Updated: 07/08/2008

Module Revisions;

Updated Interactive Tests

Revisions* have been completed on all of the modules.  These required some changes in the interactive tests -- changes that, in general, were long overdue. 

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 new tests are in the restricted instructor's section of the site in the .RTF format which can be used in Microsoft Word or any standard word processor and in the .html format that can be immediately viewed in a browser.

The new tests should all have a gray background, which replaces the beige background in the previous tests. (You may have to reload a page to flush out an old version from computer memory.)

The interactive tests are not "a piece of cake"; they require a comprehensive understanding of the modules.  Based on personal experience, they are an indicator of motivation and what we might call "professional perception."  Both are indicators of probable success in a competitive field such as broadcasting.

The content of the tests constitutes a bit of a learning experience in itself.

A number of associated readings have been added including Resources.

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 browsers or versions of Safari older than 3.0.

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.

As in most of the interactive features on this site, your browser must be able to "do" Javascript, which most browsers do unless you turn it off. (Go ahead, try it -- double-click on any word on this page.)

New Pop-Up Information

We are continuing with the process of adding pop-up information. Key terms are still in red, but if words or phrases are also underlined like this, they can be moused over for elaboration. (Give it a try!) You will note that in some cases photos are included. (These are not hyperlinks; clicking on them will only get you a blank page.)

In the process of adding these we are making revisions in the modules. Technical information is being simplified and sections are being updated and clarified.

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 JavaScript disabled. Note that the wavy underline above indicates a mouse over option that provides additional contextual information.

If you have JavaScript turned on in your browser you will notice arrows at the bottom-right of your screen. You can mouse over these to automatically scroll up or down the page.

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:

• http://www.CyberCollege.com/tvp_ind.htm
• http://www.InternetCampus.com/tvp_ind.htm
• http://www.InternetCampus.org/tvp_ind.htm

Extensive  support materials are available with evidence that you are an instructor.

NOTE: To get through spam filtering a "From CyberCollege" subject line is essential. Also note that our e-mail address has changed. It's now disguised by JavaScript, which we hope will not only put a dent in the many spam messages we've been getting each day, but make it much more difficult for your e-mail to go astray. 

For basic background information click on Frequently-Asked Questions.

A summary of the basic information on the course is available here.

Information on Mobile TVP Files for cell phone, Palm™, PDA, and BlackBerry™ and  iPhone devices.

One of the additions will be a personal blog springing from 50 years -- yes, 50 years -- of experience in broadcasting. The rationale for this is explained in the first blog, "Things You Won't Find in Textbooks." This a work in progress, but the index of completed 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.

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.

For those of you who asked about recommended video assignments, they are available here.

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 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:

= A basic understanding of TV production concepts.

= A more advanced understanding and background.

= Advanced students; professionals.

= Includes external resources for additional information.

And, finally, key terms underlined like this 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.

We wish to thank the many people who have written us offering suggestions. All of us who use these materials have a responsibility to catch errors, make suggestions and, in general, make sure that these materials become more and more useful to all of us. You can join this community by sending us an e-mail message.

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.

* With the revision, condensation, and reorganization of the modules the tests were not accurately reflecting the content of the modules.

The new tests should all have a gray background, which replaces the beige background in the previous tests. (You may have to reload a page to flush out an old version from computer memory.)

The interactive tests are not "a piece of cake"; they require a comprehensive understanding of the modules.  Based on personal experience, they are an indicator of motivation and what we might call "professional perception."  Both are indicators of probable success in a competitive field such as broadcasting.

The module revisions include updates and fixing writing issues that popped up. In some cases technical information was shifted to a linked file. In a few cases information was dropped when it was felt that it no longer was essential. A few illustrations were added, substituted, or modified.

Although well-meaning and proficient in her area, a recent editor who went through some of the modules had limited knowledge on the finer points of audio and video, and some things got a bit distorted. (This is a lesson I should have learned many years ago in working with magazine editors.)  It probably doesn't help that I'm not easy to get along with when it comes to changing the intent and flavor of my writing.

As always, readers are encouraged to bring any problems they find to our attention.  We generally fix them within a few days.

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