@article{maoexperimentalanimationgenaivibecoding2026,
  title = {A collaborative creation framework for experimental animation pedagogy integrating generative artificial intelligence and vibe coding},
  author = {Yadan Mao},
  year = {2026},
  journal = {Frontiers in Psychology},
  url = {https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1940505/full},
  abstract = {A single-cohort design-based research study of a five-week experimental animation course in the Department of Digital Media Art at Soochow University, in which 40 third-year students used generative AI (Midjourney, ChatGPT and DeepSeek are named) for concept and image work and the Cursor coding environment for vibe coding, writing their own motion mechanics in collaboration with an AI assistant. The paper proposes a generation, feedback and evolution framework across four pedagogical stages, with AI's role moving from tool to collaborator. Its most useful result is a failure: dynamic prompt descriptors such as loop, diffuse and breathe were flattened by image and video generators into rudimentary scaling, drifting or morphing, which is why coding was brought in. Self-reported extraneous cognitive load fell from 3.91 to 2.90 on a five-point scale and students' perception of AI as a creative partner rose from 3.30 to 4.09. There was no control group, the scales are self-report, and the author states that all p-values are unadjusted and exploratory. Every student closed with a collaboration statement on concept, process and authorship.},
  keywords = {generative-ai, studio-pedagogy, curriculum-design, motion-synthesis, authorship, vibe-coding},
  note = {AI \& Animation Education Knowledge Base}
}