 We
have done a complete update on all the
modules.* Passages have been clarified, some illustrations updated, and writing problems
fixed. If a
module does not show a March 2010 or later revision date in the upper right-hand
corner, the page should be reloaded. This generally brings up the latest version. |
The
U.S. conversion to ATSC digital broadcast TV meant that a number of things
that applied only to NTSC analog broadcast television had to be
updated. Modules 9 and 9-2 in particular were reorganized and revised
-- dropping some information and adding DTV information.
Now with the virtual demise of videotape, the modules on consumer and professional video recording also went through major updates.
New Resources
Latest
on PCs, Macs, Digital Cameras, Plus, Up-to-the-Minute News and Information
(These are external links)
New Menu System
We have changed the main menu system to make it compatible with the latest browser updates. You will note that we replaced the rippling effect (which was getting a bit old!) with solid backgrounds.
Updated Interactive Tests
Earlier
revisions on the modules required some changes in the interactive tests.
Under a new scoring system right answers on the interactive tests are now worth two points, but wrong answers or skipped questions each subtract a point form final test scores.
In addition to being at the end of the modules, the revised tests along with correct answers are in the .RTF and .HTM formats in the restricted instructor's section of the site.
AnswerTips™ has proven helpful, especially for foreign students. By double-clicking on any word on a page where this logo appears a definition will pop up. This feature requires a live Internet connection and won't appear in Opera or Chrome browsers.
AnswerTips™ can be further refined and expanded in a number of ways, including definitions in 16 other languages. The options include default, dictionaries, encyclopedias, synonyms and antonyms, and translations. Audio provides the English pronunciation. (Most people select "dictionary" as a default setting.)
As in most of the interactive features on this site, your browser must be able to "do" Java, which most browsers do unless you turn it off. (Go ahead, try it -- double-click on any word on this page.)
Note: if you lose your Internet connection, pages will take added time to load while the browser attempts (and finally fails) to contact the AnswerTips site. The Safari browser seems to be especially affected.
New Pop-Up Information (▲ )
Because of rendering
inconsistencies in the new Internet Explorer 8 browser we have had to change the
way of indicating ▲
pop-up information. Phrases in blue or red proceeded by the black triangle
seen above can be moused over for elaboration.
Key terms are still in red. (You should get a pop-up by mousing over the phrase
in blue above.) Some pop-ups will also have an image, such as ▲
this one.
If you find that some of the interactive features on this site don't work, you are probably using an old browser or you have Java disabled.
The Word Squares have been reformatted to make them compatible with changes in Microsoft's Internet Explorer 7.0 browser.
Just a reminder, if an access problem is encountered
on one site, there are two other independent sites that have the same files.
Although one
site
may occasionally have a problem, two sites have never been down
at the same time.
These materials are available at the following independent locations:
For basic background information
click on Frequently-Asked Questions.
A summary of the basic information on the course is available
here.
One
of the additions will be a personal blog. The rationale for
this
is explained in the first blog, "Things
You Won't Find in Textbooks." Thhe
index of articles can be found
here.
In late March a new page
format was introduced. If you have a relatively recent browser,
you will see a number of changes. Very old browsers without style sheet
support will render headings extremely large.
If you see a background graphic -
and maroon type on this line
things should be fine.
If you see huge type above and no background graphic, you should upgrade your browser.
Excellent browsers are free
for the downloading from Netscape, Microsoft, Mozilla Firefox, Opera, and Safari.
|
The instructor
information has been greatly expanded. Included is something new,
"Teaching Tips and Talking Points," covering each of the modules. The
URL for these and the supplementary tests is available to qualified
instructors by writing the
author.
|
Animation Issue
Some 
firewalls,
such as ZoneAlarm, shut off animated images. This will affect some
illustrations on this site. (The dove on the left should be
flying—although not necessarily getting anywhere.) In ZoneAlarm animation can be restored by going
to Privacy, Ad blocking, Custom, and uncheck the box animation. Other
firewalls and browsers have similar options.
The Quick Quizzes With the help of the left key of a mouse you can drag the blocks on the right to the matching phrases on the left. |
Word Squares Return
Many
instructors and students liked the word square key term puzzles that we
used to have. They could be printed out and handed to students to
complete. They were dropped when they became out of date. The word
squares are available again and basic information is available here.
Additional Supplementary Readings
There
are links within the modules to additional reading. Among the
specialized sections that have recently been added. Links to these articles can be found in the General Readings and and Materials and Associated Readings sub-indexes. Some recently added files are noted below.
For those of you who asked about recommended video
assignments, they are available here.
Old versions of pages
are often retained in a browser's cache and what appears in your
browser won't be the latest version of the page. If you suspect this,
try reloading a page. |
Color-Coding Scheme
Although
a great many people go through these modules on an individual
basis—government employees, TV crew members, military personnel, etc.—a
great many users are in classrooms. To try to accommodate a greater
range of needs, we've devised a color code for links.
A little yellow square (
) in front of link above indicates background reading. This material is not included on the interactive tests, although it may help in understanding the concepts covered.
A blue square in front of a link (
) indicates technical information. This type of information is designed for advanced classes and professionals; and, again, this may or may not be required by an instructor. These areas will also be expanded in the future to meet the needs of advanced students.
A red square is reserved for (
) external links that have related information. This information is not included on the interactive tests. CyberCollege and the InternetCampus have no control over the content or availability of these external links.
The required reading links are marked with a green square
() These are covered in the interactive tests and puzzles.
Links that are not marked with a colored square should be self-explanatory.
In summary:
And, finally, phrases marked with this symbol ( ▲ ) can be moused over for more information.
Basic information on the use of these
cybercourses can be found
here and here.
This
whole project is considered a collaborative effort, and it has come a
long way since the first rough draft was posted almost ten years ago.
The text materials and illustrations continue to be updated on a regular basis as new information is published in trades, newspapers, and on the Internet. The date at the top-right of each module indicates when the material was last updated.
In order to continue to provide these materials we have agreed to certain legal restrictions. Please see this copyright notice.
Along with many websites, we've had problems with hackers spoofing our e-mail addresses so that people will open e-mail thinking it's from us. This is discussed here.
Just so you know, these materials are free and we aren't in the business of selling anything.
* The latest round of revisions applies to the modules and not (as yet) to all of the associated readings.
As always, regular updates will continue as new equipment and procedures are introduced.
Readers are encouraged to bring any problems they find to our attention. We generally fix them within a few days. To get through spam filtering don't forget to use a FROM CYBERCOLLEGE subject line.
