ask questions to learn from each other "How did you do that?" They can encourage each other by constructively commenting on what they liked about the projects that are posted in the classroom.

Please note that this class will be taught on an iPad. If you would like to learn how to create these animations using Keynote on a Mac computer, the steps are slightly different. Please contact me and perhaps we can arrange a time for a personalized private class using Keynote on the Mac computer.

I have used the Apple Keynote app to create animations on my iPad for many years and use it frequently to make informative and fun videos for lessons and for myself. I have also worked with many students teaching them how to use this powerful, creative, and fun app to create animated videos. I would love to share what I have learned with new students so they can produce their own amazing animations!