Animated Instructional Videos:
Your 24/7 AI Teaching Assistants
start
Lars Introduces us:
The evolution of Lars the Bear
The evolution of Lars the Bear
Audio
Embedded content
Highlighted phrase
Table + text
Interactive question
Section
List / processes
Relevant data
Conclusions
Video
Línea de tiempo
Close
Text + icons
Why AI animated videos?
"The question is not whether AI will replace teachers. The question is, how will teachers who leverage AI to foster creativity and independence redefine what's possible in the classroom?"
Hello, everyone! I’m thrilled to be here at TCEA to talk about one of my favorite topics: using AI tools to create engaging, independent learning experiences for our students.
To show you how far we can push engagement, let me introduce you to my teaching assistant. His name is Lars Bear.
Now, that was Lars's humble beginning. A good lesson, a friendly voice, but Lars had a problem. He had big ideas, but a very flat presence. He was just a picture on a screen. He could explain the concept, but he wasn’t very engaging. Our students deserved more. We needed to help Lars evolve.
Our first step was giving Lars a voice—literally. We used a tool like Adobe Express Animate Character to give him a simple but crucial upgrade: a moving mouth.
This was Lars Bear 2.0. He was no longer a flat file. He could move when he spoke, adding a subtle layer of engagement that drew students in. The math concepts didn't change, but suddenly, students were paying just a little bit closer attention.
But Lars was ambitious! He realized that to truly explain a tricky concept, he needed to do more than just talk. He needed movement.
This is Lars Bear 3.0! Using the full power of Adobe Express character animation, Lars can now gesture, and talk, and fully embody the lesson. He can use his whole body to illustrate the steps of a mini-lesson. He has gone from a picture with a voice to a fully animated teaching partner. His explanations of complex procedures became clearer and more compelling.
Then, we introduced the ultimate evolution. We asked an AI Video creator, Gemini, in this case, to take Lars to a whole new dimension, literally.
Meet Lars Bear 4.0: the 3D, interactive educator! He is no longer confined to a flat video screen. He can interact, he can move in three dimensions, and he can be the centerpiece of a truly immersive, independent learning experience for the student. Imagine a student interacting with this character, asking him questions, and having him demonstrate motion and movement to explain a hard-to-visualize concept.
But the Lars Bear journey is just one example. The tools available to us today allow any educator to bring characters to life.
My final example showcases the power of another tool, Vidnoz AI animation. Here, you see a completely different character, designed specifically to explain the step-by-step process of a new math concept. The key takeaway is: whether it's Lars or another character, AI is making it simple and fast to create a dynamic, animated, and highly effective teaching tool that students can engage with on their own time.
Bridging the Gap:
From Concept to Classroom
So, we've seen Lars Bear evolve from a simple voiceover to a fully interactive 3D character. That's a huge leap in engagement.
But you might be thinking, "That looks complicated," or "I don't have time for that."
Here is the good news. Creating these high-quality, engaging videos for independent learning is now easier, faster, and more accessible than ever before, thanks to AI.
Why AI Characters?
The Power of Engagement
Why AI Characters?
The Power of Engagement
EXAMPLES OF USE
- genially
Ready to see exactly how fast this is? Let’s start at the beginning. I'm going to take you step-by-step through creating your very own talking character using Adobe Express Character Animator right now.
Exercise 1: Using a screen recording tool record a video describing steps in a problem your students would solve.
Lars: In the Beginning
Voiceover
Screen Capture tool
EXAMPLE
Now it is time for our WE DO time? Let's start at the beginning.
Exercise 2:Using ElevenLabs record a voiceover that will be used to give directions on solving a problem.
ElevenLabs AI Voice
AI generated voiceover creator
EXAMPLE
Exercise 3: We are going to use Adobe Express to help us create our own animated teaching assistant
Adding Animation
Lars 2.0 and Lars 3.0
Animating the mouth
EXAMPLE
Let's continue building our AI assistant videos.
Exercise 4:In this activity I want you to animate the entire charatcter using Adobe Express Animate
Full Character Animation
Animated Characters
EXAMPLE
Exercise 5: Your choice of Gemini AI or Google Vids, create a usable prompt that will create a working 3D character for your lesson.
Lars 4.0
Using Gemini or Google Vids
Creating 3D characters
Using AI generated 3D characters
EXAMPLE
Exercise 6:Create a video using an AI generator such as Vidnoz to explain a problem.
AI Created characters
AI generator, ie VidNoz
Animated Characters
EXAMPLE
Relevant Data
50%
from our brain is involved in the processing of visual stimuli.
+ info
Represent your data in the simplest way: choose your chart, organize the figures and paste them into Genially.
20XX
20XX
20XX
Use timelines...
Structure
Develop
Plan
+ info
+ info
+ info
To tell stories in an orderly, hierarchical, structured, and concise manner.
20XX
20XX
20XX
20XX
Comunica
Evalúa
Enseña
Diseña
+ info
+ info
+ info
+ info
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Timeline
Step 4
Step 5
You can briefly describe the timeline of your presentation and orally present the milestones achieved so that no one falls asleep.
Graph + text
Graphics are highly shareable, making them perfect for social media. And as if that weren't enough: they often generate high-quality traffic to the content we create.
50%
of our brain is involved in processing visual stimuli.
Use graphics in your presentation
+85k
+45k
+ 190
This is how you'll keep your class engaged
You can express numbersin this way
Even though you explain it orally later
Table + Text
Interactivity and animation can be your best allies when creating tables.
Use tables and infographics
Visual communication is a key tool. We find it easier to 'read' images than to read written text. That's why disciplines like Visual Thinking facilitate knowledge organization through the use of images, graphs, infographics, and simple drawings.
List / Processes
Synthesis and organization, the two pillars for presenting
01
03
02
Narrative beings
We arevisual beings
Socialbeings
We need to interact with each other. We learn collaboratively.
We have thousands and thousands of stories. ⅔ of our conversations are stories.
