Document Formats for the Web

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Document Formats for the Web

• Lunch and Learn Session
• February 9, 2001
• Bill VilbergInstructional Advancement Center

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Background Philosophy

• Why is there no correct way?

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Course of study obstacle course

• 5 courses / semester
• Different instructors
• Different requirements
• Different procedures
• Technical material (at least in major)

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Outcome self-confidence

• Student can meet external goals
• Student can learn new material
• Student can communicate in different ways
• (Not Student knows the subject or has the
  skills)

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However you do it is OK!

• Be helpful or demanding
• Provide explicit guidance or open ended tasks
• Grade on a curve or a percentage
• Use rubrics or subjective guidelines
• Give lectures or hold discussions

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As long as

• You respect and value your students
• You show your passion for your subject
• Students experience a variety of faculty members
  (obstacles)

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Word Documents

• Formats for the Web

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Example 1

• Put a handout on-line
• Created in Microsoft Word
• Saved as .doc file

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Alternatives

• 1. Upload .doc file
• 2. Save .doc as .html and upload it
• 3. Save .doc as .rtf and upload it
• 4. Copy and paste text into document
• 5. Create .pdf file from .doc and upload it
• 6. Print it and make copies for the class

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1. Upload .doc file

• () Easiest for you no conversion needed
• () Gives students actual document, just as you
  made it
• () Lets you use full power of Word
• (-) must have Word or (free) Word Viewer to view
  the document
• (-) Word documents are not as small as they could
  be

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Demonstration 1

• 1. Upload .doc file

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2. Save .doc as .html and upload it

• () Easiest for students HTML is most compatible
  format with the Web
• () Allows use of formatting, tables, and
  graphics
• (/-) Small documents as native HTML Microsoft
  HTML is larger than usual
• (-) Loses some formatting

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Demonstration 2

• 2. Save .doc as .html and upload it

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3. Save .doc as .rtf and upload it

• () Opens with any word processor
• () Available from any word processor
• () Keeps most formatting
• (-) Loses some specialized formatting

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Demonstration 3

• 3. Save .doc as .rtf and upload it

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4. Copy and paste text into document

• () Brings in text from anywhere
• (/-) No attachment/link easy to access by
  students takes up a lot of space
• (-) Loses ALL formatting except paragraph breaks

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Demonstration 4

• 4. Copy and paste text into document

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5. Create .pdf file from .doc and upload it

• .pdf Adobe Acrobat portable document format
• () Preserves formatting perfectly
• () Protects document from alteration
• (/-) Acrobat Reader is free and widely
  available, but a plugin
• () Allows easy saving and printing of file
• (-) Program to create .pdf files costs 80
• () Send files to iac.help_at_miami.edu for
  conversion

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Demonstration 5

• 5. Create .pdf file from .doc and upload it

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6. Print it and make copies for the class

• () You know the process
• () You can delegate the process
• () Students cant make excuses about lack of
  access or problems getting to the file
• Good if everyone HAS to have it in class
• (-) Costs department for duplication
• (-) Need process for students who miss class

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No Demonstration 6

• 6. Print it and make copies for the class

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Final Points
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PowerPoint format options

• 1. Upload .ppt file
• 2. Save .ppt as .pps and upload it
• 3. Save .ppt as .html, save html as .zip
  and upload it
• 4. Save .ppt as .rtf and upload it
• 5. Create .pdf file from .ppt and upload it
• 6. Print it and make copies for the class

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Graphic Formats

• .jpg for photographs
• .gif for graphics with solid blocks
• Check embeded pictures in Word

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File names

• Use 8.3 naming
• No spaces, short names, extensions

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Verify

• Expect problems
• Verify it from a student account
• Be ready for the students
• Call if you have questions
• Microgroup 305-284-2944
• IAC help desk 305-284-3949

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Document Formats for the Web

• Thank you!