Glossary

 

Search for words beginning with the letter:

 

A        B        C        D - E         F - H        I         J  - K         L         M - N         O - Q         R - T          U - Z

 

 

A     

 

Accessible: A quality that allows machines, buildings, systems, etc., to be used by the largest number of people, despite any disabilities or limitations that may affect these people. See: www.w3.org/wai or www.cast.org

 

Acquired knowledge: Information that originates outside an organization. The knowledge can be purchased or rented.

 

Adaptation Knowledge: Knowledge that results from responding to new processes or technologies in the marketplace.

 

AICC:  Aviation Industry CBT Committee. The AICC is an international association that prepares guidelines for the development, delivery and evaluation of computer-based training and related technologies for the aviation industry.

 

These guidelines apply to the development, delivery, and evaluation of training courses that are delivered via technologies.

 

AICC recommendations are fairly general to most types of computer-based training. See: http://www.aicc.org

 

Applet: A small Java program that can be embedded in an HTML page

 

Appraisee: One who receives appraisal (i.e. a direct report)

 

Appraiser: One who appraises. (e.g. a Manager)

 

Approval Processing: Certain enrollments may require approval prior to confirming the place within the course.

 

EKP allows multiple levels of approval processing, with each level allowing a different approver to be specified.   

 

Appraiser: A person assigned to assess the user; this person is typically the user's manager

 

Appraiser's Suggestion: Typically this is the learning plan suggested/prepared by a user's direct appraiser.

 

Application Service Provider (ASP): a company that offers individuals or enterprises access, over the Internet, to software applications and related services that would otherwise have to be located on their own computers.

 

ASCII: American standard code for information interchange. The de facto worldwide standard code used by computers to represent the upper- and lower-case letters, numbers, punctuation, etc. There are 128 standard ASCII codes, each of which is represented by a 7-digit binary number ranging from 0000000 to 1111111.

 

ASP: Application service provider. ASPs are third-party organizations that manage and distribute software over the Internet. ASPs save their clients time and money by eliminating the need for the company to purchase the software that they have outsourced from the ASP.

 

(Note, this acronym also stands for Active Server Page(s) which is a Microsoft web scripting language and file extension)

 

Assessment: The process used to evaluate a participant's skill or knowledge level

 

Asynchronous e-learning: e-learning that does not occur simultaneously.

 

Asynchronous learning refers to learning events in which interaction is delayed, allowing participants to participate according to their own schedules and be geographically distant from the instructor.    

 

Some examples of asynchronous e-learning include taking a self-paced course, exchanging e-mail messages with a mentor, and posting messages to a discussion group about a course topic.

 

Authoring tool: An application used to create e-learning courseware. Authoring tools are sometimes combined with content management tools. See:

 

 

 

B

 

B2B: Business-to-business. The electronic commerce model that describes transactions between two businesses.

 

B2C: Business-to-consumer. The electronic commerce model that describes transactions between a business and individuals.

 

Bandwidth: The amount of data that can be carried by a network in a given period of time, usually expressed in bits per second. Low bandwidth can limit the multimedia content and interactivity of a course.

 

BBS: Bulletin board service. A facility for posting or downloading files over the Web.

 

Best practice: The most appropriate way of handing a certain task based on an observation of the way that several organizations handle that task.   

 

Bit: Binary DigIT. A single-digit number in base-2 (i.e. '1' or '0'.) The smallest unit of computerized data.

 

Bookmark: A feature in the Navigator browser that is used for storing Internet addresses. In Internet Explorer, this feature is called 'Favorites.'

 

Bps: Bits per second. The unit used to measure the rate that data is transmitted. A 28.8 modem can transmit data at 28,800 bits per second.

 

Bricks-and-mortar: A term used to describe organizations that operate from a fixed physical location, as opposed to a virtual location on the Internet.

 

Broadcast: A method of simultaneously transmitting learning content from a single source to multiple participants. Variants include IP multicast, which delivers content over a network using Internet protocol, and satellite transmission.

 

Browser: See web browser

 

Business requirements define conditions that any acceptable solution should meet. Business requirements identify user, manager and training administrator needs regarding what the system can do for them

 

Byte: A set of bits representing a single character. There are 8 bits in a byte.

   

 

 

C     

 

Cache: A section of computer memory where frequently used data is stored so that it can be accessed quickly.

 

Catalog: A grouping of learning programs or modules usually by subject or functional area.

 

Catalog Manager: The application program module within EKP in which an administrator can create learning objects, modify schedules, and add entries to the catalog

 

Catalogue: See Catalog

 

Category:  A collection of things sharing a common attribute

 

CBT:  Computer-based training. Instruction in which a computer program provides motivation and feedback in place of a live instructor.

 

CBT can be delivered via CD-ROM, LAN or the Internet.

 

CD-ROM: A high-capacity, optical data-storage medium

 

Certification: The process whereby a participant completes a training program and passes an assessment by meeting a minimum set of requirements.

 

Chat: Synchronous online communication between any number of participants over a network. Chat can be text or voice.

 

Class: A scheduled learning event that can take place at a centralized physical location or in a virtual space.

 

Note that EKP classifies virtual classroom, virtual classroom (archived) and classroom learning object types.