We are able to understand images that are millions of years old, even from other cultures.
+ info
+ info
+ info
Measure results and experiment
Generate learning experienceswith your content
Illustrate what you want to tell
Make your content more memorable
+ info
+ info
Make your class think and learn
Interactivity + animation = motivation
Keeps the brain awake
Allow to synthesize content
+ info
+ info
Inserta video
Multimedia content is essential in a presentation to leave everyone jaw-dropped. Additionally, it helps to summarize the content and entertain your audience.
Text + icons
While you shouldn't abuse bullet points, icons and diagrams can be great allies when it comes to telling stories.
It has a WOW effect.Very WOW.
Measure results and experiment
Generate experiences with your content
It is organized, hierarchical, and structured
Make your audience remember the message
Activate and amazeyour audience
Illustrating the contents is essential
Visual beings
Narrative beings
Social Beings.
Digital Beings
Audio
Your content grabsif it's interactive
Here you can put a highlighted title
Here you can put a highlighted title
Include background music, audio, or sound effects here... Always adds value!
Multimedia content is essential to achieve a WOW effect in your classes
Inserted content
Map
Social network
Music
Conclusions
'Your content is appealing, but it becomes much more engaging when it's interactive'
Interactivity and animation can be your best allies when creating tables, infographics, or graphics that help provide context to the topic or unit, as well as simplify the information to make it more understandable. We are visual beings and it is easier for us to 'read' images than to read written text.
- Genially
Remember to publish!
Home to the Tallest, Largest, AND Oldest Trees! 🌲 California is the champion of giant trees! It is home to the world's tallest tree (a coastal redwood named Hyperion), the world's largest tree by volume (a Giant Sequoia named General Sherman), and some of the world's oldest living trees (Bristlecone Pines that are over 4,850 years old!).
Using the Windows+Shift+S snipping tool to record a short how to video.
Home of the Star Spangled Banner. Maryland is the birthplace of the U.S. National Anthem! During the War of 1812, an attorney named Francis Scott Key watched the British bombardment of Fort McHenry new Baltimore. Seeing the American flag still flying the next morning inspired him to write the poem that became 'The Star-Spangled Banner'.
It is home to the windiest mountain on Earth! Mount Washington i New Hampshire holds the world record for the highest wind speed ever redcdorded on land that was not caused by a tornado or hurricane. In 1934, winds were recorded at 231 miles per hour on the mountain's summit.
Measure resultsand experiment
Illustrate what you want to tell
If you want to provide additional information or develop the content in more detail, you can do so through your oral presentation. We recommend that you practice your voice and rehearse: the best improvisation is always the most worked!
It Once Had a Law for Its Name's Pronunciation! 📣 The state's name is spelled "Arkansas" but is pronounced Ar-kan-saw (with a silent 's' at the end). This difference led to so much debate and confusion in the 1800s that the state legislature passed a law in 1881 officially decreeing how the state's name must be pronounced!
It's the Cheesehead State! 🧀 Wisconsin is famously known as "America's Dairyland" and produces more cheese than any other state in the U.S. Because of this, fans of the Green Bay Packers football team proudly wear foam "Cheeseheads" on their heads, a nickname that started as an insult but was proudly embraced by the locals!
It Has Two River Borders! 🏞️ Iowa is the only state in the U.S. that is bordered entirely by two major rivers running parallel to each other. The Missouri River forms the border on the west, and the great Mississippi River forms the border on the east!
You Can Visit the Center of North America! 🗺️ The Geographic Center of the Contiguous United States (the 48 connected states) is located near the town of Lebanon, Kansas. And, the point used to calculate all property lines and boundaries across North America (called the North American Datum) is near the town of Osborne!
Include infographics in your creations
Using graphics and infographics helps to reinforce knowledge. A plus: try to always include the source. Also, did you know that your students also remember 10% of what they hear, 20% of what they read? Make your content interactive!
It's the Only State Named After a U.S. President! 🏛️ Washington is the only state named after a U.S. President: George Washington! The original territory was briefly called "Columbia," but the name was changed to avoid confusion with the District of Columbia.
It's the Top State for Native American Tribes! 🦅 The name "Oklahoma" comes from the Choctaw words okla (people) and humma (red), meaning "Red People." Today, Oklahoma has the largest population of Native American people and is the tribal headquarters for 39 federally recognized tribes.
An awesome presentation:
- Improve comprehension on any topic.
- Engage the whole class...
- And keep their attention until the end.
- Include visual elements relevant to the topic.
- Present data and information visually.
- Use interactivity to delve into concepts.
Did you know...
Does the window allow for adding more extensive content? You can enrich your genially by incorporating PDFs, videos, text... The content of the window will appear when you click on the interactive element. Multimedia content is essential to achieve a WOW effect in your classes. Include a soundtrack, audio or sound effects here...
Always add up!
It Was Almost the Same State as South Dakota! 📜 North Dakota and South Dakota were admitted to the Union on the very same day—November 2, 1889. President Benjamin Harrison shuffled the papers before signing them so that no one would know which state became official first. As a result, they are officially numbered by the order of the alphabet: North Dakota is the 39th state and South Dakota is the 40th.
It's the Land of Lincoln 🎩 Illinois's official state slogan is "Land of Lincoln" because Abraham Lincoln spent 31 years of his life there and launched his entire political career from the state capital, Springfield. He is the only U.S. President to have been elected from Illinois, and he is also buried in Springfield.
It's the Birthplace of Aviation. Ohioans Orville and Wilbur Wright invented and built the world's first successful airplane in Dayton, Ohio. The state proudly celebrates this history with the motto, "Ohio-Birthplace of Aviation"
It's the 'Mother of Presidents". Virginia is the birthplace of eight U.S. Presidents, more than any other state in the nation! The list includes the first four presidents: G. Washington, T. Jefferson, J. Madison and J. Monroe.
New York City was the first US Capital! New York City was the first capital of the United States after the Constitution was ratified. In 1789 George Washington was sworn in as the very first US President on the balcony of Federal Hall in New York City.
