Essentials of Adobe Flash for E-Learning Designers
Thomas Toth, President, dWeb Studios

Adobe Flash has two distinct audiences: the hardcore programmer/developer and the creative designers. As an instructional designer or e-learning designer, where does that place you? Rapid E-Learning software relies on Flash and Flash elements to add interactivity, but most high-quality e-learning courses are built entirely in Flash. Where do you begin learning? Most books and learning sites target either the programmer or the creative, but as an e-learning designer, where can you go? If you can relate to these questions then this three-session online workshop is for you.

Day 1: Overview of Flash – what are the key features an e-learning designer needs to understand basic drawing and animation fundamentals?

Day 2: Overview of ActionScript 3.0 – what are the key code components of ActionScript that e-learning designers need to be able to use for their projects?

Day 3: Overview of the Flash Design Process – how does an experienced designer combine their knowledge of Flash with their desire to create interactive e-learning? This last day walks you through an entire eLearning shell from start to finish.

Sample code and graphics will be provided via URL download at the start of each day. This program is not PowerPoint driven; the actual Flash environment will be our learning environment!

After completing this workshop, participants will be able to:

• Create and animate (tween) graphics, buttons, and movie symbols
• Design a custom interface using tools available within Flash
• Program foundational ActionScript 3.0 to create interactions, navigation, and communication elements from within an e-learning project
• Create a Flash-based online learning course using both design and programming best practices.

About the Facilitator:

Thomas Toth, based in the Denver Colorado area, is a Macromedia Certified Developer with a decade of training, management and design experience in the computer and technical education industries. Thomas has designed and programmed on-line and CBT training courses using Macromedia and Adobe products, and has personally created and maintained over six dozen web sites for corporate clients. He is the President of dWeb Studios, Inc., a web and eLearning design and development firm in Parker, Colorado. In his professional life Thomas wears the hats of web master, instructional designer, leadership consultant, project manager, HTML programmer, graphic designer, Flash programmer, executive coach, and stand-up trainer. Thomas teaches Dreamweaver, Fireworks, Flash, Photoshop, and InDesign at local area training centers, bringing his students real-world knowledge and experience on how to use these products. Thomas is the author of the book Technology for Trainers, published by ASTD Press in April 2003. Technology for Trainers is an eLearning primer, written for the Learning and Development professional who is faced with the task of developing eLearning for their organization. Thomas has his B.A. in Human Communication, his M.A. Ed with a focus on Educational Technology, and belongs to several professional organizations such as ASTD, the American Marketing Association, eLearning Guild, Toastmasters and the HTML Writers Guild. Thomas is also a published and performing magician, a trained chef and musician.