Using Adobe Flash in the Classroom

By Mike Moore

What is Adobe Flash?

Adobe® Flash® Professional CS5.5 software is the industry leading authoring environment for producing expressive interactive content. Create immersive experiences that present consistently to audiences across desktops, smart phones, tablets, and televisions.

http://www.adobe.com/products/flash.html

What is Adobe Flash in the Context of Popular Culture?

Since its introduction in the late 1990s Flash has been used to create content for the World Wide Web - usually short, humorous animations. In 1999 two of the earliest movies to “go viral” - Frog Bender and Joe Fish- were produced using Flash.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebQy8QDWjkE&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVmzTJklTOk&feature=related

What is Adobe Flash in the Context of Popular Culture?

Adobe Flash is most popular for watching online videos. YouTube uses Adobe Flash Player for streaming videos online. ComScore, an Internet marketing research company, reports that

Adobe Flash technology powers 81 percent of worldwide online videos. The Adobe Flash Player plugin is installed on 98 percent of Internet-

connected desktops worldwide. It is also becoming a common feature on mobile devices (iPhone excluded).

http://stuff.techwhack.com/5767-adobe-flash-player

What is Adobe Flash in the Context of Education?

Adobe Flash Professional CS5.5 software is a tool that teachers can use to produce their own interactive, engaging and pedagogical multimedia resources for their students. One of the greatest advantages of Flash-based presentation is it allows students to join in and alter the presentation by manipulating the interactive objects during the video play, breaking the mode of traditional media which goes in one way communication. Adobe Flash helps teachers prepare students for success by giving them the skills they need to express and share ideas and information in compelling and engaging ways. One could suggest that Adobe Flash provides teachers with an open canvas on which they can create content.

http://educationforum.ipbhost.com/index.php?showtopic=7240

Why Should Teachers Use Flash?

In general, teachers should use media whenever it can facilitate learning or increase understanding of your material. Among the implicit goals that media can help achieve are the following:

Attracting attention Developing interest Adjusting the learning climate Promoting acceptance (of an idea)

http://www.umdnj.edu/idsweb/idst5330/instructional_media.htm

Why Should Teachers Use Flash?

Engaging learning experiences are the foundation of a great education. Adobe Flash provides an advanced authoring environment for creating interactive Web sites, digital experiences, and mobile content. The interactivity of Adobe Flash technology can cultivate a digital learning environment where students love to learn, teachers are inspired to innovate, and parents are encouraged to participate. In Education, 'interactivity' is the catalyst that can transform the traditional classroom setting into an active multimedia environment. Interactivity in the classroom engages and inspires students. Research shows that interactive content helps students stay on task for a longer period, and can inspire students to continue learning after the lesson, which is ideal for encouraging effective questioning and group discussion.

http://www.umdnj.edu/idsweb/idst5330/instructional_media.htmhttp://asumag.com/webinars/interactive-digital-solutions/

Teachers Using Adobe FlashHere are a few Adobe Flash learning resources made by teachers…

Class Clock - http://www.oswego.org/ocsd-web/games/ClassClock/clockres.html

Ghost Blaster - http://www.oswego.org/ocsd-web/games/Ghostblasterseven/ghosteven.html

Here are a few Adobe Flash learning games made by professionals…

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/colonialhouse/history/dress_up_flash.html

http://americanhistory.si.edu/militaryhistory/resources/whoami/whoami.html

http://eduscapes.com/flash/explore.htm#0