Why AI Characters?
When we create independent learning modules, we're asking students to tackle concepts on their own time, at their own pace. We need to maximize their focus. And that's where the animated character shines .- It's Personal: An animated character, like Lars, provides a friendly, consistent face that students can connect with. It feels less like a sterile textbook and more like a one-on-one tutoring session. - It Commands Attention: Humans are wired to watch things that move. A static lesson is easy to tune out. An animated character gives the student a focal point that keeps their eyes on the screen, ready to absorb the lesson. - It Demystifies Complexity: Especially in math, movement helps. Lars can point to the key part of an equation, walk through the steps of an algorithm, or demonstrate a geometric transformation—making abstract concepts concrete.This is more than just fun; it's a strategic way to increase student persistence and reduce cognitive load in an independent setting.
It's the smallest state----by far. Rhode Island is the smallest state in the US by a total area, measuring only about 37 miles wide and 48 miles long. You could fit the entire state of Rhode Island into Alaska over 400 times.
Did you know...
Does the window allow for adding more extensive content? You can enrich your genially by incorporating PDFs, videos, text... The content of the window will appear when you click on the interactive element. Multimedia content is essential to achieve a WOW effect in your classes. Include a soundtrack, audio or sound effects here...
Always add up!
Using the Windows+Shift+S snipping tool to record a short how to video.
Texas Was Its Own Country! 🤠 Before becoming a U.S. state, Texas was an independent nation known as the Republic of Texas from 1836 to 1845. This history is why Texas is known by its nickname, the "Lone Star State," and its state flag has just one star.
It's the birthplace of the Kentucky Derby and "Happy Birthday". Kentucky is home to the Kentucky Derby, the longest-running horse race in the U.S. (since 1875). It's also the birthplace of the song "Happy Birthday to You", originally written as "Good Morning to All" by two sisters from Louisville in 1893.
Tool Breakdown
Now, let's get practical. To show you how you can create your own version of Lars Bear—or a whole cast of supporting characters—we’re going to look at the process and the tools I used. You don't need to be a graphic designer or a professional animator. You just need to know where to click.
I’ve organized these tools based on the complexity and the level of engagement they offer:
For the Quick Voiceover: The initial Lars Bear was created using a simple, high-quality AI Voice Generation tool [You can insert the name of the tool you used, e.g., WellSaid Labs, ElevenLabs, etc.]. This is your starting point—great voice, minimal effort.
For Simple Animation (Lars 2.0): This is where you get the moving mouth. We used Adobe Express Character Animator. You upload your image (Lars), upload your audio, and the AI handles the lip-syncing. It takes literally minutes.
For Full Character Animation (Lars 3.0): Still in Adobe Express, you can now select a full pre-built character or use your own image for more dynamic movement, gestures, and backgrounds.
For 3D Interaction (Lars 4.0): The breakthrough here was using Gemini to transform a simple 2D image into an interactive, 3D model. This is where AI opens the door to creating assets for virtual reality or advanced interactive lessons.
For Complete Video Production: Finally, the Vidnoz AI Animation example shows a platform designed to quickly generate explainer videos with talking avatars from a simple text script. This is ideal for quickly producing a large library of mini-lessons.
Home to Two of the World's Biggest Sculptures! 🗿 South Dakota is famous for Mount Rushmore, which features the faces of four U.S. presidents carved into a mountain. It is also the site of the Crazy Horse Memorial, which is still being carved and will be the largest mountain carving in the world when finished!
The first hamburger was invented in Connecticut. The modern hamburger was reportedly invented in New Haven, Connecticut., in 1900 at a small lunch counter called Louis' Lunch. The owner, Louis Lassen, put grilled ground steak trimmings between two pieces of toast for a customer who was in a hurry.
It has the most visited National Park in the U.S. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park in the entire United States.
It Has More Bison Than People! 🐃 Wyoming is the least populated state in the U.S. (by far!), meaning it has fewer residents than any other state. In fact, if you count all the bison living in Yellowstone National Park and other areas of the state, there are more bison and cattle than there are human residents!
It Produces the Most Potatoes! 🥔 Idaho is the top producer of potatoes in the United States. Its unique combination of rich, volcanic soil and clear, mountain-fed irrigation water makes for ideal growing conditions. The Idaho Potato has become a world-famous brand!
It's Home to the Driest Place in North America! 🏜️ Nevada is the driest state in the U.S., receiving less than 10 inches of rain each year on average. It also contains most of Death Valley National Park, which is the hottest and driest spot in North America. The name Nevada itself means "snow-covered" in Spanish, which is strange for a desert, but it refers to the high Sierra Nevada mountains on its western border!
Generate learning experiences with your content
They make your content more memorable
Use graphics in your presentation. Data, figures, numbers… can also be displayed visually, interactively, and animated. And that has a great advantage: you will simplify the information and make it more understandable for the whole class.
Make your class think and learn
Keeps the brain awake
Interactivity and animation can be your best allies when creating tables, infographics, or charts that help provide context to the topic or unit, as well as simplify information to make it more understandable. We are visual beings and find it easier to 'read' images than to read written text.
Did you know?
Does the window allow for the addition of wider content? You can enrich your genially by incorporating PDFs, videos, text... The content of the window will appear when clicking on the interactive element. Multimedia content is essential to achieve a WOW effect in your classes. Include a musical thread, audios, or sound effects here...
Always add up!
It invented Pepsi-Cola and Krispy Kreme! Two famous companies wtarted in North Carolina! Pepsi-Cola was invented in 1898 by pharmacist Caleb Bradham. Just a few decades later, the Krispy Kreme doughnut shop opened in 1937.
Using the Windows+Shift+S snipping tool to record a short how to video.
It Has the World's Tallest Arch! 🌉
St. Louis is home to the famous Gateway Arch, which stands $630$ feet tall. It is the tallest arch in the world and the tallest man-made monument in the Western Hemisphere. It was built to honor the city's role as the "Gateway to the West" during the exploration of the American frontier.
