Education

In the last few years, web applications have evolved from simple HTML websites into engaging applications that provide a rich user experience. Adobe spotted this trend early and has developed technologies that provide some of the best user experiences possible. Adobe introduced the term rich Internet application (RIA) to describe these interactive web applications.

The two main Adobe technologies that allow RIA development are Adobe® Flex® and Adobe AIR™. Developers can use Adobe® Flash® Builder™ to build Flex and AIR projects. RIAs can run inside the browser or on the desktop (using AIR). Examples of these applications are available in the Flex.org showcase and the Flash Platform gallery.

Learning resources for faculty and students

Free Flash Builder Standard

If you are a current student or faculty member at an educational institution, you can get Adobe Flash Builder 4 Standard software free.

Flex in a Week

Build on your programming experience by stepping through this five-day video training course.

RIA and interaction design teaching resources

These resources provide a combination of online workshop modules for self-study, course projects to apply the skills learned, and book recommendations to put together a course on RIA design and development.

Free Adobe CS5 curriculums

Take advantage of yearlong curriculum guides for teaching design, web, and video using Adobe Creative Suite 5 software.

Articles by educators and students

Full Sail University creates a Flex application to facilitate educator response time

Bill Bain, Jason Madsen (Aug 12, 2010)

Adobe AIR and Multi-touch for Multi-user Collaboration

Frank Garofalo (Jul 01, 2010)

Frank Garafalo's graduate research led him to develop a multi-touch table and explore a multi-user interface enabled by Adobe AIR that allows users to engage in well-regarded brainstorming exercises usually conducted with pen and paper.