  Animation, which is basically a form of pictorial presentation, has become
the most prominent feature of technology-based learning environments. It refers
to simulated motion pictures showing movement of drawn objects. Recently,
educational computer animation has turned out to be one of the most elegant
tools for presenting multimedia materials for learners, and its significance in
helping to understand and remember information has greatly increased since the
advent of powerful graphics-oriented computers. In this book chapter we
introduce and discuss the history of computer animation, its well-known
fundamental principles and some educational applications. It is however still
debatable if truly educational computer animations help in learning, as the
research on whether animation aids learners' understanding of dynamic phenomena
has come up with positive, negative and neutral results. We have tried to
provide as much detailed information on computer animation as we could, and we
hope that this book chapter will be useful for students who study computer
science, computer-assisted education or some other courses connected with
contemporary education, as well as researchers who conduct their research in
the field of computer animation.