Use tables and infographics
Visual communication is a key tool. We find it easier to 'read' images than to read written text.
The Mississippi River Starts Here 🏞️
The mighty Mississippi River, which is the third longest river in the world, begins its $2,340$-mile journey to the Gulf of Mexico in Minnesota at Lake Itasca. In the past, the river powered the flour mills in Minneapolis, earning the city the nickname, "Flour Milling Capital of the World."
It has the smallest State Capital! Vermont's capital city, Montpilier, is the least populous state capital i the US. It is so small that it is the only state capital that does not have a McDonald's restaurant.
Using the Windows+Shift+S snipping tool to record a short how to video.
The Tater Tot Was Invented Here! 🥔 The popular frozen potato side dish, the Tater Tot, was invented in Oregon! Two brothers, Nephi and Golden Grigg, invented them in 1953 while trying to figure out what to do with leftover potato slivers at their potato processing plant, Ore-Ida, in eastern Oregon.
It Has the World's Largest Natural Bridge! 🌉 Utah is famous for its natural stone structures, and it's home to the Rainbow Bridge (located in Rainbow Bridge National Monument), which is considered the largest natural bridge in the world. It stands at about 290 feet high!
It Has a Three-Ocean Peak! 🌊 Montana is home to the Triple Divide Peak in Glacier National Park. When rain or snow falls on this peak, the water can flow into three different major bodies of water: the Pacific Ocean, the Atlantic Ocean (through the Gulf of Mexico), and the Arctic Ocean (through Hudson Bay)!
It has a famous weather groundhog! The town of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, is home to Punxsutawney Phil, the famous groundhog who supposedly predicts the end of winter every February 2nd on Groundhog Day.
It's the Home of Smokey Bear! 🐻 The famous fire prevention mascot, Smokey Bear, is a real bear from New Mexico! In 1950, a small bear cub was rescued from a huge forest fire in the Lincoln National Forest. He was named Smokey, and he became the living symbol for the important message, "Only you can prevent forest fires."
Did you know?
Does the window allow for adding more extensive content? You can enrich your genially by incorporating PDFs, videos, text... The content of the window will appear when clicking on the interactive element. Multimedia content is essential to achieve a WOW effect in your classes. Including a background music, audios or sound effects here...
Always adding up!
The chocolate chip cookie was invented here! The delicious chocolate chip cookie was invented in 1930 by Ruth Graves Wakefield at theToll House Inn in Whitman, Massachusetts. She was experimenting with her recipe for chocolate cookies ad decided to mix in pieces of a chocolate bar.
It was born during the Civil War! West Virginia is unique because it is the only state formed by splitting away from a Confederate state. When Virginia voted to leave the Union in 1861, the western counties, who opposed secession and slavery, broke away and formed their own state, which was officially admitted in 1863
It has a city named Santa Claus. There is a realtown in Indiana names Santa Claus, Indiana! Every year, children from all over the wolrd mail their letters to Santa Claus, and local volunteers, (called Santa's Elves) reply to every one of them! The town is also home to Hoilday World, one of the oldest theme parks.
Using the Windows+Shift+S snipping tool to record a short how to video.
It's the very first State! Delaware is nicknamed the 'First State' because it was the first of th e13 original colonies to ratify the U.S. Constitution on Decemeber 7, 1787.
A man named J. Sterling Morton started the very first Arbor Day celebration in Nebraska City in 1872 to encourage people to plant trees and help beautify the state's wide-open prairies. On that first day, Nebraska citizens planted about one million trees!
Use tables and infographics
Visual communication is a key tool. We find it easier to 'read' images than to read written text.
Interactivity + animation = motivation
They allow synthesizing contents
Show enthusiasm, give a smile, and maintain eye contact with others in the classroom can be your best allies when it comes to presenting content and creating motivating learning experiences. With that and some interactive content up to par, no class will resist you!
It has more coastline then California! Due to its incredibly rugged and jagged shape, the coastline of Maine, including all of its inlets and bays, is esitmated to be over 3,478 miles long. That is longer than the entire coastline of California!
They Don't Use Daylight Saving Time! ☀️ Most of Arizona does not observe Daylight Saving Time. This means they don't change their clocks twice a year. Because Arizona is already very sunny and hot, they stay on Mountain Standard Time year-round to avoid having an extra hour of hot sunshine in the evening. (There is one exception: the Navajo Nation does observe Daylight Saving Time).
It Owns the Longest Bridge Over Water in the World! 🌉
The Lake Pontchartrain Causeway in Louisiana is the longest bridge built continuously over water in the world, stretching nearly $\mathbf{24}$ miles long! The state also holds the title for the oldest continuously operating streetcar line in the world, which has been running in New Orleans since 1835.
It's the most crosed state! New Jersey is the most densely populated state in the U.S., meaing it packs the most people into every square mile! It has over 1,200 residents per square mile, compared to the national average of about 93.
Using the Windows+Shift+S snipping tool to record a short how to video.
Did you know?
Does the window allow for the addition of wider content? You can enrich your genially by incorporating PDFs, videos, text... The content of the window will appear when clicking on the interactive element. Multimedia content is essential to achieve a WOW effect in your classes. Include a musical thread, audios, or sound effects here...
Always add up!
The Gold Rush Boom: In the late 1850s, the cry of "Pike's Peak or Bust!" brought thousands of gold seekers to the area, starting the Pike's Peak Gold Rush. This massive rush of people led to the creation of boomtowns and helped the territory grow quickly.
It has the longest freshwater coastline in the World! Michigan is made up of two peninsulas (the Upper and Lower) and borders four of the five Great Lakes: Superior, Michigan, Huron, and Erie. It has 3,288 miles of freshwater shoreline, which is the longest of any state, outsid of Alaska!
Did you know?
