- 1. PROJECT OVERVIEW: Developing Android Mobile Applications in
FlashOverviewA curriculum enabling students to design, develop an
then test mobile applications onmobile devices addresses several
cross cutting trends affecting the learning of
technologycurriculum(Becta,2008). The current trend of mobile
devices being used in and out of theclassroom to communicate,
collaborate and personalize learning opportunities makesteaching
and training students to understand the design and technologies
involved in howthese tools work imperative.Mobile Application
Development can be done in a variety of formats and with varietyof
tools. This project focuses on the team development of mobile
application design,development and testing using the Flash
platform. Enabling students to develop their ownpersonalized Web
2.0 tools enables collaboration and information sharing in new
wayswhich push the personalization of education tools to new
levels.FocusThis course will provide an overview of the mobile
application landscape in terms ofdevices, development, operating
systems and changing levels of personalization interms of the
technologies available and perspectives on organizing content on
thismedium.Content development for mobile applications and the
influence interface design hason the user experience will be a
focus. Students will acquire technology skills todevelop their own
applications in the Flash Authoring software and will test anddebug
these applications on Android Devices.Students will work in
collaborative teams to learn and apply the technologies,synthesize
design strategies and present a final cumulative project at the end
of thecourse. Each section of this course will represent a key
component to the process ofdeveloping an application and will need
to be repeated collaboratively for the finalproject.The team
approaches to the projects and the ability of groups to address
eachproject efficiently and with a conscientious approach towards
design anddevelopment will improve the ability of the group to
answer an authentic basedquestion which will drive all aspects of
the project. Addressing 21stcenturyemployability skills such as
real world scenarios, team work, cumulative projectsand the sharing
of design and technology skills are critical for
success.Problem/Project
2. Based on an instructor driven authentic problem students will
work in small groupsreplicating a design/development
studio.Students will be asked to develop projects which address an
authentic need for amobile application. Through the process of
concept development, creation anddevelopment of the application,
testing and debugging the applications students willbe applying
collaborative skills to synthesize ideas and technical skills to
create theapp and conclude with a group presentation of their final
application design.Issues:Students will need to address a wide
range of challenges to complete their projects.Concept
DevelopmentStudent fluency using technology toolsAddressing the
authentic questions for real world scenariosMaintaining a strong
collaborative, team approach to problem solve and resolve
criticalissues related to
technology.Knowledge/Skills/AttitudesKnowledge:Information
technology disciplinesHardwarePhones & TabletsDesktop
ComputersSoftwareAdobe FlashMobile Operating Systems with an
emphasis on OSApplication with an emphasis on design.Internet, Web
research and web based collaboration toolsDigital
MediaBusiness/Marketing TrendsSocial MediaWeb Based
AdvertisingSkills:Technology SkillsUnderstanding Basic Code
StructuresDesigning graphicsApplication of Design concepts to
software technologyManaging different file types and Software
knowledgeApplication of API technologiesInteracting with multiple
computer based interfaces (desktopcomputers, mobile
devices)CommunicationsCommunicate in professional manner (e-mail,
voice mail, in person) 3. Listen empatheticallyDocument
processReport for feedbackMake professional presentationCritical
thinkingTroubleshooting (problem solve)Synthesize findings (draw
conclusions supported by evidence)Problem
SolvingCollaborationMerging expertise (distributed knowledge)Work
together as a teamGive/receive feedbackPrioritize tasksCompare and
evaluate possible solutionsProject ManagementAttitudes (habits of
mind):Value teamworkAccountability to team and
clientTenacity/PersistenceCuriosity and open-mindednessChallenge
assumptionsIntended OutcomesResearch Mobile Application trends;
document and report findingsResearch career possibilities (Graphic
Designer, Programmer, InformationArchitect, Software
Developer)Troubleshoot Mobile Application on Device (problem
analysis)Use of Flash Software (Actionscript 3.0) to Create Mobile
ApplicationDesign Mobile Application Information
ArchitectureAnalyze Mobile Application Development EnvironmentTask
management/project management/problem solvingPresent proposed
solution to Authentic ScenarioAssessmentFormative
rubricsEmployability SkillsTeamworkTechnical ComponentsCompletion
TargetsSummative rubricDeveloping Mobile Applications in Flash
includes team-based problem/project projectswhich address IT skills
and implement employability skills. 4. Project 1: Information
Architecture & Content DesignEmployability Skills: Team member
roles and tasks; plan,analyze, design and develop methods for
organizing content anddeveloping architecture for the anticipated
navigation of theconsumer through the content of the mobile
application.IT Skills: Problem-solveProject Skills: Create a
complete paper prototype which includesideas for graphics, color
scheme, text, potential clickstreams and organization of content
considering the user.Project 2: Flash App Layout Design
ActivityEmployability Skills: Team member roles and tasks;
plan,analyze, design and develop a four page mobile application
usingFlash software.IT Skills: Problem-solveFlash Skills: Create
multiple pages, graphics, text andActionscript code to preview a
mobile application.Project 3: Learning About API
TechnologyEmployability Skills: Team member roles and tasks;
identify andimplement API technologies that can add usability to
the mobileapplication design.IT Skills: Integrate APIs using
Actionscript and Flash softwareinto design.Project Skills: Create a
document that clearly and conciselyrecords the teams performance.
