Complete courses, degree programs, course supplements, and/or continuing education offerings can be effectively delivered using CD-ROM or DVD technologies. The primary advantage to CD-ROM or DVD is that connection speed is not a factor in viewing the materials, as it is with Web delivery. Another advantage is that students can use CD-ROMs or DVDs to access the course content without an Internet connection. It's much easier to take a CD-ROM or DVD "on the road"; all learners need is a laptop computer with a CD-ROM/DVD drive.

Access to supporting browser plug-ins and other key software may need to be provided on the CD-ROM or DVD. Video clips, textual materials, graphics and images, animations, music, and documents with various formats can be placed on a CD-ROM or DVD using various techniques, including but not limited to:

• Browser-based format
• Flash
• Open source software
• Commercial packages, e.g. Authorware

You may not be familiar with what CD-ROM or DVD stands for or how much each medium can hold. Here's a breakdown:

• CD-ROM -- Compact Disc Read Only Memory; capacity 650MB
• DVD--Digital Versatile Disc; digital storage of 25X CD-ROM (upwards of 5-7 gigabytes)

Unclear on technology terminology? Check out the TechEncyclopedia site for definitions and information on a wide variety of technology terminology. (http://www.techweb.com/encyclopedia/)

Considerations in designing courses for CD-ROM or DVD delivery:

• Compatibility across platforms. Do you want the CD-ROM to be used on PCs or Macintoshes or both? If the content is Web-browser based, which browser is supported, and are the necessary plug-in applications available for both platforms(PC/Macintosh)? Do you desire the DVD to be useable on a computer, a regular DVD player, or both?
• Expertise of developers. Developing the content in the software program Authorware takes more expertise than using a Web-browser-based format.
• Protection of intellectual property. Do you want the CD-ROM or DVD to be protected from copying or the materials being imported into other applications?

Back to Other Technologies Used in Distance Education.

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