Flash in the ClassroomBetsy MacDonald

Escuela Campo Alegre – Caracas, Venezuela

http://betsymac.edublogs.org/flashclass

Why Flash in the Classroom?• Demonstrate a concept• Have students demonstrate

a concept• Create activities for

interactive whiteboards– Drag & Drop

Flash Examples - PEMDAS

Flash Examples - Digestion

Flash Examples - Conjugation

Flash Examples – Diamond 9

The Flash Environment

Key Terms in Flash• Frame (F5)– one unit in timeline

• Keyframe (F6)– required to place data on stage – need a change = new keyframe

• Symbol (F8)– reusable asset capable of script

• Instance– use of a symbol on the stage

• .fla vs .swf– .fla is the source with timeline, tools,

etc.– .swf is resulting movie (ctrl+enter)

Frame by Frame Animation• ‘Flip book’ animation• Create an image• Move/rotate/alter it slightly

for several frames• Mimics animation when

played

Motion Tween Animation• Animation automated by

Flash• Establish start and end• Flash does the in beTween• Important:– Only ONE tweened object per

layer–Make sure you create a symbol

before you tween

Drag & Drop

• Interactive Flash movie allows user to drag objects

• Uses simple actionscript to add commands to movie clips

• Very effective tool for interactive whiteboards

Creating Frame-by-Frame Animation1. While not required, it is better to put

animation on its own layer2. In a keyframe, draw an image to

animate3. If it composed of several objects, it is

better to group it or convert it to a symbolo Select all pieces that compose the

image and ctrl+g to group or F8 to convert to symbol

4. Create a new keyframe (F6)5. Move/rotate/alter the image slightly6. Repeat steps 3 & 4 until your image is at

it’s ‘end’ 7. Use ctrl+enter to test/create the .swf

Creating a Motion Tween1. Create a new layer2. Create the object to animate3. Select it all & hit F8 to make a

movie clip symbol4. Position it at start point5. Create a new keyframe (F6)

further down the timeline6. Position your symbol at end point7. On this layer of timeline, right click

between keyframes and choose Create Motion Tween

8. Hit ctrl+enter to test/create .swf

Creating a Drag & Drop• Create an object and convert it to a

movie clip symbol (F8)– IMPORTANT – make sure to tick

center registration point • With the symbol selected, hit F9 to

open actionscript panel• Enter the following EXACTLY:

on(press) {   startDrag(this, true);}on(release){   stopDrag();}

• Hit F9 to return to stage• Use ctrl+enter to test/create .swf

Alternatives to Creating Flash Movies from Scratch• ClassTools.net• Super Teacher Tools• Scratch imagine•program•share

• Animation for Kids• SAM Animation• Domo Animate• PlayCrafter• CoolToolsforSchools

Great Resources for Finding Ready-to-Use Flash Movies• AIM Animation•Interaction •Multimedia

• Lee’s Summit SMARTBoard Resources

• Engaging Learners the SMARTBoard Way

• InteractiveICT at EffectiveICT• NOVA Teacher’s Guide• Teacher’s Domain

Great Resources for Learning Flash on Your Own• Flash Goodies for Games• Kirupa.com• FlashValley• Flash Kit• EchoEcho• Flash Creations• MacLoo Flash Examples• SmartWebby’s Flash

Thanks for Coming

Betsy MacDonaldMS IT InstructorEscuela Campo AlegreCaracas, Venezuelabetsymac@yahoo.comhttp://betsymac.edublogs.org/