Does the window allow for adding more extensive content? You can enrich your genially by incorporating PDFs, videos, text... The content of the window will appear when clicking on the interactive element. Multimedia content is essential to achieve a WOW effect in your classes. Including a background music, audios or sound effects here...
Always adding up!
Copy - AI Animated Instructional Videos
Belinda Howell
Created on October 26, 2025
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Transcript
Animated Instructional Videos:
Your 24/7 AI Teaching Assistants
start
Lars Introduces us:
The evolution of Lars the Bear
The evolution of Lars the Bear
Audio
Embedded content
Highlighted phrase
Table + text
Interactive question
Section
List / processes
Relevant data
Conclusions
Video
Línea de tiempo
Close
Text + icons
Why AI animated videos?
"The question is not whether AI will replace teachers. The question is, how will teachers who leverage AI to foster creativity and independence redefine what's possible in the classroom?"
Hello, everyone! I’m thrilled to be here at TCEA to talk about one of my favorite topics: using AI tools to create engaging, independent learning experiences for our students. To show you how far we can push engagement, let me introduce you to my teaching assistant. His name is Lars Bear.
Now, that was Lars's humble beginning. A good lesson, a friendly voice, but Lars had a problem. He had big ideas, but a very flat presence. He was just a picture on a screen. He could explain the concept, but he wasn’t very engaging. Our students deserved more. We needed to help Lars evolve.
Our first step was giving Lars a voice—literally. We used a tool like Adobe Express Animate Character to give him a simple but crucial upgrade: a moving mouth. This was Lars Bear 2.0. He was no longer a flat file. He could move when he spoke, adding a subtle layer of engagement that drew students in. The math concepts didn't change, but suddenly, students were paying just a little bit closer attention.
But Lars was ambitious! He realized that to truly explain a tricky concept, he needed to do more than just talk. He needed movement. This is Lars Bear 3.0! Using the full power of Adobe Express character animation, Lars can now gesture, and talk, and fully embody the lesson. He can use his whole body to illustrate the steps of a mini-lesson. He has gone from a picture with a voice to a fully animated teaching partner. His explanations of complex procedures became clearer and more compelling.
Then, we introduced the ultimate evolution. We asked an AI Video creator, Gemini, in this case, to take Lars to a whole new dimension, literally. Meet Lars Bear 4.0: the 3D, interactive educator! He is no longer confined to a flat video screen. He can interact, he can move in three dimensions, and he can be the centerpiece of a truly immersive, independent learning experience for the student. Imagine a student interacting with this character, asking him questions, and having him demonstrate motion and movement to explain a hard-to-visualize concept.
But the Lars Bear journey is just one example. The tools available to us today allow any educator to bring characters to life. My final example showcases the power of another tool, Vidnoz AI animation. Here, you see a completely different character, designed specifically to explain the step-by-step process of a new math concept. The key takeaway is: whether it's Lars or another character, AI is making it simple and fast to create a dynamic, animated, and highly effective teaching tool that students can engage with on their own time.
Bridging the Gap:
From Concept to Classroom
So, we've seen Lars Bear evolve from a simple voiceover to a fully interactive 3D character. That's a huge leap in engagement. But you might be thinking, "That looks complicated," or "I don't have time for that." Here is the good news. Creating these high-quality, engaging videos for independent learning is now easier, faster, and more accessible than ever before, thanks to AI.
Why AI Characters?
The Power of Engagement
Why AI Characters?
The Power of Engagement
EXAMPLES OF USE
- genially
Ready to see exactly how fast this is? Let’s start at the beginning. I'm going to take you step-by-step through creating your very own talking character using Adobe Express Character Animator right now.
Exercise 1: Using a screen recording tool record a video describing steps in a problem your students would solve.
Lars: In the Beginning
Voiceover
Screen Capture tool
EXAMPLE
Now it is time for our WE DO time? Let's start at the beginning.
Exercise 2:Using ElevenLabs record a voiceover that will be used to give directions on solving a problem.
ElevenLabs AI Voice
AI generated voiceover creator
EXAMPLE
Exercise 3: We are going to use Adobe Express to help us create our own animated teaching assistant
Adding Animation
Lars 2.0 and Lars 3.0
Animating the mouth
EXAMPLE
Let's continue building our AI assistant videos.
Exercise 4:In this activity I want you to animate the entire charatcter using Adobe Express Animate
Full Character Animation
Animated Characters
EXAMPLE
Exercise 5: Your choice of Gemini AI or Google Vids, create a usable prompt that will create a working 3D character for your lesson.
Lars 4.0
Using Gemini or Google Vids
Creating 3D characters
Using AI generated 3D characters
EXAMPLE
Exercise 6:Create a video using an AI generator such as Vidnoz to explain a problem.
AI Created characters
AI generator, ie VidNoz
Animated Characters
EXAMPLE
Relevant Data
50%
from our brain is involved in the processing of visual stimuli.
+ info
Represent your data in the simplest way: choose your chart, organize the figures and paste them into Genially.
20XX
20XX
20XX
Use timelines...
Structure
Develop
Plan
+ info
+ info
+ info
To tell stories in an orderly, hierarchical, structured, and concise manner.
20XX
20XX
20XX
20XX
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Timeline
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You can briefly describe the timeline of your presentation and orally present the milestones achieved so that no one falls asleep.
Graph + text
Graphics are highly shareable, making them perfect for social media. And as if that weren't enough: they often generate high-quality traffic to the content we create.
50%
of our brain is involved in processing visual stimuli.
Use graphics in your presentation
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This is how you'll keep your class engaged
You can express numbersin this way
Even though you explain it orally later
Table + Text
Interactivity and animation can be your best allies when creating tables.
Use tables and infographics
Visual communication is a key tool. We find it easier to 'read' images than to read written text. That's why disciplines like Visual Thinking facilitate knowledge organization through the use of images, graphs, infographics, and simple drawings.
List / Processes
Synthesis and organization, the two pillars for presenting
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Narrative beings
We arevisual beings
Socialbeings
We need to interact with each other. We learn collaboratively.
