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HITESOL Workshop

11/20/02

Developing a Teaching Portfolio

 

 

Using FLASH in Multimedia Language Lessons

 

Flash: What the heck is it?

 

-           integrated, multimedia web-development program

 

-           requires a Flash Player to view, downloadable separately for free

 

-           all web browsers now have built-in Flash capability

 

-           by the makers of DreamWeaver

www.macromedia.com

 

Some good examples of web sites that use Flash:

 

á          www.cartoonnetwork.com

 

Examples of sites that overuse interactive features:

 

á          http://eslus.com/esl/resource.htm#general

 

 

My web-based reading lesson: The Missing Cats

 

á          http://www2.hawaii.edu/~sford/

follow the link to the missing cats!

 

á          Web lesson revolves around an entire lesson based on reading strategies

 

á          Easily accessible to people all over the world with modern computers- no need to download

 

á          More interactive than paper-and-pen

 

á          Ease of glossing

 

á          Answers easily submitted by email

 

á          Student and teacher sections

 

Problems:

 

á          Some construction problems throughout lesson- technical difficulties

 

á          Students cannot go backwards within the lesson

 

 

Advantages of using Flash:

 

á          Fully integrated program- no external drivers/ windows

 

á          More interactive possibilities than DreamWeaver or other web design software

 

á          Highly compressed- easily downloadable

 

á          Seamless, fluid web production

 

Disadvantages of using Flash:

 

á          Must learn how to use Flash program- comes with built-in tutorial

 

á          Time consuming to build Flash movies- best suited to whole lessons instead of individual assignments

 

á          Must have Flash player installed on computer to view Flash movies- available for free on the internet

 

á          Must purchase Flash program- free 30 day trial copy available from Macromedia (1 per ISBN)

 

Conclusion:

 

This technology represents the future direction of the Internet and consequently web-based instructional materials. It is important that teachers at least realize the existence of this technology and its potential use as a teaching and learning tool in and out of classrooms.

 

 

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contents (c) 2001 Shawn Ford/ Webb-Ed Press
sford@hawaii.edu