aboutus faq modules resources training student-site tab
previous next-arrow-dim space-right
to-menu
resources-material

Glossary of Technology Terms

0-9 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

- 0-9 -

3-D Animation Software
Software that displays on a computer screen representations of three-dimensional objects in motion.
3-Dimensional Model (3-D Model)
A model that represents a three-dimensional object.

Top
- A -

Adaptive/Assistive Hardware
Hardware (external and internal devises) to adapt the computerís capability for input, processing, and output for students who have different needs (e.g., touch screen, voice-recognition devices).
Assessment Rubric
An established set of rules that define the quality of a performance or product.
Authentic Data
Data arising from real-world situations as opposed to contrived situations or simulations.
Authoring Tool
Software that allows an individual to develop or program an application to meet specific objectives (e.g., HyperCard, PILOT).

Top
- B -

Broadcast Resources
Electronic resources distributed from one origination point and received at more than one point distant from the origin (e.g., CNN Newsroom, Channel One, Discovery Channel).
Browser
Tool used to access and manipulate information on the Web (e.g., Netscape Navigator, Internet Explorer).

Top
- C -

Classroom Cluster
Small groups of workstations or learners in a classroom setting.
Clip Art
Graphics provided to be copied and integrated within larger works.
Collaborative Learning
Group learning strategies in which members of the group of learners are responsible for providing the content and learning experiencesómembers teach each other.
Computer-Assisted Drafting (CAD) Software
Software designed to facilitate computer-generated drawings or schematics.
Computing Environments
Particular combinations of hardware and software that determine how a user works with a computer system. Single-user and networked computers are examples of computing environments, as are Windows and Macintosh operating systems and the machines on which they run.
Concept-Mapping Software
Software that can graphically represent the relationships among ideas (e.g., Inspiration).
Constructivism
A theory and teaching strategy holding that learners actively acquire or "construct" new knowledge by relating new information to prior experience. It contrasts with strategies that rely primarily on passive reception of teacher-presented information.
Curriculum Area Standards
Guidelines specifying what should be learned, taught, or acquired in the study of a particular discipline (e.g., NCTM Standards for Mathematics Education).
Curriculum Integration
Use of technology to support and enhance learning and teaching in the daily course of studying academic content.

Top
- D -

Deep Web
Web-based but not publicly accessible materials that are collectively about 500 times as large as the public Web and which, in some ways, dwarf the public or "surface Web" in both scale and content quality. Many of these materials were constructed from full-text and bibliographic databases by the library profession and are fee-based.
Developmentally Appropriate
Materials, activities, or expectations that align with the social, intellectual, and physical maturity of the intended audience or treatment group.
Digital Archive
Information stored in digital format.
Digital Art
Artwork stored in digital format.
Digital Camera
A still or video camera that captures and stores images in digital format.
Digital Image
Visual image stored in digital format.
Digital Storage System
Information management system that holds information in digital format.
Distance Learning
An educational practice involving communication between two or more remote sites.
Distortion Filters
Add-ons to high-end graphic programs (e.g., Adobe Photoshop) that modify or distort images in a predictable or controllable way. A distortion filter might, for example, cause a picture to appear as if it had been drawn in charcoal.
Download
Receipt of a file stored away from the workstation involved in the retrieval.
Drawing Software
A computer program that allows the user to simulate drawing. Image elements created with a draw program are stored as mathematical formulas, and each element can be changed or moved independently (e.g., Adobe Illustrator, Macromedia, FreeHand).
Dynamic Geometric Software
Computer software that enables learners to manipulate geometric parameters and images to illustrate mathematical concepts (e.g., Geometric Supposer).
Dynamic Information Sharing
Technology- and telecommunications-enabled exchange or distribution of information among a dispersed group of learners (e.g., Kids Network, student-maintained electronic conferencing, electronic mail).