We have thousands and thousands of stories. ⅔ of our conversations are stories.
We are able to understand images that are millions of years old, even from other cultures.
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Measure results and experiment
Generate learning experienceswith your content
Illustrate what you want to tell
Make your content more memorable
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Make your class think and learn
Interactivity + animation = motivation
Keeps the brain awake
Allow to synthesize content
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Inserta video
Multimedia content is essential in a presentation to leave everyone jaw-dropped. Additionally, it helps to summarize the content and entertain your audience.
Text + icons
While you shouldn't abuse bullet points, icons and diagrams can be great allies when it comes to telling stories.
It has a WOW effect.Very WOW.
Measure results and experiment
Generate experiences with your content
It is organized, hierarchical, and structured
Make your audience remember the message
Activate and amazeyour audience
Illustrating the contents is essential
Visual beings
Narrative beings
Social Beings.
Digital Beings
Audio
Your content grabsif it's interactive
Here you can put a highlighted title
Here you can put a highlighted title
Include background music, audio, or sound effects here... Always adds value!
Multimedia content is essential to achieve a WOW effect in your classes
Inserted content
Map
Social network
Music
Conclusions
'Your content is appealing, but it becomes much more engaging when it's interactive'
Interactivity and animation can be your best allies when creating tables, infographics, or graphics that help provide context to the topic or unit, as well as simplify the information to make it more understandable. We are visual beings and it is easier for us to 'read' images than to read written text.
- Genially
Remember to publish!
Home to the Tallest, Largest, AND Oldest Trees! 🌲 California is the champion of giant trees! It is home to the world's tallest tree (a coastal redwood named Hyperion), the world's largest tree by volume (a Giant Sequoia named General Sherman), and some of the world's oldest living trees (Bristlecone Pines that are over 4,850 years old!).
Using the Windows+Shift+S snipping tool to record a short how to video.
Home of the Star Spangled Banner. Maryland is the birthplace of the U.S. National Anthem! During the War of 1812, an attorney named Francis Scott Key watched the British bombardment of Fort McHenry new Baltimore. Seeing the American flag still flying the next morning inspired him to write the poem that became 'The Star-Spangled Banner'.
It is home to the windiest mountain on Earth! Mount Washington i New Hampshire holds the world record for the highest wind speed ever redcdorded on land that was not caused by a tornado or hurricane. In 1934, winds were recorded at 231 miles per hour on the mountain's summit.
Measure resultsand experiment
Illustrate what you want to tell
If you want to provide additional information or develop the content in more detail, you can do so through your oral presentation. We recommend that you practice your voice and rehearse: the best improvisation is always the most worked!
It Once Had a Law for Its Name's Pronunciation! 📣 The state's name is spelled "Arkansas" but is pronounced Ar-kan-saw (with a silent 's' at the end). This difference led to so much debate and confusion in the 1800s that the state legislature passed a law in 1881 officially decreeing how the state's name must be pronounced!
It's the Cheesehead State! 🧀 Wisconsin is famously known as "America's Dairyland" and produces more cheese than any other state in the U.S. Because of this, fans of the Green Bay Packers football team proudly wear foam "Cheeseheads" on their heads, a nickname that started as an insult but was proudly embraced by the locals!
It Has Two River Borders! 🏞️ Iowa is the only state in the U.S. that is bordered entirely by two major rivers running parallel to each other. The Missouri River forms the border on the west, and the great Mississippi River forms the border on the east!
You Can Visit the Center of North America! 🗺️ The Geographic Center of the Contiguous United States (the 48 connected states) is located near the town of Lebanon, Kansas. And, the point used to calculate all property lines and boundaries across North America (called the North American Datum) is near the town of Osborne!
Include infographics in your creations
Using graphics and infographics helps to reinforce knowledge. A plus: try to always include the source. Also, did you know that your students also remember 10% of what they hear, 20% of what they read? Make your content interactive!
It's the Only State Named After a U.S. President! 🏛️ Washington is the only state named after a U.S. President: George Washington! The original territory was briefly called "Columbia," but the name was changed to avoid confusion with the District of Columbia.
It's the Top State for Native American Tribes! 🦅 The name "Oklahoma" comes from the Choctaw words okla (people) and humma (red), meaning "Red People." Today, Oklahoma has the largest population of Native American people and is the tribal headquarters for 39 federally recognized tribes.
An awesome presentation:
Did you know...
Does the window allow for adding more extensive content? You can enrich your genially by incorporating PDFs, videos, text... The content of the window will appear when you click on the interactive element. Multimedia content is essential to achieve a WOW effect in your classes. Include a soundtrack, audio or sound effects here...
Always add up!
It Was Almost the Same State as South Dakota! 📜 North Dakota and South Dakota were admitted to the Union on the very same day—November 2, 1889. President Benjamin Harrison shuffled the papers before signing them so that no one would know which state became official first. As a result, they are officially numbered by the order of the alphabet: North Dakota is the 39th state and South Dakota is the 40th.
It's the Land of Lincoln 🎩 Illinois's official state slogan is "Land of Lincoln" because Abraham Lincoln spent 31 years of his life there and launched his entire political career from the state capital, Springfield. He is the only U.S. President to have been elected from Illinois, and he is also buried in Springfield.
It's the Birthplace of Aviation. Ohioans Orville and Wilbur Wright invented and built the world's first successful airplane in Dayton, Ohio. The state proudly celebrates this history with the motto, "Ohio-Birthplace of Aviation"
It's the 'Mother of Presidents". Virginia is the birthplace of eight U.S. Presidents, more than any other state in the nation! The list includes the first four presidents: G. Washington, T. Jefferson, J. Madison and J. Monroe.
New York City was the first US Capital! New York City was the first capital of the United States after the Constitution was ratified. In 1789 George Washington was sworn in as the very first US President on the balcony of Federal Hall in New York City.
Why AI Characters?
