Objectif Animation is a collection of animated films from the National Bureau of Films in Canada (Office national du film du Canada).
Type of Material:
The material consists of animated short films in French.
Recommended Uses:
The films can be used to introduce students to facets of Francophone culture and authentic language, although some of the film shorts do not have any spoken French.In classes where French Canadian literature and culture are studied, these films will be extremely useful in conveying the local color.
Technical Requirements:
The films are best viewed using a broadband Internet connection, although one can set the speed under the Préférences tab. A flash player or Quick Time is required.
Identify Major Learning Goals:
Learners will observe Francophone culture and make cross-cultural comparisons.
One reviewer had beginning, Intermediate, and post-Intermediate college students review the site and students at all three levels were able to gain some understanding of the film shorts. They recommended that the shorts be used more for understanding Francophone culture and perspectives, rather than a language skills enrichment tool.
Target Student Population:
Intermediate and advanced level learners of French. The film shorts with controversial or challenging topics should be carefully previewed and topics explained in advance by the instructor
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:
No pre-requisites are required to gain a basic understanding of many of the shorts, because of the animation and the written descriptions of the films. The site is also available in English by clicking on the link in the top right corner of the page. One of the students who reviewed the site, recommended having at least beginning French to navigate and use the French site. Some films have no dialogue in them and are accessible at a variety of levels.
Content Quality
Rating:
Strengths:
The film series presents a great opportunity for educators to give students a glimpse of Canadian culture through cinema. The film on Le Chandail of Roch Carrier is an excellent example of a classic piece of literature that is "facilitated" for non-native speakers of French by wonderful animation. The site provides adequate background information and description of the film shorts in French (and in English, if needed). The films provide students some insights into global, political, social, and cultural topics from the Francophone perspective.
The films from the Anima Paix series, Dinner for two and the Bully Dance have no dialogue and therefore are wonderful candidates for re-telling, in class or for homework, in French. The same is true for The Owl that Married a Goose, a beautifully-narrated Inuit tale of two birds who fall in love, but ultimately do not stay together when the geese migrate south.
The videos show the cultural diversity of Canada as well as highlighting the familiar (Hockey mania) The shortness of the films make it easier for teachers to develop lessons around them.
Concerns:
The only concern mentioned previously is that an instructor should keep his or her audience in mind when selecting shorts and provide explanation of those that address difficult and/or controversial topics.
Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool
Rating:
Strengths:
One reviewer said "My students found the film shorts to be artful, entertaining, amusing, informative, well-made, and easy to follow because of simple plot lines. One beginning student remarked that some of the shorts could "aid the beginning French student with recognition of basic ideas and words." Another student noted that because the shorts are animated, they simplify without being childish. While some of the topics might be difficult to understand from the American point of view, this difference in perspective could be a point of departure for discussion, especially in higher-level French courses."
Concerns:
No concerns.
Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty
Rating:
Strengths:
The films are easily accessible by users, especially those with a broadband Internet connection. One of my students mentioned how the help and preferences sections (Aide, Préférences) help users understand how the site works and allow users to customize the speed and select one's video software. Another student described the site as being "well put together and basically self-explanatory." Even with a limited knowledge of French, my beginning students were able to navigate the site with ease. One of my students liked that she could go back and forth between the synopses, credits, and animation techniques.
Concerns:
No concerns.
Other Issues and Comments:
no
Creative Commons:
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