Teachers - Read this first

If you don't have Flash, Macromedia offers a free 30-day trial version of Flash. You can download it at http://www.macromedia.com.

This is a middle range flash unit comprised of multiple lessons for students of any age. The complexity or simplicity of the unit can depend on the students' level. Teachers without any experience can learn this unit for the first time and teach it. It has step by step lessons for creating an aquarium animation movie.

This is a unit created in Flash MX, but any version should work without much modification. This is an intermediate to advanced unit. The lessons will take about five to ten class periods. I teach high school students in a lab setting and each student works independently. Be sure they understand how to save their work and have them save it often. Be flexible in grading and demands. Individualize grading. Students are highly motivated in this lesson and need little coaxing. Show them some final products before beginning the project and show their work to the class often. Try to have stronger students sit next to weaker students and encourage their helping each other. It is very important to keep the flow of the lesson. It is very easy to tutor rather than teach the class. Try to avoid tutoring as it slows the lesson and other students sit waiting.

Have students open this web site along with Flash and be sure they know how to toggle between the two applications.

Demonstrate a step or two and then walk around the room to make sure they have completed the steps. Ask them to help each other to get each lesson to move more quickly. Students need to stay with the steps to avoid confusion and frustration.

Allow students to create their own design or add their own innovations to the assignment.

Grading is based on the quality and completion of work along with considering the students' level of computer savvy.

Please send comments/suggestions to me at LauraJaneAnders@aol.com