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From Chalkboards to Cartoons: the Evolution of Educational Content


A rabbit sits on a blue, spotted mushroom. Two cartoon wizards in colorful robes stand beside it. "h.o.p" text above in red.
Tentacle Media c BBC Phonics lessons

Education has always been evolving and the way we teach and learn has changed dramatically. From chalkboards and textbooks to interactive apps and animated explainer videos.


At the heart of this shift is 2D Animation, a tool that’s reshaping how educational  content is created, delivered and remembered. Whether you’re a curriculum developer, non profit leader, or Edtech Startup, animation offers a fresh and effective way to engage today’s learners.



Two cartoon characters play music; one on a yellow keyboard, the other with a white guitar in a room with colorful music sheets.
Tentacle Media x BBC vocab


Why 2D Animation is Perfect for Learning


2D animation is more than just engaging, it's educationally effective:

  • It makes complex ideas easy to understand

Through character, metaphors and movement, animation can simplify topics that might otherwise feel intimidating.


It's made for modern learning

  • Animated content mirrors the kind of visual-firs media students already consume daily, which increases attention and relevance.


It's inclusive by design

  • Animated content can represent diverse cultures, languages and learning needs, ensuring better accessibility and engagement for all learners.


It improves engagement and retention

  • When learners see and hear a concept in action, they're more likely to stay focused and remember it later.


Illustration collage with a rhino drawing, people sitting and standing, art supplies, orangutan with animals, and educational text pages.
Collage of Tentacle produced animations, illustrations and other educational supporting material


Who's using animation in Education?


Universities, Colleges and Schools

  • Whether it's in a classroom or remote, animated explainers to break down dense academic topics and enhance learning.


Edtech and Startups

  • Animation rich apps and gamified content, are increasingly making learning feel more like play.


NGOs and public health teams

  • Animated campaigns that explain complex ideas from climate change to nutrition, are more accessible and adaptable across cultures and age groups.



Fraction 3/4 shown with purple arrow to 20. Below, four boxes each with 5, last one green. Background is white.

Tentacle Media x BBC Education (Lesson series on fractions of amounts)


Is It Time to Update Your Educational Content?


If your learning materials feel outdated and finding a need for new content, 2D animation might be exactly what your audience needs.


It's flexible enough to work across any subject or age group and can be scaled for platforms like YouTube, mobile apps, LMS systems and more. Plus, it's easy to update, localise and reuse over time, making it a smart investment for the long term.


Cartoon meerkat with glasses jumps over numbered mounds, solving "6 + 3" on a teal background with arrows guiding its path.
Tentacle Media Primary School Maths lesson on number lines.


Let's Bring Your Content Into the Future


From Chalkboards to cartoon, educational content has come a long way, and today's learners are ready for what's next.


If you're exploring animation for you next educational project, we'd love to help.


Our team handles the entire production process from scripting to voiceover to illustration and final delivery, so you can focus on what matters most, creating impactful learning experience.




 
 
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