When we create independent learning modules, we're asking students to tackle concepts on their own time, at their own pace. We need to maximize their focus. And that's where the animated character shines .- It's Personal: An animated character, like Lars, provides a friendly, consistent face that students can connect with. It feels less like a sterile textbook and more like a one-on-one tutoring session. - It Commands Attention: Humans are wired to watch things that move. A static lesson is easy to tune out. An animated character gives the student a focal point that keeps their eyes on the screen, ready to absorb the lesson. - It Demystifies Complexity: Especially in math, movement helps. Lars can point to the key part of an equation, walk through the steps of an algorithm, or demonstrate a geometric transformation—making abstract concepts concrete.This is more than just fun; it's a strategic way to increase student persistence and reduce cognitive load in an independent setting.
It's the smallest state----by far. Rhode Island is the smallest state in the US by a total area, measuring only about 37 miles wide and 48 miles long. You could fit the entire state of Rhode Island into Alaska over 400 times.
Did you know...
Does the window allow for adding more extensive content? You can enrich your genially by incorporating PDFs, videos, text... The content of the window will appear when you click on the interactive element. Multimedia content is essential to achieve a WOW effect in your classes. Include a soundtrack, audio or sound effects here...
Always add up!
Using the Windows+Shift+S snipping tool to record a short how to video.
Texas Was Its Own Country! 🤠 Before becoming a U.S. state, Texas was an independent nation known as the Republic of Texas from 1836 to 1845. This history is why Texas is known by its nickname, the "Lone Star State," and its state flag has just one star.
It's the birthplace of the Kentucky Derby and "Happy Birthday". Kentucky is home to the Kentucky Derby, the longest-running horse race in the U.S. (since 1875). It's also the birthplace of the song "Happy Birthday to You", originally written as "Good Morning to All" by two sisters from Louisville in 1893.
Tool Breakdown
Now, let's get practical. To show you how you can create your own version of Lars Bear—or a whole cast of supporting characters—we’re going to look at the process and the tools I used. You don't need to be a graphic designer or a professional animator. You just need to know where to click. I’ve organized these tools based on the complexity and the level of engagement they offer: For the Quick Voiceover: The initial Lars Bear was created using a simple, high-quality AI Voice Generation tool [You can insert the name of the tool you used, e.g., WellSaid Labs, ElevenLabs, etc.]. This is your starting point—great voice, minimal effort. For Simple Animation (Lars 2.0): This is where you get the moving mouth. We used Adobe Express Character Animator. You upload your image (Lars), upload your audio, and the AI handles the lip-syncing. It takes literally minutes. For Full Character Animation (Lars 3.0): Still in Adobe Express, you can now select a full pre-built character or use your own image for more dynamic movement, gestures, and backgrounds. For 3D Interaction (Lars 4.0): The breakthrough here was using Gemini to transform a simple 2D image into an interactive, 3D model. This is where AI opens the door to creating assets for virtual reality or advanced interactive lessons. For Complete Video Production: Finally, the Vidnoz AI Animation example shows a platform designed to quickly generate explainer videos with talking avatars from a simple text script. This is ideal for quickly producing a large library of mini-lessons.
Home to Two of the World's Biggest Sculptures! 🗿 South Dakota is famous for Mount Rushmore, which features the faces of four U.S. presidents carved into a mountain. It is also the site of the Crazy Horse Memorial, which is still being carved and will be the largest mountain carving in the world when finished!
The first hamburger was invented in Connecticut. The modern hamburger was reportedly invented in New Haven, Connecticut., in 1900 at a small lunch counter called Louis' Lunch. The owner, Louis Lassen, put grilled ground steak trimmings between two pieces of toast for a customer who was in a hurry.
It has the most visited National Park in the U.S. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park in the entire United States.
It Has More Bison Than People! 🐃 Wyoming is the least populated state in the U.S. (by far!), meaning it has fewer residents than any other state. In fact, if you count all the bison living in Yellowstone National Park and other areas of the state, there are more bison and cattle than there are human residents!
It Produces the Most Potatoes! 🥔 Idaho is the top producer of potatoes in the United States. Its unique combination of rich, volcanic soil and clear, mountain-fed irrigation water makes for ideal growing conditions. The Idaho Potato has become a world-famous brand!
It's Home to the Driest Place in North America! 🏜️ Nevada is the driest state in the U.S., receiving less than 10 inches of rain each year on average. It also contains most of Death Valley National Park, which is the hottest and driest spot in North America. The name Nevada itself means "snow-covered" in Spanish, which is strange for a desert, but it refers to the high Sierra Nevada mountains on its western border!
Generate learning experiences with your content
They make your content more memorable
Use graphics in your presentation. Data, figures, numbers… can also be displayed visually, interactively, and animated. And that has a great advantage: you will simplify the information and make it more understandable for the whole class.
Make your class think and learn
Keeps the brain awake
Interactivity and animation can be your best allies when creating tables, infographics, or charts that help provide context to the topic or unit, as well as simplify information to make it more understandable. We are visual beings and find it easier to 'read' images than to read written text.
Did you know?
Does the window allow for the addition of wider content? You can enrich your genially by incorporating PDFs, videos, text... The content of the window will appear when clicking on the interactive element. Multimedia content is essential to achieve a WOW effect in your classes. Include a musical thread, audios, or sound effects here...
Always add up!
It invented Pepsi-Cola and Krispy Kreme! Two famous companies wtarted in North Carolina! Pepsi-Cola was invented in 1898 by pharmacist Caleb Bradham. Just a few decades later, the Krispy Kreme doughnut shop opened in 1937.
Using the Windows+Shift+S snipping tool to record a short how to video.
It Has the World's Tallest Arch! 🌉 St. Louis is home to the famous Gateway Arch, which stands $630$ feet tall. It is the tallest arch in the world and the tallest man-made monument in the Western Hemisphere. It was built to honor the city's role as the "Gateway to the West" during the exploration of the American frontier.
Use tables and infographics
Visual communication is a key tool. We find it easier to 'read' images than to read written text.
