Natural science slip-ups in animated films and cartoons

摘要

Children start watching cartoons very early and see them everywhere, i.e. at home and in their learning environment. Animated films and cartoons have a strong motivational force that can help children learn many things. It is important to note, however, that animated films usually try to imitate reality and thus show things, phenomena and events differently than they are in reality. Errors depicting something that is contrary to reality shall be called natural science slip-ups in animated films. Such slip-ups are subconsciously etched into children's memory and can lead to misconceptions or wrong understanding of situations and principles of nature. Every child has a different way of building his perception and functioning of the world depending on his cognitive development and experience.ududThe theoretical part of the master's thesis describes animation and explains the notions related to animated films and cartoons. Moreover, it provides insight into the influence of media and animated films on children and discusses cartoons as teaching aids. It also summarises certain findings of various authors on the most common misconceptions pupils have in the field of natural sciences.ududAs for the empirical part, it focuses on recognising and analysing natural science errors as well as classifying and assessing them. It presents possible misconceptions that children may get from watching cartoons. Special attention is devoted to topics that are part of curricula in terms of learning about the environment and natural sciences and technology in the first six grades of primary school. The analysis included ten cartoons that have been very popular among children recently. The analysis and assessment of misconceptions were further supported with the analysis of responses of children attending the third grade of the Bršljin Primary School in Novo Mesto. The descriptive and causal non-experimental method was used in addition to the qualitative research approach.ududThe research indicated that children notice certain slip-ups and usually react with emotions (laughter, surprise, joy). In addition, they seem to be aware of the fact that certain events in cartoons are depicted in an unreal manner. They are also able to critically assess such slip-ups and sometimes even explain why something is impossible in reality. When interpreting slip-ups, children usually use their own ideas and conceptions. They also require encouragement from their teacher because they lack sufficient knowledge and terminology to understand and describe a slip-up.ud