Glossary of Online Learning
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P R S T U V W XYZ
Accessibility
Any characteristic of technology that makes it usable to people with disabilities. An accessible website has provisions for people with visual, hearing, motor or cognitive difficulties.
Analog
A signal received in the same form in which it is transmitted.
AoD
Audio on demand
Applet
A small application often embedded within a web page.
Application
A computer program that can stand alone.
ASP
Active Server Pages. Web pages that can be generated dynamically based on user requests. Most web pages are HTML and are created with static content.
Assessment
The process of evaluating an e-learner’s knowledge.
Asynchronous learning
Learning that is not synchronized. Interaction between an instructor and (a) student(s) with a time delay.
Audio conferencing
A voice only connection between more than two sites, using phone or computer messaging technology.
Avatar
In any online environment, this is an image of a person representing a person in the real world. “Avatar” was originally the Sanskrit term for manifestation or incarnation.
Bandwidth
Information carrying capacity of any communication channel.
BBS
Bulletin Board System. Any online community on to which users can log and post messages. It might also include email capabilities, chat among users and the ability to upload or share files. In terms of online learning, a BBS might be a feature of an e-learning site that facilitates further learning.
Blended learning
The combination of real world face to face learning with online learning.
Blog
A weblog. Regular journal-like entries as apart of a website or portal that share the author’s thoughts on current events or any other material he or she feels like.
Bookmark
Depending on the browser, this might also be called a “favorite.” It’s a web page or site that is saved for easy retrieval and quick launch.
Bps
Bites per second. A speed of data transmission over phone lines or cable. The number of bits that is transmitted in a second.
Bricks and Mortar World
“The real world.” The opposite of the virtual world online. As opposed to online learning, the “bricks and mortar” world is the world of university and college campuses.
Broadband
The broadest bandwidth available. Its actual speed varies with technological innovation.
Broadcast
In television, this is the signal that goes out to a mass audience. The word has since been adapted for new technology, including webcasting and podcasting.
Browser
An application or program that displays pages from the World Wide Web, allowing you to “move around” the internet. Common web browsers are Internet Explorer, Netscape, Mozilla Firefox and Opera.
Cable modem
A modem using cable similar to that used for cable television; faster than phone lines.
CAI
Computer Assisted Instruction. Any form of instruction that uses computers as a medium for transmitting knowledge.
Case Study
A scenario used to illustrate a problem
CD ROM
Compact Disc, Read Only Memory. A compact disc with graphics and other instructional materials. “Read only memory” means that more information cannot be removed from or added to the disc by the user. These hold more than 600 megabytes of information.
Certification
Awarding of a credential acknowledging that an individual has shown proof of the minimal knowledge or competence required in a field of endeavor. Quite often, this meets the standards of an industry body.
Chat
Text based communication happening in real time. In e-learning, chat can be a feature of courseware that allows students to communicate with each other or with the instructor.
CLO
Chief Learning Officer. In any organization or corporation this is the executive in charge of strategic development of learning.
CMI
Computer Managed Instruction. The use of computers to oversee the learning process.
CMS
Content Management System. A software application that centralizes and streamlines all the aspects of design and content for a system of e-learning or web sites.
CoD
Content on Demand. Stored content that is able to be downloaded or otherwise delivered anywhere, anytime.
Codec
A device that can code or decode analog signals for transmission, using compression or other means.
Collaborative technology
Software, platforms and other technologies that allow people to communicate or work together. It may include file and application sharing, chat and more.
Compression
Any technology that reduces large files to a manageable size for easy transmission (or download). The most popular form of compression is Zip.
Content
In specific instances, this can refer to the text of a website or e-learning course, but it is more generally all the parts: pictures, video, animations, simulations, etc.
Convergence
The combination of various technologies into one simpler format.
Cookie
(Hidden) information stored on the computer of any visitor to a website. These are used by your computer to track data. If left unchecked they will accumulate to slow down your RAM. Cookies are closely related to the “Cache” or “Temporary Internet Files.”
Courseware
Instructional or educational materials delivered through software or over the internet.
CPU
Central Processing Unit. The part of the computer that houses the power supply, microprocessor, hard drive and other discs.
Customer focused e-learning
Companies offer learning to their customers for free in order to increase brand loyalty.
Cyberspace
The space where humans interact with computers. In today’s usage the term (originally coined by William Gibson in Neuromancer) is nearly synonymous with the internet.
