I feel the same way. Being animated is a great way to engage the students with the material and break the monotony of just listening to the professor read off of slides.
I also like to add stories to my lectures. When I teach anatomy I like to be animated, but I also try to create a narrative, using the various organs and systems as characters to create a plot which demonstrates their interactions. I find that students remember the stories a lot easier than just raw facts.
I can understand how this works well for you. You are engaging all of the senses, so that for those students who must "see" something to understand, they can remember what you did. Those who are listeners will have the ability to recall your voice while envisioning your concept.
Timothy,
Go for animation! I am such a teacher myself and so I can appreciate your comments in relation to how such antics engage the students as well as help them see how learning can be fun.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
