Note: Click here for a comprehensive list of Acronyms with definitions.

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M
N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

The definitions below represent common uses of the terms given. It's important to note that term usages can vary widely and change frequently. These definitions are provided for reference only.

A

Academic Advisor - Representative from a school who provides guidance to students in designing an academic program and selecting courses to meet degree requirements.

Accreditation - Granting of approval to an institution of learning by an official review board after the school has met specific requirements, ensuring that specific curricular standards are met.

Advanced Standing (Advanced Placement, Accelerated Study) - Direct entry into more advanced levels in an academic program based on performance on placement tests and/or academic credit previously earned.

Asynchronous Learning - Learning where instruction does not occur in real time. This allows learners to participate according to their schedule, and be geographically separate from the instructor. Examples are self-paced courses taken via the Internet or CD-ROM, Q&A mentoring, online discussion groups, threaded discussion and email.

Audioconferencing - Voice communications, either through telephone lines or Internet-based software.

B

Baud - Unit of digital data transmission used to describe the rate at which information flows between two electronic devices such as modems.

Broadband - High speed transmission of data. Broadband technology can transmit data, audio, and video all at once over long distances.

Browser - Software application that displays World Wide Web pages, originally written in a text-based language, in a user-friendly graphical format.

Bulletin Board System (BBS) - Online community run on a host computer. Users can post messages on public discussion boards, send and receive email, chat with other users, and upload and download files. BBSs are text-based and often related to the specific interests of their developers.

C

Certification - Awarding of a credential acknowledging that an individual has demonstrated proof of a minimum level of knowledge or competence, as defined by a professional standards organization.

Chat - Real-time text-based communication in a virtual environment. Chat can be used in distance education for student questions, instructor feedback, or even group discussion.

Collaboration Technology - Software, platforms or services which allow people in different locations to communicate and work with each other in a secure, self-contained environment. May include capabilities for document management, application sharing, presentation development and delivery, whiteboarding, chat, etc.

Computer-Assisted Instruction (CAI) - Use of a computer as a medium of instruction for tutorial, drill and practice, simulation, or games. CAI is used for both initial and remedial training, and typically does not require that a computer be connected to a network or provide links to learning resources outside of the course.

Computer-Based Training (CBT) - Training or instruction in which a computer program provides both instruction and management of the teaching and learning process in place of a live instructor. CBT can be delivered via CD-ROM, LAN or Internet.

Continuing Education - Formal course of study designed specifically for adult students. Distance education is a popular subset of continuing education due to the flexibility and convenience it provides.

Convergence - Result of the digital era in which various types of digital information, such as text, voice and video, and their delivery mechanisms - television, telecommunications and consumer electronics - are combined together in a new, more integrated form.

Cookie - Information stored on a user's computer after visiting a website. A cookie tracks data about that user but can be disabled in the browser.

Cooperative or Co-op Program - Education program that combines theoretical learning with practical work experience.

Courseware - Instructional or educational courses delivered via a software program or over the Internet.

D

Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) - Broadband Internet access method that sends data over standard telephone lines at speeds up to 7 Mbps. DSL subscribers must live within a certain distance of the necessary router.

Discussion Boards - Internet forums where users can post messages for other users to read.

Distance Education - Degree and/or credit granting education delivered to remote (non-campus) locations via synchronous, asynchronous, instructor-led or computer-based means of instruction. Distance education most often utilizes the Internet and intranet/extranet, but can also include audio- and videotape, satellite broadcast, interactive TV and CD-ROM, for delivery, interaction or facilitation.

Distance Learning - See Distance Education.

Download - Transfer or copy of a file to a user's computer from another computer, network, commercial online service or Internet.

E

E-Learning (Electronic Learning) - See Distance Education.

Ethernet - Type of local area network (LAN) in which computers communicate through radio frequency signals sent over co-axial cables.

Extranet - Local area network or wide area network using open Internet-based standards to transport information. An extranet is only available to people inside and certain people outside an organization, as determined by the organization.

F

Facilitative Tools - Electronic features used to deliver online courses. May include mailing lists, chat programs, streaming audio, streaming video and webpages.

Facilitator - Distance education course instructor who supports learning in an online, student-centered environment.

File Server - Network computer which has the primary task of storing files that can be shared by network users.

Firewall - Technology that allows users access to the Internet while providing internal network security.

G

Graphics Interchange Format (GIF) - File format developed to store images. GIFs support 256 colors and are often used for web images because they compress well.

I

Instructor-Led Training (ILT) - Learning event which is led by an instructor, and can be held in a physical location or delivered via a network. Usually implies training at the professional or corporate level, and synchronous learning.

Instant Messenger (IM) - Software that enables users to send short text messages back and forth to selected "buddies" (friends, family, co-workers, etc.) who are online. Some IM programs allow voice chat, file transfer and other applications.

Integrated Learning System (ILS) - Complete software, hardware and network system used for instruction. In addition to providing curriculum and lessons organized by level, an ILS usually includes a number of tools such as assessments, record keeping, report writing and user information files that help to identify learning needs, monitor progress and maintain student records.

Internet-Based Training (IBT) - Training delivered primarily by Internet network technologies such as email, newsgroups, proprietary applications, etc. Although the term is often used synonymously with Web-based training, IBT is not necessarily delivered over the World Wide Web.

Internet Service Provider (ISP) - Hosting company that provides user access to such Internet services as email, the World Wide Web, newsgroups, etc.

Intranet - LAN or WAN that is owned by a company or organization, and is only accessible to people working internally. It is protected from outside intrusion by a combination of firewalls and other security measures.

L

Learning Platforms - Internal or external sites, usually organized around focused topics, which contain technologies (such as chat rooms) that enable users to submit and retrieve information.