The document should be free ofspelling and grammar errors.Project
4: Creating the Certificate & Exporting the APK
fileEmployability Skills: Team member roles and tasks;
exportapplication to device and test application for proper
functions ofapplication and device use.IT Skills: Properly create
self signed certificate and export APKfile for addition to Android
device.Project Skills: Exporting the APK file properly will enable
thestudents to view the application on the Android device.Project
5: Creating an Authentic Mobile ApplicationEmployability Skills:
Team member roles and tasks; plan,analyze, design and develop a
mobile application from conceptto finished application based on an
authentic scenario providedby the instructor.IT Skills:
Problem-solveProject Skills: Concept development, information
architecturedevelopment, development of app in Flash software
andpresenting the final app on an Android device.Project 6:
Presentation of final application 5. Employability Skills: Team
member roles and tasks; present finalapplication and describe
details of the process of conceptdevelopment and technology
development. The presentationshould also include how the
application addresses the authenticscenario and considers the
consumer in the design process.IT Skills:Project Skills:
Professional organization and presentation ofmobile application
content. Well planned and sequenced toexplain their design and
development experience.PROJECT 1: Information Architecture &
Content DesignPROJECT 1 GOALThe goal of this project is to develop
students understanding the proper layout ofinformation in a mobile
application and also the anticipated user experience of theconsumer
of a mobile app.1. Complete Venn Diagramming for Content, Context
and Users2. Complete Information Architecture paper prototype for
mobile applicationidea (should contain layout for at least 5
pages).3. Introduction to Flash Mobile Templates4. Self Assessment
for Mobile Environment & Design KnowledgePROJECT 1
DESCRIPTIONProject Description: In this project we will investigate
the components of a mobilearchitecture and prepare a mobile
architecture design.Final Project Outcome: The final project for
this will be a completed wireframerepresenting an idea for a mobile
application and a series of drawings representing thehome page with
navigation and 3-4 other pages.The Project 6. Scenario:Venn
DiagramThis activity begins with the discussion of the variety of
mobile content and the needsand wants of consumers when they use
mobile applications. Students will be asked todevelop a simple idea
for an application based on a childrens game or . Studentswill then
develop a list of items under ach heading content, context and
users. (seeactivity sheet)Paper PrototypingAfter completing the
brainstorming activity the ideas will be synthesized into a
paperprototype which will take into account the screen size in
pixels, color scheme, clickstreams, graphics, text styles and
organization of pages and content in application. It mustalso
address the anticipated user and their wants.Considerations in This
Project:Screen Sizes and resolutionsConsider user interaction with
content.Click streams and how they relate to contentPaper
prototyping-wire framingDevice differencesCoverage Area
Terms:Mobile Strategies, Mobile
Design,Needs-Goals-Context,Application Types, ApplicationContexts,
Mobile Information Architecture, Elements of Mobile Design(color,
look&feel, graphics, type, message).Design Components of This
Lesson:Creating a paper prototype with proper screen
considerations, device, wireframing andcontent.Technical
Components: Flash SoftwareIntroduction to Flash Template Size 7.
Group Components:Group ResearchDiscussionCollaboration with
contentInformation Architecture Software LinkProject 1: Aligned
Learner OutcomesStudent Outcomes
PerformanceIndicatorsEmployabilitySkills? Or 21stCentury
OutcomeIntegrated Activity& Assessment1.
VennDiagramAssignment2. PaperPrototypewire framingassignmentCreate
a completepaper prototypewhich includesideas for graphics,color
scheme, text,potential clickstreams andorganization ofcontent
consideringthe user interactionwith a mobileapplication.1.
Organized lists ofcontent andinformationcontained in
theapplication(wireframe).2. Color schemeappropriate
fordesign.3.DrawingsdepictingPotential graphicsand text layout.4.
