LodeStar Learning Corporation

Can Animations Think?

What if your animated fish didn’t just swim — but reacted to its environment, got sick from poor water quality, or even got eaten by another fish?

In this article, I walk through how simple animation concepts like keyframes and state machines can power deeply interactive learning experiences — all brought to life in a simulated aquarium. 🐟

If you're an instructional designer, developer, or educator curious about combining motion, logic, and storytelling — this one’s for you.

https://lodestarlearn.wordpress.com/2025/08/07/can-animations-think/

Can Animations Think? Robert N. BilykPresident, LodeStar Learning Corporation Introduction Since the start of computer graphics in the early 1970s, animation has transformed how we communicate complex ideas. In educatio…

By Robert N. BilykLodeStar Learning Corporation Introduction The emphasis on experience in learning is everywhere today. We see it in xAPI, the Experience API that captures data from the learner’s experience. We see it in User Experience Design (UXD) with its emphasis on the user, usability, interface and visual design. We see it in a new breed of learning management system, which is the Learning Experience Platform, addressing the learner's experience needs with personalized learning paths based on the learner’s interests, skills, and career goals. ...

Experience By Robert N. BilykLodeStar Learning Corporation Introduction The emphasis on experience in learning is everywhere today. We see it in xAPI, the Experience API that captures data from the learner’s…

LodeStar Learning is committed to the spirit of this article, enabling learning experience designers and instructors to design beyond presentations and puzzles.

Beyond Presentations and Puzzles to Problems Introduction The thrill of learner experience design is in finding the tools, techniques and strategies to engage learners with designs that go well beyond presentations and puzzles.  Often le…

Animation can enrich the learning experience and, when used appropriately, improve learning outcomes. New standards and new technology under the hood of the modern browser give learning experience designers a whole new set of tools and techniques to apply to their designs. I’ll parse out the different types of animations and their uses, discuss the underlying technologies and present examples. …...

Designing with Animation Animation can enrich the learning experience and, when used appropriately, improve learning outcomes.  New standards and new technology under the hood of the modern browser give learning exper…

Introduction I recently asked ChatGPT to list the five most influential instructional designers. ChatGPT, of course, is an artificial intelligence chatbot that has grabbed the attention of the world. Locally, it was put to the test by University of Minnesota Law School. It answered questions from law school exams in several legal subject areas and when judged blindly, it earned a C+. ...

The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Learning Experience Design Introduction I recently asked ChatGPT to list the five most influential instructional designers. ChatGPT, of course, is an artificial intelligence chatbot that has grabbed the attention of the wor…

On the eve of LodeStar 10 beta release, I share some of the influences on this product.

Top Influences on the Development of LodeStar 10 Introduction Modern web pages offer designers a rich palette of media types and standards to create engaging learning experiences. The web page has become an amazing success story.  It started…

Introduction Great learning experiences can be crafted from 3D technology. The simplest form of 3D technology is the photosphere. It is accessible to teachers and trainers and can be used quite effectively. In this article, I’ll show off a demonstration project and describe the use of 3D models, a photosphere, text and graphics, video, and audio. Two years ago, I wrote about using…...

Learning Experiences in the 3rd dimension.   Introduction Great learning experiences can be crafted from 3D technology. The simplest form of 3D technology is the photosphere. It is accessible to teachers and trainers and can be used qu…

By Robert "Bob" Bilyk Introduction I recently watched Ethan Edwards present ‘Cracking the e-Learning Authoring Challenge’. This post is my attempt at cracking the e-Learning authoring challenge. But first a little background. As many of you have the privilege of knowing, Ethan Edwards is the Chief Instructional Strategist for Allen Interactions. Cracking the challenge is all about building interactivity in an authoring tool – specifically, CCAF interactivity. ...

Meeting the CCAF Challenge By Robert “Bob” Bilyk Introduction I recently watched Ethan Edwards present ‘Cracking the e-Learning Authoring Challenge’. This post is my attempt at cracking the e-Learning authoring …

Introduction At the university where I worked for eight years, occasionally I observed non-traditional students in class well into the evening, struggling to stay alert, struggling to soak it in, trying to make something better for themselves. Several years earlier, I watched a new employee at a software company resign in utter defeat. Nothing he had studied before in terms of software language, database, and mathematics prepared him for a new domain of knowledge. ...

eLearning Strategies to Support Memory Recall Introduction At the university where I worked for eight years, occasionally I observed non-traditional students in class well into the evening, struggling to stay alert, struggling to soak it in, t…

Introduction Learner Experience Design has captured the attention and the imagination of just about everybody. Some have cast learner experience design (LXD) as a discipline in direct opposition to instructional design; others consider LXD as a rebranded instructional design. My own perspective comes directly from my community of practice. For one, I worked as an instructional designer for creative studios who practiced learner experience design well before it became a thing....

Learner Experience Design Introduction Learner Experience Design has captured the attention and the imagination of just about everybody.  Some have cast learner experience design (LXD) as a discipline in direct opposit…

Introduction Some of us aren’t content with simply presenting information in a linear fashion in an online course. We have dozens of words to express what we wish to achieve: interactive, game-like, thought-provoking, challenging, problem-based…. We are also hard-pressed to find the time or the budget or the design that will fulfill our highest aspirations for eLearning. It’s easy to get discouraged – but occasionally we’re offered a strategy that works within our budget and time constraints....

Short Sims Introduction Some of us aren’t content with simply presenting information in a linear fashion in an online course.  We have dozens of words to express what we wish to achieve: interactive, gam…

LodeStar 9 Build 7 Promotes Serious eLearning

Serious eLearning: Use Interactivity to Prompt Deep Engagement Elements of Interactivity The Serious eLearning Manifesto challenges us to move beyond typical eLearning to the values  and principles of Serious eLearning.   One of those principles…