1. PROJECT OVERVIEW: Developing Android Mobile Applications in Flash
Overview
A curriculum enabling students to design, develop an then test mobile applications on
mobile devices addresses several cross cutting trends affecting the learning of technology
curriculum(Becta,2008). The current trend of mobile devices being used in and out of the
classroom to communicate, collaborate and personalize learning opportunities makes
teaching and training students to understand the design and technologies involved in how
these tools work imperative.
Mobile Application Development can be done in a variety of formats and with variety
of tools. This project focuses on the team development of mobile application design,
development and testing using the Flash platform. Enabling students to develop their own
personalized Web 2.0 tools enables collaboration and information sharing in new ways
which push the personalization of education tools to new levels.
Focus
This course will provide an overview of the mobile application landscape in terms of
devices, development, operating systems and changing levels of personalization in
terms of the technologies available and perspectives on organizing content on this
medium.
Content development for mobile applications and the influence interface design has
on the user experience will be a focus. Students will acquire technology skills to
develop their own applications in the Flash Authoring software and will test and
debug 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 the
course. Each section of this course will represent a key component to the process of
developing an application and will need to be repeated collaboratively for the final
project.
The team approaches to the projects and the ability of groups to address each
project efficiently and with a conscientious approach towards design and
development will improve the ability of the group to answer an authentic based
question which will drive all aspects of the project. Addressing 21st
century
employability skills such as “real world scenarios, team work, cumulative projects
and 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 groups
replicating a design/development studio.
Students will be asked to develop projects which address an authentic need for a
mobile application. Through the process of concept development, creation and
development of the application, testing and debugging the applications students will
be applying collaborative skills to synthesize ideas and technical skills to create the
app 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 Development
Student fluency using technology tools
Addressing the authentic questions for “real world” scenarios
Maintaining a strong collaborative, team approach to problem solve and resolve critical
issues related to technology.
Knowledge/Skills/Attitudes
Knowledge:
Information technology disciplines
Hardware
Phones & Tablets
Desktop Computers
Software
Adobe Flash
Mobile Operating Systems with an emphasis on OS
Application with an emphasis on design.
Internet, Web research and web based collaboration tools
Digital Media
Business/Marketing Trends
Social Media
Web Based Advertising
Skills:
Technology Skills
Understanding Basic Code Structures
Designing graphics
Application of Design concepts to software technology
Managing different file types and Software knowledge
Application of API technologies
Interacting with multiple computer based interfaces (desktop
computers, mobile devices)
Communications
Communicate in professional manner (e-mail, voice mail, in person)

3. Listen empathetically
Document process
Report for feedback
Make professional presentation
Critical thinking
Troubleshooting (problem solve)
Synthesize findings (draw conclusions supported by evidence)
Problem Solving
Collaboration
Merging expertise (distributed knowledge)
Work together as a team
Give/receive feedback
Prioritize tasks
Compare and evaluate possible solutions
Project Management
Attitudes (habits of mind):
Value teamwork
Accountability to team and client
Tenacity/Persistence
Curiosity and open-mindedness
Challenge assumptions
Intended Outcomes
Research Mobile Application trends; document and report findings
Research career possibilities (Graphic Designer, Programmer, Information
Architect, Software Developer)
Troubleshoot Mobile Application on Device (problem analysis)
Use of Flash Software (Actionscript 3.0) to Create Mobile Application
Design Mobile Application Information Architecture
Analyze Mobile Application Development Environment
Task management/project management/problem solving
Present proposed solution to Authentic Scenario
Assessment
Formative rubrics
Employability Skills
Teamwork
Technical Components
Completion Targets
Summative rubric
“Developing Mobile Applications in Flash” includes team-based problem/project projects
which address IT skills and implement employability skills.

