|
|
eZedia &
the Path
+ Event
"Annotating a Science Graph"
Part 1
Part
2
This is Part 2 of our project where we
are
annotating a science graph. In Part 1, we added our graph to the
background of our
frame and then created a path object and a graphic object. What we want
to do now is to take that simple animation of the graph and start to
take
advantage of some additional features in eZediaMX.
Keep in mind that this is an example of the most basic form of
annotation. There's so much more to come!
Let’s re-cap what’s happened thus far. In Part 1, you’ve created a path
object that lets a ball run along the temperature graph. You also have
a rectangle
that goes up the thermometer. Correct? Good. Now, let’s go on to the
next
step.
We really haven’t had the students annotate the graph yet. We’re
going to add a text box that will appear as soon as the ball stops
along
the path. This is a trick that you will use a thousand times in
eZediaMX
so I thought I would sneak it in early for those of you learning to use
eZediaMX.
14. We’re going to create a text box. Click on the Text icon in the
toolbar - it looks like the letter “A.” The text box will appear in the
middle of your screen. Move it down to the bottom to work on it so you
don’t accidentally do anything to the path object behind it. (Grab it
by the icon in the top left-hand corner of the text box. That's nice
and simple.)
Type the following sentence: The temperature is going up!
Highlight the text as in Figure 18 and then click on Format, Text.
Choose Arial and 16.
Figure 18: The text is highlighted in the text box and we're ready to
click on Format > Text and make our changes.
Move the text box to where you want it to appear when the
ball finishes running up the path. I’ve put it on the right side of the
frame (Figure 19). Think about where the user’s eyes will be at that
time.
Figure 19: Here we are moving the textbox into place on the frame to
where it will appear when the ball stops running up the path.
Pay attention to these next steps!
15. We want the Text Object to appear as a result of
something that happens to do with the Path Object. We need to connect
the two. Because the Text Object is going to be impacted by something
that happens with the path, we’re going to draw a link FROM the
Path Object TO the Text Object as in Figure 20.
Now, look at the link that is going from the Path Object to the Text
Object. That’s where all the action is going to take place next!
Figure 20: We draw the link FROM the path object TO the text box.
16. Move your
mouse cursor over the link between the Path Object and the Text Object.
See Figure 21. Watch when it turns into a hand with a pointy finger.
If you click on the link ONCE, it will become bold. I want you to double-click
on the link between the Path Object and the Text Object so that it will
bring up a menu of choices.
Figure 21: We see the cursor turn into a hand as it moves over the link.
|
17. You’ve just made the magical Link Object dialog
box appear (Figure 21). Here’s what we’re going to do. We have 3
choices
if you look at the box in Figure 21. We want our text box to show up
AFTER
the ball has finished running up the path. That means we want the link
to
pass on its command On Path End.
Click On Path End and then click OK.
Figure 21: Shows the Link Object dialog box that appeared AFTER we
double-clicked on the link between the path object and the text object.
|
18. Preview your project and watch the text object
pop-up at the appropriate time!
Troubleshooting:
Here's are the most frequent errors people make. It's probably a result
of my directions. Take a look:
Symptom: The textbox never appears.
Check:
Look at the preview screen.
Ask: 1. Does the ball ever stop running on the path? Or, does it keep
looping?
Solution: You've got to double-click on the path object and edit it to
take off looping. Just uncheck that box. You missed that part in the
directions. If the ball never stops running, then the path never ends
so the textbox
can't appear. It's like going around a circular race track and waiting
to
get to the end of the road. It never happens!
Ask: 2. Does the ball stop running on the path, but the text box still
doesn't appear?
Solution: It is extremely likely that you've got the link going the
wrong direction. You should have it going from the path object to the
textbox.
Did you forget and make it go from the text box to the path? Look for
the
arrowhead at the end of the link. It should be pointed at the textbox.
Symptom:
The textbox appeared as soon as the path started.
Cure:
Double-click on the Link Object connecting the path object and the
textbox. Do you have it set for On Path End? Or, did you accidentally
set it for
On Path Start?
Jane says:
Learning to do simple problem-solving is even more important than
ending up with a cool project. These are the habits that will stay with
you an
entire lifetime. Learning to think logically and systematically will
always
come in handy.
Challenges:
This is a very, very simple annotation. How might we have students use
voice files, photos, and digital video to add even more information? At
what point would it be too much? What can we add to provide context for
this graph?
What other amazing things could you do by having a link object make
other things appear when a path has ended? How could you combine
elements?
Next steps:
Our next project is going to take what we've learned here and combine
it with the Container Object and the Branch Object to have other cool
things happen.
I'll try and post another practice project for you to use the same
techniques you've used in Part 1 and Part 2 and apply it to social
studies and/or literature. Can you think of what I'm likely to come up
with? |
|
