Today Gayle going to identify ways to use XML and Flash in eLearning, how to change XML to alter a Flash template, analyze best practices and compare and share tips and tricks.
XML - eXtensile Markup Language. It's open standard, meaning that you can use your own tags. So the computer and the human can understand the codes.
Some tools:
- Adobe Dreamweaver (more complicated than it's worth for XML)
- XML Notepad Editor (free!)
- Microsoft Notepad (free!)
- Interoperable
- Content is external from the engine/design
- Faster load times
- Write your own set of tags
- A lot of upfront work
- Need an applicaiton to run XML
- code must be well-formed
Gayle's showing how to update XML code using XML Notepad. <
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First the discussion was about the virtues of using XML & Flash. A little antsy because I know this already. But then she got into the code of XML and Flash's Action Script. Woah... it's too late in the day and my head is crammed with too much stuff to look at code. Plus watching her code on the screen was way too hard becasue the text was way too small.
This may have been cooler if it was a hands-on session. Demonstrate how changes in XML show instantly in the Flash output.
Good takeaway -- show a screenshot of the Flash template page and clearly identify the content areas and their associated character/line count available. Excellent for the IDs to know exactly what their paramaters are.
Using templates frees up your developers to make more custom animations or more templates.
Some other good takeaways that will benefit the team back in the office:
- Consistent naming standards
- Folder and file organization structure
- Gayle's Sample Files (Session 710)
Plan for success:
- Create and maintain a detailed programming plan
- Craete an environment that fosters communitcaion
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