HTML5 or Flash ?

Ok. I'll admit, right up front, that I'm not going to take sides on this one.  I've been a long-time developer using both HTML-based and Flash-based solutions. I'm quite comfortable using either technology to get the job done.

To use a mechanical analogy: Say you hand me either a pair of needle-nose pliers OR a pair of lineman's (or "combination") pliers. These are certainly different tools and have different functions...but, I can sure squeeze/pinch/etc. the heck out of something with either one. The same can be said for HTML5 or Flash; each have their own specific set of advantages, but both come in quite handy, when it comes to getting the job done, especially from a software solutions perspective.

A recent blog article on http://www.trainingindustry.com further discusses HTML5 and Flash's differences, but supports the above idea that either/both technologies work well. The article goes on to discuss "HTML5 in Learning Solutions" and highlights some advantages. Namely, Semantics, Multimedia, Graphics, Device access, and Offline Storage. I'd suggest viewing the article at http://www.trainingindustry.com/learning-technologies/articles/using-html5-in-learning-solutions.aspx to get the full description behind these.
One part of the article stands out to me, which I will quote here:

HTML5 in Learning Solutions: Collaborative Learning
There is yet another aspect to the learning equation and how HTML5 can play a role that is quite distinct in the world of learning solutions, with respect to social collaboration. Just about everyone is familiar with social networks these days and the benefits of staying connected in the personal and professional world. HTML5 makes it easy to build solutions around collaboration among a group of experts and learners. Collaboration in the online world is so powerful that it can change the way everything works.

I agree with much of this. Thinking towards social media, such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and/or other, it becomes clear that we developers need to plan for implementation of these technologies, not matter what platform for which we are creating content. Take the JSFiddle example below, showing how easy it is to grab Tweets using jQuery. Click the 'Result' button to run the simple script.

 Of course, this is a rudimentary example, but think of the possibilities implementing the social aspect for our clients, as we deploy to desktop units or even mobile devices, using HTML5.  Certainly, I am not taking sides here - I will continue to use both Flash and/or HTML5 where needed...however, I use the example above to remind us, as developers, that we can continue to think past our current technological reach.


For now, we'll see how the comparison between the two solutions work out. I'd wager that both will be around for quite some time, for us to all argue over, even if one dies on the vine. (...I mean, there are still developers out there programming in Authorware, right?)

What I 'Got' from eLearning DevCon 2012

It goes without saying (...or, um, typing...?) that there was much to learn from this year's eLearning DevCon 2012 (http://elearningdevcon.com/), or "ELDC2012", held in the very beautiful Salt Lake City, Utah, June 6-8th, 2012. Greg Gardner, Damian Liska, Stephanie Spinapolice, and myself - all from ICF International - had the distinct honor of participating in ELDC2012 in several ways, such as:

Stephanie Spinapolice at the ICF booth

• Presenting on highly technical topics
• Giving bring your own laptop ("BYOL" sessions)
• Having an exhibitor booth...
• ...As well as being a sponsor the conference itself

However, beyond this, there are some very important 'take-aways' from ELDC2012, which I shall list here in no particular order or fashion:

Michael Sheyahshe giving presentation

• SLC is beautiful
• Having never been to Utah for any reason, it was nice to see such breathtaking views.
• People are excited to both learn about and utilize technology
• Directly after my talk on Augmented Reality ("AR"), one audience member used the information from my talk to create AR for her friend's band. While she was amazed at how easy it was, saying it took her 50 seconds, from start to finish. It is one of the best compliments, as a presenter to have someone actively use information I've given, almost directly in front of my eyes.
• ELDC2012 participants are highly diverse, ranging from Designers, Developers, Programmers, and anything in-between

• During my sessions and presentations, I noticed how diverse the audience members, participants, and other presenters were. As I answered questions and had ensuing conversations afterwards, I found that ELDC2012 participants came armed with questions and interest levels all across the board. They certainly kept me on my toes.
• Social networking is alive and well
• Not only were there many continuous Tweets on ELDC2012, I also made several friends at the conference, using social networks.  Power to the people !  :)
• Thoughts on thinking



 Neuroscientist, Dr. Art Kohn

• Dr. Art Kohn's Keynote on "Know the Mind. Know the Learner" was insightful and entertaining. The 'tricks' he played on the audience's minds - such as making the majority of the audience think that he had list the word that he had not listed - reminded me of a recent article in Wired on the way our minds, specifically memory, works. Wired's The Forgetting Pill Erases Painful Memories Forever, outlines how "our memories are not inert packets of data and they don’t remain constant", based on brain chemistry and neighboring receptors within our grey matter. Dr. Kohn's talk on the difference between encoding information the brain and retrieval of knowledge supported this notion...at least in my brain.
• Apparently, there are several celebrity sightings in SLC
• One of the several friends I made - from both presenting and via social networks (i.e., Twitter) - encountered not one, but two celebrities during ELDC2012. The first, Jay Mohr, was in our hotel at the university for some odd reason; next my Twitter friend spotted Katherine Heigl at the airport. Lucky...

In all, ELDC2012 was a wonderful experience and I'm proud to have been a part of it and look forward to seeing what eLearning DevCon has to offer in the near future.