Area students are no longer limited in their high school art classes to just paper, pens and paint.

Over the last couple of years, computer animation, which was used in creating movies such as "Monsters Inc.", and "Toy Story," have been integrated into area schools' curriculum.

Cooperstown's high school art room contains five computers with the Flash animation software for students to work on among their assignments in sculptures, paintings and drawings.

"I thought it was a good idea for us to learn to do this," said Eileen Murphy, art teacher for CCS. "The kids here learn how animation happens."

The program began in 2000 with students creating flip books using photography. Only recently have they begun using drawing tablets to draw their animations on the computer, Murphy said. With funding help from the PTO and the State of New York Arts in Education program, CCS recently purchased the tablets, each costing $100.

"It has made it so much easier," she said.

The feedback from students over the new art medium has been very positive.

"They love it. There is so much to learn." said Murphy "Some of these kids are really good at it."

CCS junior Colin Weeks, who had never designed an animation before, began working on his first about a week ago and has already created 130 frames. He said he liked the new curriculum even though it was very different from what they usually do in art class.

"It's not just like picking up a pencil," said Weeks. "I haven't even begun to explore other things you do with it."

Classmate Jim Dangl agreed with Weeks' opinion and even elaborated, saying it has been "rewarding" to learn the technology.

"There's a lot to it. Once you get going, it's endless," said Dangl. "I think it's good that we have something like this."

Doug Hallberg, art teacher for grades 5-12 at Edmeston Central School, has included a computerized art component in his classrooms since 1997.

"This has really started to become a mainstream thing in most schools," he said. "The kids are totally into it. We're doing quite a bit of video and animation. "

They use the computer program Light Wave which was used to make animations like a "Bugs Life," said Hallberg.

Although challenging, Hallberg said he has been able to learn the software, but realizes that the students catch on more quickly.

"The kids are much more natural, amazingly skillful at picking this stuff up," he said.

Diane Kull, secondary art teacher at Milford Central School, also uses a three dimensional program (Light Wave) for her students.

"(The students) love it. We have a generation of kids who are very technologically savvy," she said. Right now, MCS students have two levels of graphic's art classes.

"It is very cool. Right now we are really focusing on video production," she added.

MCS began their computer graphics component four years ago and now has a computer lab containing eight computers with the software Art Dabbler.

Even with the use of five computers in the art room, Murphy said it can be kind difficult giving each student a chance on the computers when she has a class size of 23 students.

Steve Davis, technology teacher from Cherry Valley-Springfield Central School, described the overwhelming response he gets from students and their interest in computer graphics.

"The classes are usually full," he said. "They're in here all the time. I have to kick them out usually."

This is Davis' third year of teaching computer graphics to CV-S students.

"We do computer animation using 3-D Studio Max," he said. "It's a tough field. It takes a while for me to learn it. Usually by the end of the year, (students) are teaching me stuff."

Students are actually required to research some aspect of computer graphics for a grade.

They are first introduced in seventh and eighth grade and then can further their learning in their high school classes. Middle school students first learn to create claymations and animations using flip books. High school students move on to create computer animation films.

In addition to students creating computer animations, students also have the ability to work with a 3-D Computer Added Drafting and Design program, photo shop, videos and video editing. Their hope is to create a TV studio for students in the future, he said.

Davis said he hopes to start putting students' work on the school website.

"We are still in the developmental stages," he explained.

Even in the early stages of the CV-S program, Davis has already had students graduate and go on to pursue careers in computer graphics.