What is Flash and what's the problem?
Adobe's Flash enabled developers to create animated content for web-based resources, including learning resources.
Using Flash, developers could create a learning object with interactive elements, such as play buttons, or clickable areas which reveal further information, or which take the user on a journey through different screens.
Support for Flash is now coming to an end
Browser support (Firefox, Chrome, Internet Explorer etc) has gradually declined, with the Flash player (which enables you to view Flash resources in a web browser) being disabled by default. Adobe will end distribution and support of the Flash player at the end of December 2020 and it will then be removed completely from these web browsers.
What this means is that any Flash-based learning materials you use with your students will no longer work. This could be small elements within a web-based learning resource, or the entire resource, depending on how it was developed.
The following pages contain advice on how to detect Flash-based content in web-based learning objects, and what to do about it.
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay / Licence
Detecting Flash content
If your web-based resources were developed within the last couple of years, they are unlikely to contain Flash. However, if they were developed some years ago, using a platform such as Wimba or SoftChalk, they may well contain Flash objects.
Option 1: Check learning resources in the Brightspace content area
The Flash player is disabled by default in most web browsers, so you will be presented with the option to run Adobe Flash where an embedded Flash object is detected.
Before you click the icon to enable Flash - which then enables all the Flash objects within that resource - check through the remaining pages to see if there are any more and take a note of the pages.
This will give you an idea of the scale of the redevelopment which may be required.
If a learning resource has been packaged within a framework similar to the one shown below, which uses Flash components to manage the navigation and other elements, the entire resource will need to be redeveloped in an alternative format.
Option 2: Check the Brightspace files area
Open the 'Manage Files' area of Brightspace (via Course Tools > Course Admin) and check for files with a .swf file extension - these are often located in folders called 'flash' or 'media'.
Check all folders and if you find Flash files, take a note of their number and location.
This will give you an idea of the scale of the redevelopment which may be required.
Reviewing Flash content
If your learning resources contain Flash objects, you will need to review each of these, and as you do so, consider alternative ways to present the content within.
For example, you may find that some Flash objects were created simply to animate text and images, so that they appear one at a time, similar to how you might animate content in a PowerPoint presentation. In this case the Flash object could simply be replaced with static text and images.
If the Flash object includes interactive elements, such as buttons or clickable areas which reveal further information, you might think about creating a video or screen cast, or providing access to an online video instead. Some interaction, such as quizzes, could be redeveloped using Brightspace tools.
This is an opportunity to enhance your resources and get them right up to date.
Viewing Flash content in a web browser
Flash objects within a learning resource can be activated by clicking on the option to 'Run Adobe Flash'. This option will not be available after the end of December 2020.
Viewing Flash content outside a web browser
A stand-alone viewer is available from the Adobe website. You will need to download the Flash files (.swf) from Brightspace and drag each into the viewer to see what they contain. The viewer allows you to interact with clickable elements of the Flash object, such as buttons and hot spots.
This article will guide you through the process: How to play Adobe Flash SWF files outside your web browser.
Replacing Flash content
Flash objects within your learning resources will need to be replaced. How you implement this will depend on why Flash has been used (see previous page), and the skills and tools at your disposal. Supporting Learning Online (in Brightspace) includes a section on creating and sourcing learning content.
Replacing Flash components while keeping original resource intact
It may be possible to keep the current resource intact, and simply replace the Flash components in affected pages with alternative content, such as text and images - this requires knowledge of HTML as a minimum.
This option is not viable if the entire resource has been packaged with Flash elements as in the example shown on page 2.
Recreating the learning object in Forge
An edited and updated version of the learning resource can be recreated in Forge (this resource was developed in Forge).
Forge is a simple to use text editor, developed by Mark Wilkie of the EDU, which is available to all staff at the university. Forge enables you to quickly develop attractive and engaging web-based learning resources, in an up to date, accessible format, which adjust to fit the device on which they are being viewed.
You may find it helpful to copy and paste the content of the current resource into the EDU writers template for editing, prior to developing the new resource in Forge.
- which elements should be in the Forge object - for example, the topic based content for that session; and
- which elements would be better placed in Brightspace - for example activities, such as quizzes, discussion topics and further reading.
This activity, in Supporting Learning Online, will walk you through the process of creating a learning resource in Forge.
Recreating content in Brightspace
Forge objects (see above) can be uploaded to Brightspace, and are ideal for the topic based content, including text, images and embedded video.
You can also develop individual pages in Brightspace, embed media, such as videos and images, and create quizzes and other activities such as discussion forums.
Guidance on using Brightspace tools can be found in the Brightspace guidance portal.
Other options
Other options include creating resources in Word, PowerPoint (you can create screencasts in Powerpoint) and videos, all of which can be embedded within your Brightspace course area. Videos should be uploaded to the Medial streaming server, and made available in Brightspace through the embed code provided.
Visit Supporting Learning Online in Brightspace for guidance and links to useful resources.
EDU support
If your resources were developed by the EDU, or to seek EDU advice and support, please log a request for via Unidesk.