Default
A setting that any computer system (including browsers and software) uses automatically. The term implies that these can be changed according to users’ preferences.
Dial up
Using a modem to connect to the internet via telephone lines.
Digital
The reduction of information to its most discrete and simplest form for fast transmission.
Discussion Boards
Also called forums, these allow users to post thoughts, ideas, links and more to a web page that others can read.
Disc/Disk
Nickname for a floppy disc, CD, DVD or CD ROM
Distance Learning/Distance Education
Any learning situation in which the instructor and student are separated by time, distance or both. In the past, this was limited to correspondence courses using taped lectures and typed lecture notes, but it now includes online learning and more.
Download
A file that is transferred to a user’s computer from a central source, via the internet. As a verb, “download” is the process of transferring files to a user’s computer.
DSL
Digital Subscriber Line. High speed internet access (up to 10 Mbps) using phone lines.
E-learning
Electronic learning. Most often this refers to learning over the internet, but this may also include other computer based learning tools such as CD ROMS and other software.
Email
Messages sent via the internet, from one user to another.
End User
The individual for whom a particular technology or website is designed. Students are the end users of online learning materials.
Ergonomics
Any design principles that relate to comfort and ease of use.
Ethernet A restricted local area network in which computers can communicate much the same way they do over the internet.
Extranet
A local area network that is available to a specific group of people, usually employees of an organization or perhaps students of a course. It may employ HTML and other kinds of web pages.
False starter
A person who does not complete an e-learning course.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions. A list, in question and answer format, of inquiries that are typical of users of a site or other educational materials.
Feedback
Communication from an instructor to a student, concerning the fulfillment of an assignment.
Firewall
A technology to maintain the internal security of a computer system.
Flash A technology able to make animations and small movies that can help as a visual aid for online learning and other websites. The technology is made by Macromedia.
FTP
File Transfer Protocol. A procedure allowing a user to move files from a distant computer using any network, such as the internet.
GB
Giga Byte. 1,000 megabytes – a unit of measurement in bits of information.
GIF
Graphics Interchange Format. A file format for storing images; it allows for some animation, as opposed to Jpegs, which are always static.
Graphics
Any picture, clipart or logo.
GUI
Graphic User Interface. A computer interface that uses pictures and icons (as well text and other materials, possibly).
Hard drive
A drive that is enclosed within the CPU. Most PCs have on hard drive that is the central storage unit of the computer.
Hard skills
Technical skills related to work.
Homepage
The opening page of a website. It is also called the index or the splash page.
HTML
Hypertext Markup Language. The programming language that is still primarily used to create web pages.
HTTP Hypertext Transfer Protocol. A set of procedures to govern transfer of information across the World Wide Web.
Hypertext
The kind of text used in web pages to link material, allowing you to “jump” anywhere in space and time on the World Wide Web.
Icon
A single symbol representing a complex function or operation.
ILS
Integrated Learning Systems
Any system of instruction that uses several modes, such as software, hardware, text, etc.
IMS
Instructional Management System. Refers to a coalition of government organizations dedicated to defining specifications for e-learning and online learning products.
Information architecture
The organization or design of information. This is especially important in online learning.
Instant Messenger
Software (usually referring to that copyrighted by MSN) that allows users to select buddies to communicate in real time, using text, emoticons, animations and more.
Internet-based Training
Any training delivered over the internet, including websites, email, extranets, etc.
Intranet
A network protected from outside intrusion and closed to the internal use of employees of a company.
ISP
Internet Service Provider. The service that provides users with internet service.
IT
Information Technology. The industry that uses computers to collect and disseminate data.
Java
A programming language used to develop products that can be used with HTML (web pages) but works independently and very differently from HTML.
Java applet
A small Java application that is used as part of a web page.
JavaScript
A coding language used in conjunction with HTML to make web pages more interactive and dynamic.
JPEG
Joint Photographic Experts Group. A kind of image file that allows users to reduce file size. The Experts Group is an organization for standardization who created this format.
KB
Kilobyte. Usually rounded off to a 1,000 bytes; it is in fact, 1,024 bytes.
KMS Knowledge management system. Any system that can capture, organize and store information used by people within an organization.
Knowledge base A database for storing knowledge assets
LAN
Local Area Network. A collection of computers and other hardware linked together and located within a relatively small area, such as an office.
