Kaplan University: From Flash to iPad

When Apple announced the iPad in 2010 without Flash support, it sent shockwaves through the e-learning industry. Kaplan University had invested heavily in Flash-based interactive courseware, and suddenly their content couldn't reach students on the most exciting new device in education. I was brought in to lead the conversion of their Flash learning modules to native iPad applications.

The Challenge

Kaplan's Flash courseware represented years of development:

• Interactive Simulations: Complex drag-and-drop exercises, animated diagrams, and branching scenarios
• Video Integration: Synchronized video with interactive overlays
• Assessment Tools: Quizzes, tests, and progress tracking
• Accessibility Features: Screen reader support, captions, and alternative inputs

All of this needed to work on iPad while maintaining fidelity to the original learning experience—and ideally improving upon it.

Conversion Strategy

We developed a systematic approach to Flash-to-iOS conversion:

Content Analysis:

• Catalogued all interactive elements and behaviors
• Identified reusable patterns across modules
• Prioritized high-enrollment courses
• Documented Flash-specific features requiring alternatives

Architecture Design:

• Component library for common interactions
• Data-driven content loading
• SCORM-compliant progress tracking
• Offline-capable architecture

Visual Fidelity:

• Matched Flash animations with Core Animation
• Recreated custom fonts and styling
• Adapted layouts for iPad screen sizes
• Maintained brand consistency

Technical Implementation

Converting Flash's capabilities to iOS in 2010-2011 required creative solutions:

Animation Engine:

• Core Animation for smooth, GPU-accelerated animations
• Custom timing functions matching Flash easing
• Particle systems for visual effects
• Sprite sheet animations for complex sequences

Interaction System:

• Multi-touch gesture handling
• Drag-and-drop with physics-based feedback
• Custom hit testing for irregular shapes
• Accessibility support through VoiceOver

Media Playback:

• AVFoundation for video with overlay synchronization
• Audio session management for narration
• Caption rendering and timing
• Bandwidth-adaptive streaming

LMS Integration:

• SCORM 1.2 and 2004 compliance
• Progress persistence across sessions
• Assessment result reporting
• Single sign-on with Kaplan's LMS

Development Process

The conversion required close collaboration with instructional designers:

Iterative Review:

• Weekly reviews with subject matter experts
• Learning effectiveness validation
• Accessibility testing with actual users
• Performance testing on iPad hardware

Quality Assurance:

• Automated testing for interaction behaviors
• Manual testing of learning flows
• Regression testing across iOS versions
• Device compatibility verification

Results

The iPad learning apps exceeded expectations:

• 40+ courses converted in first year
• 95% visual fidelity to original Flash content
• 4.5+ star ratings from students
• Improved engagement metrics vs. Flash versions
• Full accessibility compliance achieved

The success led to Kaplan expanding the iPad initiative and eventually transitioning their entire courseware development strategy away from Flash.

Historical Context

This project occurred at a pivotal moment in technology history:

• April 2010: Steve Jobs publishes "Thoughts on Flash"
• 2010-2011: This conversion project
• November 2011: Adobe announces end of mobile Flash development
• December 2020: Flash reaches end-of-life

What seemed like a forced migration in 2010 turned out to be ahead of an industry-wide transition. The native iOS skills and patterns developed during this project became the foundation for years of mobile development work.