Thoughts on Things Web-Related
HTML5 and Web Standards:
There has been a discussion among various online technology magazines as to the likely impact of Apple’s iPad machine and whether not offering Flash on these machines mean that Flash is on its way out which could lead to greater acceptance of HTML5 and implementing video within browsers.
I have no strong preference to either other than the need to be able to implement video in a seamless manner without having to depend on codecs or third party applications.
[What is a Codec?: A device or software that converts analog signals to digital form for transmission and converts signals traveling in the opposite direction from digital to analog form].
My role as an instructional designer is the creation of content using various multimedia that will facilitate the strong transfer of learning that ensures the learner will be competent in their work. Developing content that seeks to ensure knowledge of compliance whether it is in research or projects can only be strengthened when we utilize all the available resources that can be utilized in an online community. If it is HTML5 or Flash, or web productivity applications, it should not matter. Use the tools available and build better learning for all.
As indicated there has been quite a lot of comments on the pros and cons of HTML5 versus Flash. Here are a few that have been rational and hopefully will add to your knowledge-base of what is coming for the future of web technology.
Resources:
The Future of Web Content, Techcrunch.com; 3/30/10
HTML5 video and H.264; , Blog, 3/30/10
Dive into HTML5; Video on the Web, 3/30/10
CBS.com testing HTML5; ReadWriteWeb.com, 3/30/10
Upcoming Launch of Adobe CS5:
I have just received word of the upcoming launch of Adobe CS5 on April 12. See Adobe CS5 Launch. I heavily use the product via its eLearning Suite which comprises Captivate, Flash, Photoshop, Dreamweaver and Acrobat and a SCORM Packager.
The Adobe product is a really useful product in the line of work I do, and is a great investment when one needs to produce elearning content in a short space of time. The challenge I have is the yearly production of new versions with enticing new features and updates. Being able to budget and or justify these updates becomes harder and in many case I have had to forgo and just use what I have to produce my elearning product. Is there no other way?
I asked that question to a fellow instructional designer who teaches an online class on one of the Adobe software and this is what they shared.
“I cry when Adobe upgrades CS products. No really, as an Instructor, it is quite a challenge when Adobe releases new upgrades. Our budget for software purchases requires finalization in February of each year, so if Adobe does not release before then, then we miss the boat for an additional year.”
So how do others in their organizations, departments, centers, etc., cope with these yearly releases and updates, what with increased costs and training, and potential lack of backward compatibility?
Adobe Acrobat and Video:
I recently finished a software simulation using Adobe Captivate 4, and in publishing the finished project, saw that one feature was to publish to a PDF document. Thinking that it was the same feature as Publish to Word, whereby I would receive screen print and Caption text on the simulation, I checked this feature. To my surprise, the PDF document produced had the actual swf file embedded. So once you open the PDF document, the swf file would play inside of it.
In a Scientific ListServ posted sometime ago, a research administrator asked, if one could embed a movie (video) inside of a RR424 form for a proposal submitted to Grants.gov, and would it be an issue when submitted to the grant agency. Unfortunately no answer was given, but my above experience means that it is possible, but I have no clue what effect it will have going through Grants.gov. I do know that the RR424 form requires that a certain Adobe Acrobat version be used, and may not be compatible with embedding video.
Definition:
The RR424 form: NIH requires all text attachments in an SF424 (R&R) application to be PDF. However, to avoid system errors, applicants should create text attachments using word processing software and then convert to PDF using PDF-generating software.
A feature of Adobe Acrobat version 9 Pro, I am investigating is the insertion of multiple PDF’s inside one PDF document. Called Adobe Portfolio, it allows for combining multiple PDF’s using various layouts. The published file displays as a sliding row that revolves in a manner those users can pick and choose the file of choice to open. The drawback is the size of the document that can make publishing for the web problematic. The key is to ensure your individual PDF files are compressed to a manageable size. If you have Adobe Acrobat 9 Pro, go to Combine > Assemble PDF Portfolio, and check it out.
Is there anyone that has done this, who is able and willing to share their experiences?
NSF TUES/CCLI Web Conference:
On April 22, 2010, GRC will host a web conference on the National Science Foundation’s new Transforming Undergraduate Education in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (TUES) [solicitation], which replaces the Course, Curriculum, and Laboratory Improvement (CCLI) program. Division of Undergraduate Education (DUE) program director Russell Pimmel will provide a detailed description of the TUES solicitation, including its increased emphasis on transformation, transferability, and dissemination.
Type I TUES proposals are due May 26-27, 2010 (depending on applicant’s state), so this conference will be best suited to FY 10 applicants seeking strategies to improve and finalize a proposal that is already under development, or institutions planning well in advance to participate in the FY 11 or FY 12 competitions.
Rural Workforce Development Opportunity Announced:
The Office of Rural Health Policy (ORHP) at the Health Resources and Services Administration has announced an April 30, 2010 deadline for a new funding opportunity focused on Rural Workforce Development. This one-time funding opportunity will support approximately 20 new awards for the development of rural health networks that focus on activities relating to the recruitment and retention of emerging health professionals, both students and residents.
The program seeks to support a range of approaches to community-based training in medicine, nursing, pharmacy, and other allied health professions.
ORHP will hold a technical assistance call on April 1, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. Eastern to assist applicants in preparing their applications. The call-in number is 800/369-1914 and the passcode is workforce.