Learning environment
The physical or virtual setting in which learners and teachers are together.
Learning object
Any collection of information that is used as a building block in a course.
Learning portal
Any website that acts as a window onto a collection of websites or sources of information all related to one specific subject.
Link
Any HTML that allows the user to move to another web page or web site.
LMS
Learning Management System. Any system that organizes training materials.
Lurking
Reading postings in a forum without interacting with those postings, by contributing.
M-learning
Mobile learning. Any learning that takes place via mobile platforms such as a laptop, PDA or cell phone.
MB
Megabyte. Often considered to be 1 million bytes, it is actually 1,048,576 bytes.
Mbps
Megabits per second. A measurement of transmission speed for uploads, downloads and other data transfer.
Mentoring
Career development in which less experienced workers are paired with experienced ones.
Modem
A device that enables computers to interact with each other and the internet.
MOO
MUD object-oriented. Any multi-user domain (MUD) created with an object-oriented language.
MPEG
Moving Picture Experts Group. A video file format that uses compression for easier, faster transmission.
MP3
A music file format using compression for faster, easier transmission.
MUD
Multi User Domain. A virtual world, usually found on the internet, in which users can interact with other users, most often through avatars. These are most often used in games such as Doom or Runescape, but they have increasingly broader application in e-learning.
Multimedia
The use of various media to convey one message.
Navigation
The various design features that enable you to move within a website or online course.
Nesting
Situating documents within other documents
Net
Purists might use the form ‘net, but either word is a short form for internet.
Object-oriented programming
A kind of programming that allows programmers to create and define the following list of formats as objects: data structures, data types, and the operations that are to be applied to these objects. Some examples of object-oriented languages are Java and C++.
Online
In which a computer is connected to another computer or server via a network.
Online learning
Learning delivered by internet-based technology, including websites, email, etc.
Open source software
Any software in which the source code is a made available so that users can interact with it or change it to their own needs and still leave it open for others to modify it.
Operating System
A computer program that controls all the components and facilitates operation of programs and applications.
Page turner
A pejorative for any e-learning course that is not information intensive enough.
PDA
Personal Digital assistant. A handheld computer that can be used to organize information such as contacts, calendar dates, etc. These can also interact with the internet, usually.
PDF
Portable Document Format. A file format developed by Adobe to enable the document to be transported across platforms while maintaining its original format.
P2P
Peer to peer. Any network or website that allows users to share files.
Pixel
The tiniest dot that makes up a computer image.
Plug and play
Any format or device that allows the user to immediately install and begin using it.
PNG
Portable Networks Graphic. A graphics format that allows for transparency and does not compress file size as small as that allowed by the GIF.
POP
Post office protocol. Standards governing the retrieval of email messages.
Portal
Any website that acts as a doorway to pages or sites that are grouped around one particular subject.
Portmanteau
The process of making a new word by putting two familiar words together, used often in tech speak. For an example, see webinar below.
Post
To put a message on a forum or bulletin board.
Prescriptive Learning A process for personalizing learning, in which a learner’s skill and knowledge gaps have been identified, and the material is customized to meet those.
Protocol
A set of standards that must be followed in the exchange of data.
RAM
Random Access Memory. The temporary storage capacity of your computer that allows you to access and use files or programs.
Real-time communication
Describes any communication technology in which the message is sent and received simultaneously, mimicking the timing of conversation. Instant messenger is an example.
Receive site
Any location that can receive materials from another site, for online education.
Resolution
The clarity of a video display screen or monitor.
RLO
Reusable Learning Object. Any collection of materials that can be applied to a variety of learning sites or courses.
Scalability
The degree to which any application (such as an online learning course) can be expanded in size, volume or number of users.
Scanner
A device that can convert a printed page or image into a usable computer file.
SCORM
Sharable Content Object Reference Model. Any set of specifications that can produce small, reusable learning objects. It is capable of producing a large repository of online learning objects that are similar in design or function.
Screen reader
Any software that speaks text on the screen, for use by individuals who are visually impaired.
Screenshot
A picture or “capture” of a screen image of a game or online learning program. These images can be used for other applications, such as presentations.
Script
A set of instructions that is carried out by a computer program.
Scroll
To use your keyboard or mouse to move on a computer screen, wither up, down, left or right.
Section 508
A section of the Rehabilitation Act stating that all electronic and information technology must be accessible to people with disabilities.
