Keeping large files "friendly"
Powerpoint presentations, video, and audio files are often very large. They can be slow to load, which is a problem for students, and space-hogs on Highline's Blackboard server.
- An 11MB PowerPoint file takes 4 minutes to load over a cable or DSL connection.
- That same file converts to a 1.5MB PDF (Portable Document Format), which takes less than a minute to download
- A 6MB PowerPoint file takes 2.5 minutes to load over a cable or DSL connection.
- That 6mb file converts to a 0.3MB PDF, which takes around 15 seconds to load.
Best Practices for Large Files
Put the files on Flightline, link from BlackBoard
Use your faculty web site on Flightline as storage for your course content. (See the demonstration movie and step-by-step instructions).
- Flightline transfers files faster than Blackboard, so students get materials faster
- It keeps these large files off the Blackboard server, which has less capacity than the Flightline server.
- Files can be used in multiple courses or from quarter to quarter. It is easier and faster to link to them versus importing them into Blackboard. If it is a file that needs to be updated quarterly, it's faster to update it on Flightline; the link in Blackboard will still work.
Convert files to PDF
Convert PowerPoint presentations and read-only documents to PDF. (See the step-by-step instructions).
- PDF files are smaller in size so much quicker to load.
- Most computers have PDF readers already installed. If not, the plug-in is free and quick to install.
- Unless the student has PowerPoint, presentations will be printed one slide per page. PDFed presentations can be set up 3 slides per page, with handy note-taking lines included.
Consider streaming video and audio
If you have a short video for students, consider having it streamed over the web instead of using a great big download. This delivers the video over the web as the student views it; less wait, more watch. Contact Media Services for details.