4. Project 1: Information Architecture & Content Design
Employability Skills: Team member roles and tasks; plan,
analyze, design and develop methods for organizing content and
developing architecture for the anticipated navigation of the
consumer through the content of the mobile application.
IT Skills: Problem-solve
Project Skills: Create a complete paper prototype which includes
ideas for graphics, color scheme, text, potential click
streams and organization of content considering the user.
Project 2: Flash App Layout Design Activity
Employability Skills: Team member roles and tasks; plan,
analyze, design and develop a four page mobile application using
Flash software.
IT Skills: Problem-solve
Flash Skills: Create multiple pages, graphics, text and
Actionscript code to preview a mobile application.
Project 3: Learning About API Technology
Employability Skills: Team member roles and tasks; identify and
implement API technologies that can add usability to the mobile
application design.
IT Skills: Integrate API’s using Actionscript and Flash software
into design.
Project Skills: Create a document that clearly and concisely
records the team’s performance. The document should be free of
spelling and grammar errors.
Project 4: Creating the Certificate & Exporting the APK file
Employability Skills: Team member roles and tasks; export
application to device and test application for proper functions of
application and device use.
IT Skills: Properly create self signed certificate and export APK
file for addition to Android device.
Project Skills: Exporting the APK file properly will enable the
students to view the application on the Android device.
Project 5: Creating an Authentic Mobile Application
Employability Skills: Team member roles and tasks; plan,
analyze, design and develop a mobile application from concept
to finished application based on an authentic scenario provided
by the instructor.
IT Skills: Problem-solve
Project Skills: Concept development, information architecture
development, development of app in Flash software and
presenting the final app on an Android device.
Project 6: Presentation of final application

5. Employability Skills: Team member roles and tasks; present final
application and describe details of the process of concept
development and technology development. The presentation
should also include how the application addresses the authentic
scenario and considers the consumer in the design process.
IT Skills:
Project Skills: Professional organization and presentation of
mobile application content. Well planned and sequenced to
explain their design and development experience.
PROJECT 1: Information Architecture & Content Design
PROJECT 1 GOAL
The goal of this project is to develop students understanding the proper layout of
information in a mobile application and also the anticipated user experience of the
consumer of a mobile app.
1. Complete Venn Diagramming for Content, Context and Users
2. Complete Information Architecture paper prototype for mobile application
idea (should contain layout for at least 5 pages).
3. Introduction to Flash Mobile Templates
4. Self Assessment for Mobile Environment & Design Knowledge
PROJECT 1 DESCRIPTION
Project Description: In this project we will investigate the components of a mobile
architecture and prepare a mobile architecture design.
Final Project Outcome: The final project for this will be a completed wireframe
representing an idea for a mobile application and a series of drawings representing the
home page with navigation and 3-4 other pages.
The Project

6. Scenario:
Venn Diagram
This activity begins with the discussion of the variety of mobile content and the needs
and wants of consumers when they use mobile applications. Students will be asked to
develop a simple idea for an application based on a children’s game or ……. Students
will then develop a list of items under ach heading content, context and users. (see
activity sheet)
Paper Prototyping
After completing the brainstorming activity the ideas will be synthesized into a paper
prototype which will take into account the screen size in pixels, color scheme, click
streams, graphics, text styles and organization of pages and content in application. It must
also address the anticipated user and their wants.
Considerations in This Project:
Screen Sizes and resolutions
Consider user interaction with content.
Click streams and how they relate to content
Paper prototyping-wire framing
Device differences
Coverage Area Terms:
Mobile Strategies, Mobile Design,Needs-Goals-Context,Application Types, Application
Contexts, 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 and
content.
Technical Components: Flash Software
Introduction to Flash Template Size

7. Group Components:
Group Research
Discussion
Collaboration with content
Information Architecture Software Link
Project 1: Aligned Learner Outcomes
Student Outcomes Performance
Indicators
Employability
Skills? Or 21st
Century Outcome
Integrated Activity
& Assessment
1. Venn
Diagram
Assignment
2. Paper
Prototype
wire framing
assignment
Create a complete
paper prototype
which includes
ideas for graphics,
color scheme, text,
potential click
streams and
organization of
content considering
the user interaction
with a mobile
application.
1. Organized lists of
content and
information
contained in the
application
(wireframe).
2. Color scheme
appropriate for
design.
3.Drawings
depicting
Potential graphics
and text layout.
4. Consideration of
user in button sizes
and interaction on
device of visual
elements.
5. Organized
structure of
information
architecture
mapping every
possible navigation
through application
design.
6. Description of
notable click
streams for
consideration of end
user obtaining data.
Teamwork
Collaboration
Identifying
consumer needs
Marketing
Design/Layout skills
Problem solving
Assessment: Rubric
Project 2: Flash App Layout Design Activity
Project 2: Goals

