eLearning Glossary
Below you will find definitions for commonly used terms in Online Learning:
A
Asynchronous – One way at a time communication; posting to a discussion
forum, sending an eMail, or using Text Chat tools.
B
Bandwidth - is the amount of data that can be sent or received as a single
unit in one-second over a telephone line, wireless, or cable medium.
Blog - is short for “Web Log”, a web site that allows an individual to post
personal reflections, insights, or position on single or multiple topics. Some Blogs
allow others to post responses to topics.
C
Content - is any material in an Online Course that is relevant to
student learning.
D
Download - refers to retrieving a electronic file or software application
from an internet source or online course and storing it on your computer.
E
eLearning - to take a course online using a modem, wireless, or
cable connection to access academic course material from a computer,
phone, or handheld device.
ePortfolio - a compilation of student work made up of documents and artifacts
displayed electronically, usually from a web site.
F
Facilitator - an instructor that guides student learning in an
online environment.
FAQ - frequently asked questions.
Firewall - is an electronic device or software application that
allows and restricts data communications between two computers.
H
HTML - "HyperText Markup Language" is the formatting code that provides
instructions to your web browser on how to display web page information.
I
Internet - millions of computers connected together via wire, wireless,
and cable medium to access or provide commerce, education, and
entertainment. ISP's provide a paid service that allow computer
users to connect and communicate with other connected computers.
ISP - "Internet Service Providers", provide access to the internet for
computer users via dialup. wireless, and cable service subscriptions.
J
Java - is a software application created by Sun Systems® to help external
software programs function properly in a web browser.
L
Learning Management System - is commercial software product that
enables instructors to provide course materials to students with
access to a computer, phone, or handheld device via an internet
connection.
Learning Module - is separate unit of course material. It can be one or
more textbook chapters and supplemental course material.
Log in/on - is user authentication to a website. A user enters a name
and password to validate their right to view the website content.
N
Netiquette - an ethical code of conduct and behaviour when
communicating online with other online users.
O
Online learning - see "eLearning, - Learniing Management System".
P
Plug-in - is a software application that merges itself within a web
browser to extend or enhance a web browser display features.
Pop-ups - are secondary web browsers of varing size that open
outside of the primary web browser window.
S
Synchronous learning - learning interaction occurs in real time
(without a time delay) and requires online participants (students)
to attend at a specific time for communication to take place.
U
Upload - refers to sending an electronic file from a computer,
phone, or handheld device to an online course via the internet.
W
Web Log - See "BLOG".
Wiki - is a website that allows multiple users to create, modify and
organize web page content in a collaborative manner.
Z
Zip File - is one or more files compressed into an a single file using a
software application that creates zip files. Any file with a .zip with
file extension.
