Date: Tue, 06 Mar 2001 17:16:29 -0500

Putting Words into Action: Using Flash for Teaching

Carlos A. C. Baptista, MD, PhD and Susan W. G. Batten, RN, PhD
Medical College of Ohio, Toledo, OH, USA

ABSTRACT

Previously, the primary means of teaching and illustrating concepts in healthcare education has been printed word, static visual aid, and maybe a 35mm film if available and suitable for the topic. With the advent of web-based teaching, the task of the teacher is to present this same material in a more dynamic format that will appeal to all types of learners. Clever and functionally accurate animations are limited, so the educator must engage in design and construction of their own animations. Animations can be developed using different software. Flash, a vector-based program, is ideal for this purpose because it generates animations that conserve bandwidth resources. At the Medical College of Ohio, Flash is utilized to create animations for web delivery as well as classroom teaching.

This demonstration is comprised of a collection of healthcare animations, from illustrating basic concepts to applying clinically focused content. Interactivity, sound, and other tools invite the learner to participate in acquisition of new material. Animating content inspires the educator to think in new ways and stimulates creativity and imagination. Examples will be shared from a collection of over 100 animations, including cell injury, apoptosis, heart development, congenital heart defects, lung development and disorders, newborn physical assessment and other topics.

BENEFIT TO PARTICIPANTS ATTENDING SESSION:

Participant will become engaged in thinking of new strategies to deliver content; be enticed to develop attractive individualized media; and be entertained by the power of Flash.

Carlos A. C. Baptista, MD, PhD
Medical College of Ohio
Department of Pathology
Block Health Science Building
3035 Arlington Avenue
Toledo, Ohio 43614-5804
USA
Phone: (419) 383-4283
Fax: (419) 383-3066
Email: cbaptista@mco.edu
Website: http://www.mco.edu and http://www.medmotion.com

CO-AUTHORS:

Susan W. G. Batten, RN, PhD
Medical College of Ohio
School of Nursing
Howard C.Colier Building
3015 Arlington Avenue
Toledo, Ohio 43614-5803
USA
Phone: (419) 383-5859
Fax: (419) 383-5894
Email: sbatten@mco.edu
Website: http://www.mco.edu and http://www.medmotion.com