8. The goal of this project is to have a fully functional 4-5 page application which can
be tested within the program. The application should also contain the components of
the information architecture and paper prototype from the previous project.
1. Integrate information architecture and design into layout into flash software
2. Have pages link by buttons back and forth
3. Insert images and text
4. Test your application as a movie and view for problems(debugging)
5. Develop basic understanding of Flash Interface & Tools
Project Description: Using a video tutorial to assist us will walk through laying out a
mobile application in the Flash software. This tutorial will allow students to learn the
interface 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 of
5 pages. Each page should have a button which directs it back to the home page and/or
the next page.
Considerations in This Project:
Integrating Layout into software
Flash software skills
Collaborative Technology Learning
Problem solving Layout issues
Coverage Area Terms:
Flash CS5.5,Layers,Timeline,Libraries,Buttons,Actions,Actionscript
3.0,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 be
added to the application.
Making Button-This is an action we can add to a graphic to send the user to another place
on 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 in
the design of the application.
Technical Components: Flash Software
Creating & Managing Layers
Making Buttons
Text Tools
Inserting Key frames
Stage sizing and Placement of Elements
Group Components
Teamwork:

9. Organization of content as a small group
Idea development deciding on a topic and adding graphics, creating layout and executing
projects.
Information Architecture Software Link
Video Tutorial
Link of Video
Assessment Rubric/Self Assessment
Project 2: Aligned Learner Outcomes
Studen
t
Outco
mes
Performance Indicators Employab
ility
Skills? Or
21st
Century
Outcome
Integrate
d Activity
&Assess
ment
Create
a
complet
e 4-5
page
mobile
applicat
ion
which
can be
tested
in the
Flash
interfac
e.
1. Application of information architecture and design
(color scheme, graphics, text) into Flash software.
2.Technical components of Flash software properly
used(pages,buttons,keyframes,graphics,text,testing,l
ayers,libraries,stage orientation and sizing,
templates.
3. Use of original graphics in layout and design
created in Photoshop or other graphics program.
4. Consideration of user in button sizes and
interaction on device of visual elements.
5. Layout neatly organized and comparable to paper
prototype.
6. Video tests as expected and moves properly from
page to page.
Teamwork
Collaborat
ion
Technolog
y task
completio
n
Design/La
yout skills
Problem
solving
Project
Manageme
nt
1. Step by
step
tutorial
outlining
all
technical
componen
ts of Flash
applicatio
n.
2.
Students
apply own
project
idea to
design.

10. Assessme
nt: Rubric
Project 3: Learning About API Technology
The goals for this project are to introduce students to API technologies and have
them integrate some examples into their own projects.
Project 3: Goals
 Complete overview of API’s
 Conduct research on current available API technology
 Complete Accelerometer tutorial
 Complete Google Map Tutorial
 Complete Video Tutorial
 Integrate API into current Application idea
Project Description: In this project students will be given an overview of API
technology and what it can do. Students will also be asked to do their own web
based research on API’ and contribute to class discussion. Understanding what API
technology can do can have a huge amount of interactivity and power of tools to
your app.
Students will conduct web based research in small groups and report out to the rest
of the class. The web based research should be based on finding what are some new
current API’s and identifying the context of the users and technology connected to
these API’s(mobile phones, web based, tablets, apps).
Central Question: How can API technology change our interactivity with mobile
devices?
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 to
an application.
Project Outcome: At the conclusion of this project students will have a more broad
understanding of how API technologies can be integrated into their mobile
applications. Students will also have an understanding of the constantly changing
environments of technologies as they relate to adding usability to mobile devices.
Students should have completed the two video based assignments which include
analyzing and changing the code in the accelerometer template and the Google
Maps tutorial.
Design Components of This Lesson:
Choice of graphics for accelerometer tutorial
Page layout for Google map
Choice of video
Technical Components:
Code knowledge for Accelerometer
Code knowledge for Google Map
Integrate video into application page(adding files to database/linking video)
Group Components
Teamwork:
Project 3: Learner Aligned Outcomes
Assessment Rubric/Self Assessment
Student Outcomes Performance
Indicators
Employability
Skills? Or 21st
Century Outcome
Integrated Activity
& Assessment

