Standards I

Informed Decision Making

Use technology-related terms, concepts, data input strategies, and ethical practices to make informed decisions about current technologies and their applications.

I have become aware of file formats through years of trial and error, but I have never stopped to analyze fully the aspects that made each different. In this investigation, I also discovered many formats of which I was not previously aware. Categorizing these has helped me compare them in ways that will advance my ability to make informed decisions in the future.

Caption 4

Indicators: 7.6s, 7.8s, 7.9s, 7.11s,8.2s,8.14s, 9.4s, 9.8s, 9.9s, 9.11s, 11.11s, 11.12s, 11.21s, 11.25s,  11.26s, 11.29s, 11.35s

Artifact #4

Descriptors: Analysis and comparison; File formats and compressions; Web page; Research using electronic sources; Download; Editing graphics

Title: Digital File Formats

Course: Digital Graphics and Animation 101

Date Created: October 2002

Source: Internet readings and downloads of examples of graphic file types

Media: Web Page, PhotoDraw for editing  and compressing images

Description: A variety of common file formats used for graphic display and storage were catalogued and compared. The comparisons centered on the concepts of image quality and compression. Examples of most of the formats were gathered and displayed on a second page. Links to informative site and resources were included. 

Rationale: It is important for a student of digital media to understand the differences in file formats. These differences affect the amount of space a file demands in storage, the quality of the image, the availability of the image to different programs, and how the image is displayed and accessed on the Internet. A comparison chart, like the one presented here, is one of the most desirable ways of instructing us about these differences. Likewise, since the topic is graphics, a visual presentation of the differences is also necessary.

Implications for future: This information supplied by charts and samples will be a good reference for instructors and students alike. Each should be aware of these differences when selecting images for use in multimedia projects, digital graphics displays, and communication over the Internet.

Reviewers Comments: "Wow, Beverly! What comprehensive collection of terms and file format information and on such a pretty page, too. Very nice job. I book marked your address for future reference. Thanks, buddy!"
Reviewer Name: Kim Dean
Title: Channel One Learner
Date Reviewed: October 14, 2002