Consideration ofuser in button sizesand interaction ondevice of
visualelements.5. Organizedstructure
ofinformationarchitecturemapping everypossible navigationthrough
applicationdesign.6. Description ofnotable clickstreams
forconsideration of enduser obtaining
data.TeamworkCollaborationIdentifyingconsumer
needsMarketingDesign/Layout skillsProblem solvingAssessment:
RubricProject 2: Flash App Layout Design ActivityProject 2: Goals
8. The goal of this project is to have a fully functional 4-5 page
application which canbe tested within the program. The application
should also contain the components ofthe information architecture
and paper prototype from the previous project.1. Integrate
information architecture and design into layout into flash
software2. Have pages link by buttons back and forth3. Insert
images and text4. Test your application as a movie and view for
problems(debugging)5. Develop basic understanding of Flash
Interface & ToolsProject Description: Using a video tutorial to
assist us will walk through laying out amobile application in the
Flash software. This tutorial will allow students to learn
theinterface of Adobe Flash and begin the layout of their first
project.Project Outcome:For this app you and your partner will
create a basic application which has a minimum of5 pages. Each page
should have a button which directs it back to the home page
and/orthe next page.Considerations in This Project:Integrating
Layout into softwareFlash software skillsCollaborative Technology
LearningProblem solving Layout issuesCoverage Area Terms:Flash
CS5.5,Layers,Timeline,Libraries,Buttons,Actions,Actionscript3.0,Stage,toolbar,pages,keyframes,jpeg,png,Android
template,text.Design Components of This Lesson:Creating Pages-These
will be the separate areas to add content and navigate
between.Adding Graphics-These will be images or pictures made with
Photoshop which can beadded to the application.Making Button-This
is an action we can add to a graphic to send the user to another
placeon the timeline or web link. Buttons can be made in the
Photoshop software as well.Integrating an Information
Architecture-This is the organization of content intended inthe
design of the application.Technical Components: Flash
SoftwareCreating & Managing LayersMaking ButtonsText
ToolsInserting Key framesStage sizing and Placement of
ElementsGroup ComponentsTeamwork: 9. Organization of content as a
small groupIdea development deciding on a topic and adding
graphics, creating layout and executingprojects.Information
Architecture Software LinkVideo TutorialLink of VideoAssessment
Rubric/Self AssessmentProject 2: Aligned Learner
OutcomesStudentOutcomesPerformance Indicators EmployabilitySkills?
Or21stCenturyOutcomeIntegrated
Activity&AssessmentCreateacomplete
4-5pagemobileapplicationwhichcan betestedin theFlashinterface.1.
Application of information architecture and design(color scheme,
graphics, text) into Flash software.2.Technical components of Flash
software
properlyused(pages,buttons,keyframes,graphics,text,testing,layers,libraries,stage
orientation and sizing,templates.3. Use of original graphics in
layout and designcreated in Photoshop or other graphics program.4.
Consideration of user in button sizes andinteraction on device of
visual elements.5. Layout neatly organized and comparable to
paperprototype.6. Video tests as expected and moves properly
frompage to page.TeamworkCollaborationTechnology
taskcompletionDesign/Layout skillsProblemsolvingProjectManagement1.
Step bysteptutorialoutliningalltechnicalcomponents of
Flashapplication.2.Studentsapply ownprojectidea todesign. 10.
Assessment: RubricProject 3: Learning About API TechnologyThe goals
for this project are to introduce students to API technologies and
havethem integrate some examples into their own projects.Project 3:
Goals Complete overview of APIs Conduct research on current
available API technology Complete Accelerometer tutorial Complete
Google Map Tutorial Complete Video Tutorial Integrate API into
current Application ideaProject Description: In this project
students will be given an overview of APItechnology and what it can
do. Students will also be asked to do their own webbased research
on API and contribute to class discussion. Understanding what
APItechnology can do can have a huge amount of interactivity and
power of tools toyour app.Students will conduct web based research
in small groups and report out to the restof the class. The web
based research should be based on finding what are some newcurrent
APIs and identifying the context of the users and technology
connected tothese APIs(mobile phones, web based, tablets,
apps).Central Question: How can API technology change our
interactivity with mobiledevices?Assignment 1: Web Research
response sheet on API technology. 11. Assignment 2: Students will
be introduced to the accelerometer template in Flash.Assignment 3:
Students will be shown the example of adding a Google map link toan
application.Project Outcome: At the conclusion of this project
students will have a more broadunderstanding of how API
technologies can be integrated into their mobileapplications.
Students will also have an understanding of the constantly
changingenvironments of technologies as they relate to adding
usability to mobile devices.Students should have completed the two
video based assignments which includeanalyzing and changing the
code in the accelerometer template and the GoogleMaps
tutorial.Design Components of This Lesson:Choice of graphics for
accelerometer tutorialPage layout for Google mapChoice of
videoTechnical Components:Code knowledge for AccelerometerCode
knowledge for Google MapIntegrate video into application
page(adding files to database/linking video)Group
ComponentsTeamwork:Project 3: Learner Aligned OutcomesAssessment
Rubric/Self AssessmentStudent Outcomes
PerformanceIndicatorsEmployabilitySkills? Or 21stCentury
OutcomeIntegrated Activity& Assessment 12. 1.
