| All about Rich Media | | | | grabs, clipart, drawings and illustrations. |
| | | | |
| The term Rich Media refers to a broad range | | | | JPGs are better for photographs and |
| of digital interactive media that can either | | | | illustrations with over 256 colors. If you |
| be downloadable or embedded in a webpage. | | | | use JPGs for screen captures, it will cause |
| When downloaded, it can be used or viewed | | | | blurring of colors and the file size will be |
| offline using media players such as Microsoft | | | | larger because the colors are averaged. |
| Media Player, Real Networks' RealPlayer, or | | | | |
| Apple's QuickTime. | | | | - Animation: Macromedia Flash is best for |
| | | | animation on the Web. Not only can you |
| For distance learning through the Web as in | | | | increase the Flash movie to 1024 x 768 from |
| e-learning, rich media must be an integral | | | | 640 x 480, but you don't lose any picture |
| part of the courseware. It should comprise | | | | quality nor do you increase the file size. |
| animation, interactivities to various levels | | | | Alternatively, you can use animated GIF |
| of sophistication, visuals and narration. | | | | format. |
| These components make your training programs | | | | |
| more effective and your company sees a | | | | - Movies and digital video: The most popular |
| significant Return on Investment (ROI). | | | | streamable formats for digital video are |
| | | | Windows Media Player, Apple QuickTime and |
| Other components of Rich Media: | | | | RealVideo. |
| | | | |
| - File sizes: File sizes must always be | | | | - Sound files: Of the many formats for sound |
| small. To minimize delays in file transfer, | | | | compression available, MP3 is the most |
| use file formats that make the best use of | | | | popular and has excellent quality. If you use |
| Rich Media and are of good quality. These | | | | Real Audio and Windows Media Player 5.0, you |
| include Microsoft Media Player, GIF, JPG, | | | | can safely use MP3. |
| Real Networks' RealPlayer, or Apple's | | | | |
| QuickTime, Macromedia Flash (SWF), MP3, | | | | One of the best ways of using sound on the |
| Shockwave Audio (SWA), Animated GIF, | | | | Web is to use Macromedia Flash 4.0 and higher |
| Macromedia Authorware (AAM) and VOX. | | | | which convert WAV files to the Shockwave |
| | | | format it has internally. If you use |
| If there are delays in self-paced interactive | | | | Macromedia Authorware with its 800kbps |
| course programs, students can be very | | | | plug-in, you can either use SWA (Shockwave |
| frustrated as it interferes with | | | | Audio) or VOX (Voxware). |
| understanding and retention. So, file sizes | | | | |
| must be small and very streamable to slow | | | | - Authoring software: You could give your |
| modems. By streamable is meant that as bits | | | | learners a "no plug-in" option by using |
| of the digital video are downloaded, the | | | | Macromedia Dreamweaver with Course Builder. |
| movie starts to play, until the entire | | | | It creates good interactive learning, is |
| download is complete. | | | | compliant with AICC norms and can import all |
| | | | kinds of media, among other benefits. |
| - Image formats: If you use lesser than 256 | | | | |
| colors, sharp colors and small file sizes, | | | | Pratibha R. S. |
| the GIF format is ideal. These include screen | | | | |