A Block Diagram Computer Language for Educational Animations

Computer animation has great potential for the production of instructional aids. However, the sophistication of modern computer animation systems may be inappropriate in the educational environment, which has special requirements of low cost, simplicity and accessibility. A particular system which was designed to these requirements is described. A novel feature of the language is that it uses a block diagram description of the images and the motion. The experience of two years of using this system as a production tool is summarized.