Top
- E -

E-Commerce (Electronic Commerce)
Commerce conducted through electronic transactions. May refer to online transactions between humans or accounting systems.
Educational Computing and Technology
Educational computing and technology encompasses knowledge about and use of computers and related technologies in
  1. delivery, development, prescription, and assessment of instruction;
  2. effective uses of computers as an aid to problem solving;
  3. school and classroom administration;
  4. educational research;
  5. electronic information access and exchange;
  6. personal and professional productivity; and
  7. computer science education.
Educational Computing and Technology Literacy
This area includes
  1. issues of technology use in society;
  2. fundamental vocabulary and operations of computer/technology-based systems;
  3. use of tool applications for personal, academic, and instructional productivity; and
  4. use of the computer as a tool for problem solving.
Electronic Journal
Journal created electronically, as with word-processing software, and stored in digital format.
Electronic Meeting
Meeting conducted across a network. May include voice, video, or online text and image exchange (e.g., NetMeeting session, two-way compressed videoconference).
Electronic Presentation
Presentation of material through or with substantial support of electronic media (e.g., PowerPoint slideshow).
Electronic-Publishing Software
Computer software that enables the user to publish in any one or more of many types of media (e.g., HyperStudio, Kid Pix, Home Page).
Electronic (Reference) Resources
Collections of reference materials in electronic format (e.g., Encarta, ERIC-Educational Resources Information Centers).
E-Mail (Electronic Mail)
Correspondence across a network by way of an online message-handling computer program.
Enrichment Activities
Learning activities designed to extend, enhance, and connect core learning activities (e.g., computing career guidance, preparation for college, motivational excursions, and extracurricular activities, such as computer clubs and organized competitions).
Environmental Probe
Computer peripheral that senses environmental data and communicates readings directly into the computer for recording and storage (e.g., pH sensor, humidity sensor).
Equity Issues
Issues of equal distribution and use of computers and related technologies and resources across subpopulations of students and educators.
Ethical Issues
Those issues that deal with the ethical use of software and computers and related technologies by students and educators (e.g., privacy, piracy, integrity of information, responsibility for content, and use of recreational applications).

Top
- F -

Fair Use
A legal principle that allows portions of a copyrighted work to be used for educational purposes without permission from the copyright holder (e.g., use of portions of a copyrighted work with students by educators to illustrate a concept).
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
A technique for disseminating information through publication of a group of commonly asked questions and answers about a particular subject.

Top
- G -

Graphing Calculators
A hand-held calculator that, in addition to performing calculations and functional operations, can graph functions and relations.
Graphics Program (Graphics Software, Graphics Utilities)
One of a number of types of computer software that enable the user to create or manipulate illustrations, graphs, drafting products, and a variety of other images.

Top
- H -

Human Issues
Those issues that deal with societal and humanistic impact of information, computers, and related technologies.
Hypermedia
Hypermedia refers to interactive, nonlinear presentation of information in which more than one medium may be used (e.g., print, video, and computer) and in which users select their own paths through the material.
Hypermedia Stack
A collection of linked hypermedia objects (pages) stored as a single file.
Hypermedia Tool
A computer-software program that supports development and modification of hypermedia stacks such as presentations, adaptive online exams, and websites (e.g., HyperStudio, FrontPage).

Top
- I -

Image-Manipulating Software
A graphics program that enables the user to make changes in orientation, shape, size, shading, or color of images (e.g., Photoshop).
Information Access and Delivery Tools
Hardware and software used to access electronically archived information and computer or satellite-based telecommunications networks (e.g., FTP, search engines, satellite downlink and receivers, web browsers).
Inquiry-Based Learning
Learning strategies in which learners discover concepts, skills, or knowledge through active investigation.
Integrated Software Package
A program that combines several software applications with a common interface and data sharing among the tools in the collection. Typically, packages include word processing, database management, telecommunications, spreadsheet, and business graphics (e.g., AppleWorks).
Internet
The Internet is the system of thousands of interconnected commercial (.com), academic (.edu), and government (.gov) networks around the world all using common protocols to share information.
ITV (Interactive TV) Programs
Broadcast programs that allow two-way communication between the television viewer and the service provider.

Top
- J -

Java
A Sun Microsystems programming language for intranet and Internet (World Wide Web) applications. Java is designed to occupy small amounts of memory to run, and it does its own memory management. Java may be run stand-alone or launched from within HTML pages. Modern web browsers support Java.
Java Applet
A small program in the Java language that is embedded in an HTML web page.

Top
- K -

Knowledge Navigator
An intelligent search agent that identifies and retrieves "best" information for the user based on parameters specified for each search.

Top
- L -

Legal Issues
Those issues that deal with the legal use of information, software, and technology by students and educators.
Lesson Sequence
A description of a learning activity that includes the content to be covered and the order in which the material will be presented or encountered by the student.
Logo
A programming language especially good for students because of its ease of use and graphics capability.

