Hi taylorjl
There is a 'Play Animation' action (right click on Scene Tab) with button Play, Pause or Stop.
It would jump from Scene to Scene.
You can even skip some Scenes from your animation sequence (right click on Scene Tab > Scene Manager > Include in Animation).
Under Model Info > Animation > Transition you can adjust Scene Transition and Scene Delay.
Set Scene Transition to 5
Set Scene Delay to 0
You will get 'smooth' animation.
PS. You could install SketchUp Viewer for your 'Students' to be sure that they don't play too much with your model. π