12. 1. Research
response
sheet.
2. Completed
Flash files of
Acceleromet
er and
Google
Link.
Students will have
abroad
understanding of
the API
technologies and
how and they can
add usability and
function ability to
mobile
applications.
Students will
research the
environment of
these technologies
and report back to
the class.
Students will then
be led through 2
separate tutorials
which will
introduce them to
applying API’s in
Flash to
applications.
Assignment 1:
Students will be
introduced to the
accelerometer
template in Flash.
Assignment 2:
Students will be
shown the example
of adding a Google
map link to an
application.
1. Student research
and report a current
web based article on
mobile API
technology. Student
should read and
report most relevant
information about
the technologies for
class discussions.
2. Students will
have a completed
Flash file from the
accelerometer
template which
represents their own
image and objects.
4. Students will
have a final flash
file which
incorporates a
Google maps link.
Teamwork
Collaboration
Software application
skills
Problem solving
Identification of
Technologies
Assessment: Rubric
Project 4: Creating the Certificate & Exporting the .APK file
Project 4: Goals

13. The goals for project 4 are to prepare a Flash file for export to an Android device
and be able to check the application for errors. The icon which shows on a
homepage 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 project
Project Description: This project will allow students to walk through the process of
creating a file certificate then exporting the .APK file and adding this file to a device for
testing. The goals of this project are to experiment with the process of debugging an
application by viewing it on a device. In this project the basics of creating an icon for the
application and the basics of adding an app to the market.
Project Outcome: Small groups have successfully exported an .APK and created an icon
which has been uploaded with the file.
Students are also aware of the App market.
Design Components of This Lesson:
Creating the Icon Graphic
Resizing Images
Technical Components: Flash Software
Creating the Certificate
Exporting the APK
Adding the application to the Device
Group Components
Teamwork:

14. Assessment Rubric/Self Assessment
Student Outcomes Performance
Indicators
Employability
Skills? Or 21st
Century Outcome
Integrated Activity
& Assessment
3. Tutorial on
creating an
Icon for the
application.
4. Tutorial
assisting
with creating
the self
signed
certificate
and
exporting the
.APK.
5. Adding the
APK to an
Android
device and
testing the
functionality
.
Students will create
a self signed
certificate and
export their
application as an
.APK file.
They will then add
their application to
an Android device
and test and debug
their application.
1. Exported .APK
file.
2. Application fully
functional on
Android device.
Teamwork
Collaboration
Software application
skills
Problem solving
Identification of
Technologies
Testing &
Debugging issues
Graphic
Design/Marketing
Skills.
Assessment: Rubric
Project 5: Creating an Authentic Mobile Application
Project 5: Goals

15. The goal for Project 5 is to have students create a mobile application collaboratively
based on an authentic scenario. Students should need to use all of the projects
leading 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 design
and layout
 Export application to Android device
 Address authentic scenario proposed by instructor
Project Description: This project will allow students to develop their own idea for a
mobile application based on an authentic question. The students will need to revisit each
project and master the skills entailed in order to create a cumulative group project. The
challenge to students will be to collaborate and share skills, ideas as well as address the
authentic scenario provided by the instructor.
Project Outcome: Small groups have successfully collaborated and developed several
artifacts from their development. An information architecture, final app on device,
development notes, anticipated user experience, icon, graphics, applied technology in the
application.
Groups should be able to describe their approach, challenges, collaborative
experience and how well they address in a statement how they addressed the needs
of the authentic scenario.
Design Components of This Lesson:
Information architecture based on anticipated user interaction
Icon for application
Graphics
Buttons
Color scheme (color scheme designer 3)
Technical Components:
Flash file containing all pages and technologies in application
Exported .APK file
Application installed on mobile device for presentation
Group Components
Teamwork:
Assessment Rubric/Self Assessment