Top
- M -

Manipulative Materials
Materials that support tactile learning and reinforcement of concepts (e.g., blocks, rods).
Media Literacy
The ability to assess the purpose, legitimacy, and appropriateness of information received, particularly mass media messages.
Microworlds
Computing environments (see definition) that allow users to interact with or construct objects that respond according to set or user-defined rules. Microworlds can be created with tools such as virtual reality software, Logo and Stagecast Creator.
Mini-Lesson
A brief demonstration of a learning or teaching strategy, technique, or approach within an authentic learning environment for the purpose of staff development.
Multidisciplinary
Involving content typically associated with more than one academic discipline.
Multimedia
A combination of media used to disseminate information (e.g., audio, video, still image, and print) under computer control.
Multimedia-Authoring Software
Computer software used to prepare a multimedia presentation or interactive session or products (e.g., HyperStudio, Macromedia Director).
Multimedia Computer
A personal computer workstation capable of supporting multimedia, including high-quality audio, video, still images, and text. Usually indicates having a CD-ROM drive.
Multimedia-Presentation Software
Computer software designed to support presentations involving multimedia (e.g., PowerPoint).
Multimedia Program
Computer-software program that supports and makes use of multimedia in carrying out its function (e.g., Living Books, LightSpan).
Multipath Progression
Strategies that allow the navigator to exercise options of sequence in traversing a multistep process.
Multisensory Stimulation
Sensory input that involves more than one of the senses.

Top
- N -

Nontraditional Training Situations
Training arrangements in which the trainer and trainee are neither person-to-person, face-to-face, nor in a mentoring situation (e.g., multimedia applications used to train individuals, satellite-delivered staff development).

Top
- O -

Online Conference
Meeting conducted across a network.
Online Services
Computer-based telecommunications networks that allow users to access, retrieve, and communicate information; broadcast messages; send electronic mail; and participate in user forums (e.g., America Online).

Top
- P -

PDA
Personal Digital Assistant (e.g., Palm Pilot, Pocket PC). A hand-held device used to record and store information. It is anticipated that these will increasingly be found in classrooms with such stored information as parent contact information, e-books, games, reference works (atlas, dictionary), e-mail accounts, etc.
Painting Software
A graphics program that enables the user to simulate painting and to manipulate image colors. Paint images are stored as patterns of dots called bitmaps. Individual image elements cannot be moved independently (e.g., Photoshop, PhotoDeluxe). (See drawing software.)
Parallel Stories
Stories with the same plot, different characters, different setting, and so forth.
Performance Indicators
Descriptions of behaviors that demonstrate acquisition of desired knowledge, attitudes, or skills.
Photo-Retouching Software
Computer software used to import and modify digitized photographs (e.g., Photoshop).
Print/Graphic Utilities
Tools that can be used to make picture-related documents such as banners, signs, certificates, and cards (e.g., PrintShop, SuperPrint).
Productivity Tools
Productivity tools refer to any type of software associated with computers and related technologies that can be used as tools for personal, professional, or classroom productivity (e.g., Microsoft Office, AppleWorks).
Profile
A collection of performance indicators that, when taken together, define expected characteristics or behaviors.
Programming Environment
Software development tools that support the design, implementation, verification, and application of new programs using some type of programming or authoring language (e.g., Pascal, Logo, BASIC, HyperTalk, HyperLogo).
Project-Based
Undertaken in the context of progress toward completion of a project.
Pythagorean Triples
Three numbers that can represent the lengths of the sides of a right triangle. The square of the largest of the set of numbers must equal the sum of the squares of the other two numbers in the triple (e.g., 6, 8, 10).

Top
- R -

Real-Time Videoconferencing
An online conference using video in which all sites participate simultaneously.
Related Technologies
Digital technologies such as computers, videodisc players, CD-ROM players, imaging devices, interfaced musical equipment, robots, and so forth.
Remote Information Access and Retrieval
Use of telecommunications networks to obtain information from a remote site (e.g., use of Dialog Information Network to research a given topic such as the ERIC database or stock market prices).
Resource Unit
A term used in this book to denote a set of activities organized around a powerful theme. Each unit provides tools and resources and addresses the theme with a variety of activities covering both subject area and technology standards.
Rubric
An established set of rules or guidelines.