Self-assessment
Any process through which an e-learner determines his or her level of knowledge.
Self-paced learning
Any form of learning in which the student determines timing of delivery of learning materials.
Semantic Web
Tim Berners-Lee, inventor of the World Wide Web, proposes that the web can be made more useful if computers can learn to “speak each others’ language” enabling faster flow of information.
Serial port
Any connection point where peripheral devices are attached to a computer.
Server
A computer used for holding web site data and other information, also used to connect incoming and outgoing data transmission.
Simulations
Any interactive graphic, movie or other model that allows users to see a process in action or to interact with that process. In e-learning, this is an effective learning tool.
Skills inventory
Any list of skills possessed by an individual.
SME
Subject matter expert. Any individual recognized as having qualification necessary to teach a subject.
Soft skill
Any business skill, such as interpersonal communication, leadership, communication or anything similar, that is not easily quantifiable or testable.
Software
Any set of instructions that allows a computer to perform a specialized task; a program.
Source code
Program instructions written by a software developer or website designer that are later translated for computer use.
Spam
Junk email that is sent en masse, usually to advertise. The word is also used as a verb.
SQL
A computer programming language that is used for accessing information in a database.
Standard
A specification in e-learning, set by a governing body to ensure quality.
Streaming media
Any video or audio file that can be played as it is being downloaded (without having to wait).
Style sheets
On the web, this is a kind of coding page that maintains the consistency of design of a web site across all pages.
Synchronous learning
Any kind of learning that simulates a real class room setting, essentially. In a virtual classroom, the students and instructor can communicate with each other in real time and learn at the same time. This is possible with video, VoIP and other new technologies.
TCP
Transmission Control Protocol. Any protocol ensuring that data is sent and received in a particular order.
Telecommuting
Working at home but connecting to an office by way of the internet or other network.
Template
A predefined set of tools that forms a structure to give a web site or learning environment consistency.
Thread
Any series of messages on a particular topic, as found in a discussion forum.
Transparent Technology
Technology that is easy to use or “intuitive” in nature.
Tutorial
Any step by step instructions that allow you to learn a new program.
Upload
To send a file from a computer to a server.
URL
Uniform Resource Locator. The address of a World Wide Web page. For example, the URL of this site is onlinelearning101.com
Usability
The measure of how easy it is to use a web site or other e-learning materials. If it is difficult for user to navigate or to find the information they want, then the online education materials are said to have poor usability.
Videoconferencing
Combining video and audio signals to communicate among more than two people.
Virtual
Existing in a world that is not concrete or physical.
Virtual Classroom
The online learning space where students and instructors meet.
Virus
A computer program designed to infiltrate and disrupt or disable the normal operation of a computer or program.
VoD
Video on Demand.
VoIP
Voice over internet protocol. Voice transmitted (digitally) over the internet. The technology enables users to bypass long distance charges.
Vortal
A vertical portal, one that targets a niche audience.
W3C
The World Wide Web Consortium, an organization that sets universal specifications for websites and web tools.
WAN
A computer network that spans a large area. One example of a WAN is the internet.
WAP
Wireless Application Protocol, a specification that allows internet content to be read by wireless devices.
WBL
Web based learning, essentially any learning that is delivered via a web browser. This can include content delivered over the internet, an intranet or an extranet.
WBT
Web based training. See WBL (web based learning).
Webinar
A portmanteau of web and seminar. A seminar that is delivered over the web. It can be stored for later downloading, and like a seminar can be used to demonstrate or present.
Webpage
A single page from a website. The home page or splash page of a website is one web page.
Website
Usually a collection of linked webpages and files that are kept under one URL.
Whiteboard
An electronic version of a blackboard that allows learners to view the drawings or writings of an online instructor.
Wi-fi
Products having wireless fidelity capability, the ability to interoperate wirelessly.
Wizard
Any small application that guides you through a process, usually the step-by-step setting up or downloading of a program.
WML
Wireless markup language, the language that allows web pages to be reduced for display on a wireless device.
Worm
A type of virus that is capable of replicating itself many times over.
WORM
Write Once, Read Many, a type of data storage disk that allows information to be saved to it only once.
XML
Extensible Markup Language, a coding language used in some web pages.
Zip file
A compressed file that may hold many files and folders. It comes with a .ZIP extension. Many e-learning files come in this format, which can be easily extracted.
