Using Flash Program

Flash is an attractive tool to design personalized materials to be used for different purposes such as teaching or advertising. Animation is the first Word that comes to mind when speaking about the uses of Flash, since it offers several components including text, graphics, audio, video, animation. Projects can be saved in source version (*.fla file extension), which is the original file, this can be modified. Another way to save the projects is the Compressed versions (*.swf), they can not be modified but they take up less storage space and download quickly. Basic Elements Stage. This is the main workspace, it looks like a screen. Timeline. It represents layers, time and frames. Media Objects. They are imported from Internet or the computer files into the library to be dragged to the stage when needed on specific key frames. Action Script code . This is a script language to add interaction and set controls like stop, rewind, or play to the project.

ANIMATION

KEY ELEMENTS
INTERACTION MULTIMEDIA

cartoons

tutorial

games slideshow timelines maps

cards

quizzes Web page e-book trailers WebQues t

banner

advertisement

escrapbook
book

Advantages Differentiate: adapting the content to different needs, Engage: motivating the users so that content may be engaging and make the experience a virtual one. Teach: creating attractive, useful and functional teaching material Versatile and Quality: can be played without inconvenience, and they are printable. Technology: availability of the needed software, they rarely will have difficulty with the technology associated to the program. Limitations Technology. Browser compatibility, users may have difficulty accessing materials if they do not count on the necessary Flash plug-ins Ease of Use. Accessibility. Flash may be not compatible with some devices or web browsers.

Flash Applications
Entertain a) Games: some examples of the components of flash applied to games are here on this link: Orisinal : Morning Sunshine. b) Movies: Here you can find some examples: Stop Bullying Now, Brainpop and The Elements Inform a) Information Exploration: organization and navigation are key issues in this case. There are some elements required to facilitate finding information to users, such as graphics, maps, and other visual tools. The types of information exploration materials are: Informational slide show Interactive database News sources Reference materials Virtual exhibits Virtual field trips This link takes you to some examples of information exploration: Underground Adventures b) Digital Storytelling: The following sites are examples of this application: Alphabet Action Fablevision Li'l Fingers

Instruct Design of teaching-learning materials is one of the uses of this application since the interaction created by the key elements of Flash makes these materials more attractive to students a) Inquiry-based Activities These are applied to explore questions, investigations, analyzing information, working with variables, make decisions and problem solving. Simulations are part of this application, and they can be Physical, (using objects, machines such as microphones, cars), Procedural, (series of actions such as dissection), Situational (incidents, interactions among people), Process (economics, geology, genetics by decision-making activities).

These links lead to examples of inquiry-based activities: Fly the Glider Make a Tidepool Interactive Game

b) Q&A Projects The Question and Answer Approach has different uses: facilitate information, reinforce concepts, and practice of skills. The emphasis of these projects is to provide lots of practice and immediate feedback by exploring maps, matching sounds to graphics, exploring vocabulary to seek answers to questions. Requirements for a good Q&A project: Include questions popular to students. Do not present trivial facts Promote understanding by adequately detailed answers or feedback. Well ordered concepts Visual-auditory elements for different learning styles.

Here are some links to examples of Q&A projects: Take a Regional DARE! Test Your Vowel Power Sandcastle Quiz Spellits

c) Tutorials Consistency and accuracy are the main aspects of tutorials. Examples of tutorials here: Freedomknot Galileo's Experiments Hands on Crafts Persuade The aim of this application is to convince users to take decisions or make actions such as buying, watching a movie or acquire some service.

Approaches

Information Focus. Some ideas are: Document focus Art focus Custom focus Literature focus

Information Organization. Information must be organized to facilitate the users understanding. Here are some of the approaches: Alphabetical Analogy Cause/Effect Change Chronology Geographical or Regional Hierarchy In-depth Inquiry

Information Presentation. Aim Text: control of the font types and styles viewed by the end user. Aim Illustrations: graphics, charts, maps, etc. Evaluation Evaluation Criteria: Overall Impressions Audience and Purpose Content Organization Design Navigation Technical Overall Technical Animation Technical Interaction Technical Multimedia Accessibility

Animation in Flash Frame-by-Frame: makes small, individual changes to objects on the Stage within every frame. Motion Tweening: It allows the movement of objects on the stage.

Shape Tweening: It helps to change a shape into another. Action Script: This is another way to provide movement to objects. Armature Tweens: It is applied to give movement to articulated shapes.

Types of Animation
Morphing

Tweening

Animation Basics

Movie clips

Random Elements

Animation Needs

Bouncing Balls

Animating Puppets

References Johnson, Larry. Aim your Projects with Flash. Eduscapes.com. From Internet, September 22, 2011.