Top
- S -

Scientific Probes
Computer peripherals that measure and report data directly to a computer program where it is stored. Used in scientific experimentation. See environmental probe (e.g., temperature probe, distance sensor).
Search Engines
Software that allows retrieval of information from electronic databases (library catalogs, CD-ROMs, the Web) by locating user-defined characteristics of data such as word patterns, dates, or file formats.
Simulation Program
A computer program that simulates an authentic system (city, pond, company, organism) and responds to choices made by program users (e.g., Oregon Trail II, SimCity).
SSR (Silent Sustained Reading)
Specific time allocated in the day or week during which everyone in a school or class stops what they are doing and reads silently.
Student-Centered/Directed Instruction
A constructivist (see definition for constructivism) approach to teaching in which teachers try to take advantage of studentsí prior knowledge and interests to encourage active engagement in intellectual exploration, problem solving, and synthesis of new knowledge.
Support Personnel
Persons charged with facilitating the education activities of professionals in a school setting.

Top
- T -

Teacher Utilities
Software tools that can be used by the teacher to provide instructional or personal/professional enhancements to existing applications (e.g., grade book program, curriculum manager, test generator, class roster manager).
Technology-Based Instruction
Instructional applications that involve some aspect of computers or related technologies (e.g., use of a teacher-constructed database in a social studies unit; using a graphing utility to teach relationships between two measures in economics, science, or mathematics).
Technology Resource Person
A person designated to provide knowledge, information, and support for hardware, software, networks, and staff development within an educational institution (e.g., school district technology coordinator).
Telecommunications
Telecommunications includes all types of electronic communication services, including satellite, fiber-optic, computer-based transmission, telephone, and radio.
Thematic Unit
A unit of instruction related to a particular theme (e.g., money, time, change, oceans) to which all unit activities connect.
Timeline Software
Software containing a framework for establishing a timeline and populating that timeline with multimedia resource material (letters, awards, voice recordings, video, photographs) to depict conditions and events at each particular point along the time continuum addressed (e.g., Tom Snyderís TimeLiner).

Top
- U -

URL
The Uniform Resource Locator is the address on the World Wide Web used to access a particular web server, site, or page (e.g., http://www.iste.org).
Note: This link will open a seperate browser window

Top
- V -

Videoconferencing
Video and audio transmitted live via telecommunications that allow people at remote locations to see and hear each other. Examples of videoconferencing systems used in education include VTEL and CU-See Me.
Virtual Reality (VR) Software
Computer software that allows the creation of realistic depictions of physical space. Users appear to move through and manipulate objects in this artificial environment (e.g., QuickTime Virtual Reality).
Virtual Tool
Development software that creates programs for several computer environments.
Virtual Worlds
See virtual reality software.

Top
- W -

Web
See World Wide Web.
Web Page
Site on the Web representing an individuals, organizations, or institutions web presence.
Web-Page Creation Software
Editing tools that generate and display files in hypertext markup language (World Wide Web) format (e.g., PageMill, Home Page, FrontPage).
Web Search
Invoking one of the many search engines available for locating information on the Web related to specific key words.
Website
See Web Page.
Webbing
Graphically representing dependence of each concept, skill, or ability on all of its prerequisites. See concept-mapping software.
Webmaster
An individual who is responsible for maintaining a website.
Webquest
A learning activity that involves searching for specified information on the Web. Developed by Bernie Dodge and Tom March at San Diego State University.
World Wide Web (Web)
  1. The worldwide array of hypertext transfer protocol (http) servers allowing access to text, graphics, sound files, and more to be mixed together and accessed through the Internet.
  2. Used loosely to refer to the whole universe of resources available using Gopher, FTP, http, Telnet, USENET, WAIS, and some other tools. (The above was taken in the most part from International Society for Technology and Education. (2000). National Educational Technology Standards for Students' Connecting Curriculum and Technology.)

Top


To view this document in PDF Format.




previous resources material_menu next-arrow-dim1

line
© The Illinois Community College Board, Illinois Board of Higher Education, and Illinois State Board of Education, in conjunction with a Preparing Tomorrow's Teachers To Use Technology (PT3) grant from the U.S. Department of Education, funded this project to infuse technology into the core curriculum at Illinois Community Colleges and Universities.