Glossary

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

A

Accessibility
A characteristic of technology that enables people with disabilities to use it. For example, accessible Websites can be navigated by people with visual, hearing, motor, or cognitive impairments. Accessible design also benefits people with older or slower software and hardware.

Accreditation
The granting of approval to an institution of learning by an official review board after the school has met specific requirements.

Asynchronous learning
An online learning event in which people are not online at the same time and can't communicate without delay. For example, an instructor might publish a lecture on a Website and learners are able to read it when they log on. Compare with synchronous learning.

Attachment
A file or web page that is included with an email message.

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B

Blended learning
Blended learning (also sometimes referred to as hybrid learning) is the combination of different online learning technologies, activities and types of events with traditional face-to-face learning.  Blended learning programs use many different forms of e-learning combined with instructor-led training and other live formats resulting in reduced costs, elimination of distance barriers and greater time flexibility for participants.

Bookmarks
In online learning, bookmarks indicate the place a learner interrupted a course.  This allows the learner to resume studies at that point upon return to the program. 

Browser
A graphical user interface program that allows you to navigate and locate information on the Internet.

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C

Caveat Emptor
From Latin and liberally translated: let the buyer beware.  The rule of law warning potential purchasers of goods or services that they are not protected during a transaction against failure of the seller(s) to live up to the bargain except to the extent that the sales contract stipulates.  In online learning, this applies to a 'diploma mill.'

Chat
A service available on certain Websites that lets participants type messages to one another.  A form of synchronous online communication. See synchronous learning.

Clickable
A text link or image on which the user can "click" to go to something else.

Client computer
The computer in a learner's home or office that he or she typically uses for online learning.

Collaborative learning online
Collaboration technologies that enable learners from several locations to communicate and work with one another.

Computer-based training or Computer-based instruction
Courses presented via a computer over a network such as the Internet or a private network.

Configuration
The specific setup utilized by a computer including the hardware and software.

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D

Diploma mill
An unaccredited institution that grants degrees in exchange for money, and without ensuring that students are properly qualified.

Discussion board
Online communication in which one person sends a question or comment to others participants.  Readers can view the messages at their convenience and send replies to others on the discussion board. A form of asynchronous online communication. See also asynchronous learning.

Distance learning
Any type of educational situation in which the instructor and students are separated by time, location, or both.

Distributed learning
Another term used to describe distance learning.

Double-click
Refers to pushing and releasing the left mouse button on a PC twice in rapid succession.

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E

eLearning
See distance learning.

Extranet
A private computer network that is available to people chosen by the sponsoring organization including those outside of it.

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F

FAFSA
Free Application for Federal Student Aid from the U.S. Department of Education.

FAQ
Stands for "Frequently Asked Questions."  A list of questions and answers about a given topic of interest.

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G

Graphical user interface
A computer interface, usually consisting of text and graphics that allow the user to perform tasks without needing to know the underlying programming.  Microsoft Windows is an example of a graphical user interface or GUI.

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H

Hybrid learning
Hybrid learning (also sometimes referred to as blended learning) is learning in which a significant amount of the course learning activity have been moved online and traditional in person instruction is reduced but not eliminated.

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I

Icon
A small picture that visually represents an object - a file, program or command.  Icons make it easier to quickly understand the object's function.

Intranet
A network that, unlike the Internet, is only accessible by members of the sponsoring organization.

ISBN
ISBN stands for International Standard Book Number. It's a 10-digit number, a publishing standard used for identification. Every book has one. You can find ISBN number labeled on the back cover of a book, right near the bar code. It's also inside near the copyright information.

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K

Keyword
The word or term  you type into a search tool indicating what you're looking for on the Internet.

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L

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M

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N

Network
A connection of computers in multiple locations.  The connection can be hardwired with cables or telephone wire.  It can also be wireless.

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O

Online learning
Educational material that is delivered primarily via the Internet to students at remote locations, including their homes.

One- or two-way audio
Radio or other device that allows for audio communication.  Includes telephone, Web telephone, MP3, or radio-online or otherwise.  Includes interactive audio.

One- or two-way video
Television or other video device used to communicate.  Includes television, closed-circuit video, interactive TV, and video conferencing.

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P

PDF file
Stands for Portable Document File.  A popular file format created by Adobe Acrobat.  With PDF files, readers can view and print the document exactly as it was created whether or not the recipient has the original page creation software.

Plug-in
A small piece of software that increases the scope of a web browser / computer by extending its capabilities.  For example, you can use the Real Audio plug-in to listen to audio over the Internet.

Portal
A Website that collect, organizes and provides links and resources about a given topic.  For example, a online learning portal contains links and information about online learning resources.

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Q

R

Residency requirement
The amount of time required on a given campus for a specific distance education course or program.

S

Synchronous learning
A real-time, instructor-led online learning event in which the participants are online and communicating with one another at the same time. Compare with asynchronous learning.

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T

Technology-based instruction
A general term for training or instruction that occurs through media other than a traditional classroom.  It includes computers, television, audio tapes and various other forms of distance learning.

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U

URL
Stands of Uniform Resource Locator.  This refers to a string of characters that uniquely defines a Website address on the Internet such as http://www.coursepal.com.

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V

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W

Web-based training
Courses available on networks such as the Internet, an intranet, or extranet.

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X

Y

Z

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