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Disadvantages
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a GIF file?
A GIF (Graphics Interchange Format) file is a compression format used for images on the web. It is useful for images with a limited number of colours such as in a cartoon graphic.
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a JPEG file?
A JPEG (Joint Photographics Experts Group) file is a compression file format used for photographic images on the web.
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- file sizes are small thus suitable for web delivery
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- not suitable for material which needs to be printed as quality is screen resolution
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a TIFF file?
A TIFF (Tag Image File Format) is a common format for transferring images between applications or from scanning devices. It is commonly used for desktop publishing, 3-D applications, computer based programs and imaging applications.
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- minimal compression format thus information is not lost from the image
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- images are usually larger in file size than GIF or JPEG
- not suitable for web delivery
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a Powerpoint file?
Microsoft Powerpoint is a presentational software package, often used for the delivery of lecture material. These files can be placed on the web as powerpoint or converted to html files.
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- provides a summary of the lecture
- can be placed online
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- can not replace attending the lecture as they only provide a summary
- file size can be large if high resolution graphic are used
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a PDF file?
PDF (Portable Document Format) files are a format which has captured all the elements of a printed document as an electronic image that can be viewed, or printed by anyone else. They are created using Adobe Acrobat or similar programs. Any file which can be printed can be converted into PDF format.
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- makes documents accessible, independant of platform
- fonts can be embedded
- can contain interactive elements
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- to view files Acrobat Reader is required but this is available to download.
- difficult to read on screen
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HTML?
This is a programming language (HyperText Markup Language) which is used for the creation of web pages. This is the formal recommendation of the World Wide Web Consortium and can be read by almost all browsers.
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- if constructed effectively are accessible to all students
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- need to know HTML or a web page creation software such as Dreamweaver to create
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an animated GIF?
Animated GIF file is a graphic on the web that moves. It consists of a series of still images which are shown in a specific order, in quick succession to form an animation.
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- good for visualisation of material which is not easily seen or understood.
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Flash?
Macromedia Flash is a program used for creating vector based animation files. Some interactivity can be included.
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- good for visualisation of material which is not easily seen or understood
- file sizes are small thus suitable for the web delivery
- files are resizeable
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Director?
Macromedia Director was originally developed as an animation tool, it now has the capability of incorporating interactivity. It can be delivered cross platform.
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- good for visualisation of material which is not easily understood
- powerful interactions
- it maybe delivered online or locally
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- plug-in required
- files can be too large to run efficiently on the web
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Authorware?
Macromedia Authorware Professional is a useful tool for developing interactive multimedia for education, which is to be delivered in teaching laboratories or CD-ROMs. It enables incorporation of such things as student tracking and interactivity.
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- powerful tool for developing interactive computer based programs
- best run locally or on CDROM
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- too slow on low bandwidth modems
- a plug-in is required
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WebCT?
WebCT (Web Course Tools) is a web based tool used for the creation of interactive learning and teaching environments. An integrated set of tools enables rapid development and delivery of whole courses or course components over the web.
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- provides easy method for delivering material online
- development can be done online
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- material can be dumped online without considering educational implications
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QuestionMark?
Question Mark is a software programused to create and deliver tests, quizzes, and surveys on Intranets or the Internet, without having to be a programmer. You can create question banks, tests or surveys, randomize and shuffle questions to individualize tests, and quickly modify the HTML to create better-looking questions.
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streaming media?
Streaming media is sound or video that are transmitted on the internet in a continuous fashion, using data packets.
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- enhances the learning experience
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- most effective when used on broadband connections such as cable modem
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streaming audio files?
Streaming sound is sound that is played as it arrives on the web. The alternative to a sound recording which doesn't start playing until the whole file has arrived.
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- enables delivery of sound much faster
- the addition of sound adds interest to material
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- student needs high end machine
- may require plug in
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streaming Video files?
Streaming video is a sequence of moving images that are sent in compressed form over the internet and are display as they arrive.
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- adds interest
- enables visualisation of dangerous, hazardous, costly experiments
- do not have to wait until whole media is downloaded
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- visual quality can be poor
- student needs high end machine
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Quicktime?
Quicktime is a multimedia development, storage and playback technology. It combines sound, text, animation and video into a single file.
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- single file containing all multimedia elements
- enables visualisation
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- student needs reasonable machine and modem speeds
- Quicktime player is required
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CPR?
Calibrated Peer Review (CPR) is a web-based program that enables students to assess and be assessed by theirs peers.
For further infomation:
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- allows for annonymous peer marking
- markers are calibrated against criteria
- reduces the marking load on teaching staff
- can be done online, in or out of class times.
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- requires some initial work in setting up.
- need student acceptance peer marking.
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