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Choosing Between Java and Flash for Educational Simulations in Physics

Educators often wonder whether to invest time in learning Java, Flash, or both for creating interactive physics simulations. This discussion compares the two programming languages, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses. Java, a powerful, reliable option, is ideal for complex simulations, while Flash offers an easier learning curve and wider reach due to browser compatibility. Both platforms are user-tested, research-based, and support the development of engaging educational content. Explore the best choice for your teaching needs with insights from experts at the University of Colorado at Boulder.

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Choosing Between Java and Flash for Educational Simulations in Physics

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  1. Funding: Kavli Operating Institute NSF PER Group CU-Boulder Should a Fortran-savvy educator learn Java, Flash, both,or neither? Michael Dubson, Physics Dept University of Colorado at Boulder michael.dubson@colorado.edu

  2. Physics Education Technology Project Wendy Adams, Mike Dubson, Noah Finkelstein, Kathy Perkins, Noah Podolefsky, Sam Reid, and Carl Wieman U.Colorado at Boulder, Ron LeMaster, Kavli Operating Institute • Highly interactive, visual physics simulations (~35) • Fun, real world, visual/conceptual models • Research-based and user-tested • Freeware, online or downloadable http://phet.colorado.edu

  3. JAVA: • Programming language from Sun • Compiler is free • Clients require ~ 15 Meg download to run on PC or Mac • FLASH: • Animation tool and scripting language from Macromedia • Authorware ~$100 • Flash viewer is free • Clients require ~500K browser plug-in

  4. Java and Flash are both… • Platform-independent (mostly) • Immune to viruses (they say) • Widely available (hmm…) • Powerful (truly!) ~ ideal for creation and wide Internet delivery of educational software

  5. Flash Flash MX Flash MX 2004 Java and Flash are both.. • Complex:Difficult to master without previous experience in Object Oriented Programming • Evolving: Java appears to have stabilized, but Flash is still undergoing major revisions at ~2 year intervals.

  6. My Java/Flash books

  7. f u n c t i o n s f u n c t i o n s functions variables variables objects variables What is Object Oriented Programming?It is not Procedural Programming. Procedural Programming (Fortran, Basic, Pascal, …) OO Programming (Java, C++, …)

  8. Why Object Oriented Programming? • More “natural” (to the unfossilized young) • Much less debugging needed • Easier to maintain, extend, update

  9. Java vs. Flash Java has some advantages:

  10. Java vs. Flash Flash has some advantages:

  11. Conclusions: • Use Java or Flash to create sophisticated, interactive simulations that can be delivered widely and safely over the Internet • Use Java if you need speed, or have a very complex simulation. • Use Flash is you want the most users. • Use someone else unless you have lots of time.

  12. phet.colorado.edu Website freeware

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