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