Learning Portal - Website that provides consolidated access to learning and training resources from multiple sources. Operators of learning portals are also called content aggregators, distributors or hosts.

Listserv - Form of one-to-many communication using email. A software program for automating mailing lists and discussion groups on a computer network.

Local Area Network (LAN) - Group of personal computers and/or other devices (such as servers) that are located in a relatively limited area, and can communicate and share information with each other.

M

Modular - Distance education made up of standardized units that can be separated from each other and rearranged or reused.

Multicasting - Transmitting information to more than one recipient using technologies such as teleconferencing and videoconferencing.

Multimedia - Application which supports interactive text, images, sound and color.

O

One- or Two-Way Audio - Radio or other device that allows for audio communication. Includes telephone, web-telephone, MP3 and radio (online or offline). Also includes interactive audio.

One- or Two-Way Video - Television or other video device used for communicating. Includes television, closed-circuit video, interactive TV and video conferencing.

Online Education - Distance education over the Internet (as opposed to a local or wide area network).

Open Admissions - Admissions policy under which there are no academic prerequisites other than completion of secondary school education.

P

Peer-To-Peer Network (P2P) - Communications network that allows users to connect their computers and share files directly with other users, without having to go through a centralized server.

Plug-In - Accessory program that enhances capabilities to the main program. Can be used on webpages to display multimedia content.

Portable Document Format (PDF) - File format which enables users of any hardware or software platform to view documents exactly as they were created - with fonts, images, links and layouts as they were originally designed.

Prescriptive Learning - Process in which only that coursework which matches a learner's identified skills and knowledge gaps is offered; the goal being to make the learning experience more meaningful, efficient and cost-effective.

Protocol - Formal set of standards, rules or formats for exchanging data that assures uniformity between applications.

Pull Technology - In reference to the Internet or other online services, technology and tools people use (such as a web browser) to locate and "pull down" information for themselves.

Push Technology - In reference to the Internet or other online services, technology that sends information directly to a user's computer.

R

Random-Access Memory (RAM) - Temporary storage built into a computer system which functions as a "workspace" for data and program instructions.

Real Time Communication - Communication in which information is received at nearly the instant it is sent. Real time communication is a characteristic of synchronous learning.

Rolling Admissions - Policy of no set deadlines for application submissions.

S

Satellite TV - Video and audio signals relayed from a communication device orbiting around the earth. Frequently used in distance education for stationed military personnel.

Section 508 - Section of the 1998 Rehabilitation Act that states that all electronic and information technology procured, used or developed by the federal government after June 25, 2001, must be accessible to people with disabilities.

Serial Port - Connection point for peripheral devices (such as a printer) to be attached to a computer, through which data transmission occurs one bit at a time.

Simulations - Highly interactive applications that allow the learner to model or role-play in a scenario. Simulations enable the learner to practice skills or behaviors in a risk-free environment.

Standardized Test - Test administered by an outside body which is then used in the admissions process, often in conjunction with academic transcripts. Examples include GRE and GMAT.

Streaming Media - Audio or video files played as they are being downloaded over the Internet instead of waiting for the entire file to download first.

Synchronous Learning - Real-time, instructor-led online learning in which all participants are logged on at the same time and can communicate directly with one another. In this virtual classroom setting, the instructor leads classroom discussion and can "call on" students. On most platforms, students and instructors can use an electronic whiteboard to see work in progress and share knowledge. Interaction may also occur via audio- or videoconferencing, Internet telephony, or two-way live broadcasts.

System Requirements - Technological conditions necessary to run a software application. Includes the operating system, programming language, database, hardware configuration, bandwidth, processing power, etc.

T

Teleconference - Two-way electronic communication between two or more groups in separate locations utilizing audio, video and/or computer systems.

Telnet - Utility that enables a user to log onto a computer or server, and access information remotely.

Thread - Series of messages on a particular topic posted in a discussion forum.

Tutorial - Step-by-step instructions presented through computer or web-based technology, designed to teach a user how to complete a particular task.

U

Uniform Resource Locator (URL) - Address of a page on the World Wide Web.

Upload - To transfer a file from one computer or server to another.

V

Videoconference - Conference conducted in real-time through the use of video technology, allowing individuals to participate from separate locations; frequently used by distance education programs.

Virtual Classroom - Online space where students and instructors interact.

Virtual Private Network (VPN) - Private network configured inside a public network. A VPN combines the security of a private network with the economies of scale and built-in management capabilities of a public network.

W

Web-Based Training (WBT) - Delivery of educational content via a web browser over the Internet, intranet or extranet. WBT often provides links to other learning resources such as references, email, bulletin boards and discussion groups.

Webcast (Web + broadcast) - Broadcast of video signals that is digitized and streamed on the World Wide Web, and which can also be made available for downloading.

Web Conference - Meeting of participants from disparate geographic locations that is held in a virtual environment on the World Wide Web, with communication taking place via text, audio, video or a combination of those methods.

Webinar (Web + seminar) - Small synchronous distance education event in which a presenter and audience communicate via text chat or audio about concepts often illustrated via online slides and/or an electronic whiteboard. Webinars are often archived for asynchronous and on-demand access.

Whiteboard - Electronic version of a chalkboard, which allows learners in a virtual classroom to view what an instructor, presenter or fellow learner writes or draws. Also known as a smartboard or electronic whiteboard.

Wide Area Network (WAN) - Computer network that spans a large area, usually made up of two or more local area networks. The Internet is a WAN.

World Wide Web (WWW) - System of hypertext links used to facilitate navigation of the Internet, accessible to users via a simple point-and-click system.