The Mississippi River Starts Here 🏞️ The mighty Mississippi River, which is the third longest river in the world, begins its $2,340$-mile journey to the Gulf of Mexico in Minnesota at Lake Itasca. In the past, the river powered the flour mills in Minneapolis, earning the city the nickname, "Flour Milling Capital of the World."
It has the smallest State Capital! Vermont's capital city, Montpilier, is the least populous state capital i the US. It is so small that it is the only state capital that does not have a McDonald's restaurant.
Using the Windows+Shift+S snipping tool to record a short how to video.
The Tater Tot Was Invented Here! 🥔 The popular frozen potato side dish, the Tater Tot, was invented in Oregon! Two brothers, Nephi and Golden Grigg, invented them in 1953 while trying to figure out what to do with leftover potato slivers at their potato processing plant, Ore-Ida, in eastern Oregon.
It Has the World's Largest Natural Bridge! 🌉 Utah is famous for its natural stone structures, and it's home to the Rainbow Bridge (located in Rainbow Bridge National Monument), which is considered the largest natural bridge in the world. It stands at about 290 feet high!
It Has a Three-Ocean Peak! 🌊 Montana is home to the Triple Divide Peak in Glacier National Park. When rain or snow falls on this peak, the water can flow into three different major bodies of water: the Pacific Ocean, the Atlantic Ocean (through the Gulf of Mexico), and the Arctic Ocean (through Hudson Bay)!
It has a famous weather groundhog! The town of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, is home to Punxsutawney Phil, the famous groundhog who supposedly predicts the end of winter every February 2nd on Groundhog Day.
It's the Home of Smokey Bear! 🐻 The famous fire prevention mascot, Smokey Bear, is a real bear from New Mexico! In 1950, a small bear cub was rescued from a huge forest fire in the Lincoln National Forest. He was named Smokey, and he became the living symbol for the important message, "Only you can prevent forest fires."
Did you know?
Does the window allow for adding more extensive content? You can enrich your genially by incorporating PDFs, videos, text... The content of the window will appear when clicking on the interactive element. Multimedia content is essential to achieve a WOW effect in your classes. Including a background music, audios or sound effects here...
Always adding up!
The chocolate chip cookie was invented here! The delicious chocolate chip cookie was invented in 1930 by Ruth Graves Wakefield at theToll House Inn in Whitman, Massachusetts. She was experimenting with her recipe for chocolate cookies ad decided to mix in pieces of a chocolate bar.
It was born during the Civil War! West Virginia is unique because it is the only state formed by splitting away from a Confederate state. When Virginia voted to leave the Union in 1861, the western counties, who opposed secession and slavery, broke away and formed their own state, which was officially admitted in 1863
It has a city named Santa Claus. There is a realtown in Indiana names Santa Claus, Indiana! Every year, children from all over the wolrd mail their letters to Santa Claus, and local volunteers, (called Santa's Elves) reply to every one of them! The town is also home to Hoilday World, one of the oldest theme parks.
Using the Windows+Shift+S snipping tool to record a short how to video.
It's the very first State! Delaware is nicknamed the 'First State' because it was the first of th e13 original colonies to ratify the U.S. Constitution on Decemeber 7, 1787.
A man named J. Sterling Morton started the very first Arbor Day celebration in Nebraska City in 1872 to encourage people to plant trees and help beautify the state's wide-open prairies. On that first day, Nebraska citizens planted about one million trees!
Use tables and infographics
Visual communication is a key tool. We find it easier to 'read' images than to read written text.
Interactivity + animation = motivation
They allow synthesizing contents
Show enthusiasm, give a smile, and maintain eye contact with others in the classroom can be your best allies when it comes to presenting content and creating motivating learning experiences. With that and some interactive content up to par, no class will resist you!
It has more coastline then California! Due to its incredibly rugged and jagged shape, the coastline of Maine, including all of its inlets and bays, is esitmated to be over 3,478 miles long. That is longer than the entire coastline of California!
They Don't Use Daylight Saving Time! ☀️ Most of Arizona does not observe Daylight Saving Time. This means they don't change their clocks twice a year. Because Arizona is already very sunny and hot, they stay on Mountain Standard Time year-round to avoid having an extra hour of hot sunshine in the evening. (There is one exception: the Navajo Nation does observe Daylight Saving Time).
It Owns the Longest Bridge Over Water in the World! 🌉 The Lake Pontchartrain Causeway in Louisiana is the longest bridge built continuously over water in the world, stretching nearly $\mathbf{24}$ miles long! The state also holds the title for the oldest continuously operating streetcar line in the world, which has been running in New Orleans since 1835.
It's the most crosed state! New Jersey is the most densely populated state in the U.S., meaing it packs the most people into every square mile! It has over 1,200 residents per square mile, compared to the national average of about 93.
Using the Windows+Shift+S snipping tool to record a short how to video.
Did you know?
Does the window allow for the addition of wider content? You can enrich your genially by incorporating PDFs, videos, text... The content of the window will appear when clicking on the interactive element. Multimedia content is essential to achieve a WOW effect in your classes. Include a musical thread, audios, or sound effects here...
Always add up!
The Gold Rush Boom: In the late 1850s, the cry of "Pike's Peak or Bust!" brought thousands of gold seekers to the area, starting the Pike's Peak Gold Rush. This massive rush of people led to the creation of boomtowns and helped the territory grow quickly.
It has the longest freshwater coastline in the World! Michigan is made up of two peninsulas (the Upper and Lower) and borders four of the five Great Lakes: Superior, Michigan, Huron, and Erie. It has 3,288 miles of freshwater shoreline, which is the longest of any state, outsid of Alaska!
Did you know?
Does the window allow for adding more extensive content? You can enrich your genially by incorporating PDFs, videos, text... The content of the window will appear when clicking on the interactive element. Multimedia content is essential to achieve a WOW effect in your classes. Including a background music, audios or sound effects here...
Always adding up!