Researchresponsesheet.2. CompletedFlash files ofAccelerometer
andGoogleLink.Students will haveabroadunderstanding ofthe
APItechnologies andhow and they canadd usability andfunction
ability tomobileapplications.Students willresearch theenvironment
ofthese technologiesand report back tothe class.Students will
thenbe led through 2separate tutorialswhich willintroduce them
toapplying APIs inFlash toapplications.Assignment 1:Students will
beintroduced to theaccelerometertemplate in Flash.Assignment
2:Students will beshown the exampleof adding a Googlemap link to
anapplication.1. Student researchand report a currentweb based
article onmobile APItechnology. Studentshould read andreport most
relevantinformation aboutthe technologies forclass discussions.2.
Students willhave a completedFlash file from
theaccelerometertemplate whichrepresents their ownimage and
objects.4. Students willhave a final flashfile whichincorporates
aGoogle maps link.TeamworkCollaborationSoftware
applicationskillsProblem solvingIdentification
ofTechnologiesAssessment: RubricProject 4: Creating the Certificate
& Exporting the .APK fileProject 4: Goals 13. The goals for
project 4 are to prepare a Flash file for export to an Android
deviceand be able to check the application for errors. The icon
which shows on ahomepage is also created and added to the file.
Learn the steps to create a self signed certificate Learn how to
export the .APK Add file to the Android device file system. Test
and debug application on device Install Adobe Air Software Create
48pxX48px icon for app project and add to project Understand how to
add additional files to package of projectProject Description: This
project will allow students to walk through the process ofcreating
a file certificate then exporting the .APK file and adding this
file to a device fortesting. The goals of this project are to
experiment with the process of debugging anapplication by viewing
it on a device. In this project the basics of creating an icon for
theapplication and the basics of adding an app to the
market.Project Outcome: Small groups have successfully exported an
.APK and created an iconwhich has been uploaded with the
file.Students are also aware of the App market.Design Components of
This Lesson:Creating the Icon GraphicResizing ImagesTechnical
Components: Flash SoftwareCreating the CertificateExporting the
APKAdding the application to the DeviceGroup ComponentsTeamwork:
14. Assessment Rubric/Self AssessmentStudent Outcomes
PerformanceIndicatorsEmployabilitySkills? Or 21stCentury
OutcomeIntegrated Activity& Assessment3. Tutorial oncreating
anIcon for theapplication.4. Tutorialassistingwith creatingthe
selfsignedcertificateandexporting the.APK.5. Adding theAPK to
anAndroiddevice andtesting thefunctionality.Students will createa
self signedcertificate andexport theirapplication as an.APK
file.They will then addtheir application toan Android deviceand
test and debugtheir application.1. Exported .APKfile.2. Application
fullyfunctional onAndroid device.TeamworkCollaborationSoftware
applicationskillsProblem solvingIdentification
ofTechnologiesTesting &Debugging
issuesGraphicDesign/MarketingSkills.Assessment: RubricProject 5:
Creating an Authentic Mobile ApplicationProject 5: Goals 15. The
goal for Project 5 is to have students create a mobile application
collaborativelybased on an authentic scenario. Students should need
to use all of the projectsleading up to this one in order to be
successful. Students groups synthesize and create paper prototype
Collaborate on the integration of Flash software to create
application designand layout Export application to Android device
Address authentic scenario proposed by instructorProject
Description: This project will allow students to develop their own
idea for amobile application based on an authentic question. The
students will need to revisit eachproject and master the skills
entailed in order to create a cumulative group project.
Thechallenge to students will be to collaborate and share skills,
ideas as well as address theauthentic scenario provided by the
instructor.Project Outcome: Small groups have successfully
collaborated and developed severalartifacts from their development.
An information architecture, final app on device,development notes,
anticipated user experience, icon, graphics, applied technology in
theapplication.Groups should be able to describe their approach,
challenges, collaborativeexperience and how well they address in a
statement how they addressed the needsof the authentic
scenario.Design Components of This Lesson:Information architecture
based on anticipated user interactionIcon for
applicationGraphicsButtonsColor scheme (color scheme designer
3)Technical Components:Flash file containing all pages and
technologies in applicationExported .APK fileApplication installed
on mobile device for presentationGroup
ComponentsTeamwork:Assessment Rubric/Self Assessment