 

Client/server: A technology that defines computers by their function. A computer that retrieves information from the Internet is a client, while the computer that delivers the information is a server.

 

Cognitive level: A designation that identifies the skills (mental or physical) and knowledge that a participant is required to display in order to prove mastery of a reusable information object. A two-level hierarchy is used, based on David Merrill's component display theory and Bloom's Taxonomy (a classification of levels of intellectual behavior).

 

Community Manager: The application program module within EKP in which an administrator can maintain forums, public message board or event messages

 

Computer-mediated communication:  Online communication between two or more people, through computers or computer networks. This can be via e-mail, discussion groups, chat, etc.

 

Competency management is used to identify skills, knowledge and performance within an organization.

 

Content item: A small unit of information that is stored in a database and used to communicate skills or knowledge in support of a reusable information object (RIO). A content item can be in any format (including text, graphics, animation, video, audio, or HTML plug-in) and is combined with practice items and assessment items to create a RIO.   

 

Content management tools: Software that helps developers track the location of information and the relationships among different pieces of information. This is particularly useful in large systems in which the location of content can be easily forgotten. Content management tools are sometimes combined with authoring tools.

 

Cookie: A piece of information sent by a server computer to a web browser that the server uses to track the identity of the browser. The browser sends this information back to the server whenever it requests data from that server.

 

Correspondence course: A collection of learning events completed from a distance that uses written materials for interaction and the submission of assignments. Correspondence courses became popular in the 1890s.

 

Course: An offering comprising a collection of learning events

 

Course Module: A unit of education or instruction in which a single topic or a small section of a broad topic is studied for a given period of time.

 

Each course module has its own Knowledge Center.

 

Course Subject: See Subject

 

Courseware: An instructional or educational software program

 

Curriculum:A predefined or dynamic path of learning events with an end goal such as certification or the achievement of required job skills and knowledge. A curriculum can comprise a series of courses.  In EKP, a curriculum is referred to as a Learning Program.

 

   

 

D - E

 

Database: A collection of related information, which is structured for easy access to specific pieces of information.

 

Data mining: The process of reviewing information in a database and making new connections among the information.

 

Delivery: Any method of transferring offerings to participants. Variants include instructor-led training, web-based distance learning, online laboratory, CD-ROMs and books.

 

Discussion Forum: Not to be confused with a chat application where people exchange typed messages in real time, discussion forums allow people to communicate about various topics by posting messages and replies to messages under the heading of a particular topic. A collection of messages and replies about a topic is often referred to as a thread.

 

Discussion groups:  A form of one-to-many communication where individuals post messages that can be read by a group. Also known as discussion threads.

 

Distance education: The formal process of distance learning. Traditionally, this term has been used to describe higher education.

 

Distance learning:  Learning in which the instructor and the students are in physically separate locations. Distance learning can be synchronous or asynchronous and can include correspondence courses, video or satellite broadcasts, or e-learning.

 

Distance training: Distance learning for corporations and professionals. E-learning is an example of such training.    

 

Distributed learning: An educational structure in which participants take courses from a variety of sources (and delivery modes) to customize a program of study. Often used as a synonym for online learning.

 

Document News/Library: The application program module within EKP in which an administrator can maintain library contents, set status or add document attachments.

 

E-participant: A person taking part in an e-learning course or program.

 

E-learning: Electronic learning. Training and educational materials delivered over the Internet, an intranet, extranet or CD-ROM. Usually, these materials take the form of computer-based training (CBT) courses, including distributed learning, distance learning (other than pure correspondence) and web-based training. e-learning can be synchronous or asynchronous, instructor-led or computer-based, or a combination of the above.

 

E-mail: Electronic mail. A messaging system for communication over the Internet, and over extranets and intranets.

 

Electronic classroom: A traditional classroom that uses multimedia devices to augment the learning experience.

 

Electronic distribution: The transmission of documents using web pages, e-mail, CD-ROM or other electronic medium.

 

Enrollment Status: The state of the user's enrollment in a course.  There are several enrollment status values:

 

Engine: The component in a system responsible for the delivery of content.

 

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) is an industry term for large, often multi- course software applications that manage many facets of a company's operations including product planning, parts purchasing, maintaining inventories, interacting with suppliers, providing customer service, tracking orders, and managing resources and financials.       

 

Eniwetok Time:  Eniwetok, in the Marshall Islands in the Pacific, is halfway around the Earth so its time can be calculated by subtracting 12 from GMT. When the sun is high overhead at noon in Greenwich it is midnight in Eniwetok. New York City is 5 hours East of Greenwich so it is "behind" by 5 hours or GMT - 5. Wellington, New Zealand, is 12 hours "ahead" so the new day starts in that time zone, continues around the world and ends in Eniwetok's time zone.

 

Ethernet: A method for connecting computers in a Local Area Network (LAN).

 

An Ethernet-based system can network almost any kind of computer and transmit data at speeds of up to 1 gigabit per second.

 

Extranet: A network that links an organization to its clients, suppliers and external partners. Extranets use the same software and standards as the Internet, but are only open to the company, its customers and partners.

 

 

 

F- H

 

Facility: Something created to serve a particular function.

 

F2F: Face-to-face. An educational structure in which participants and instructors are in the same location at the same time.

 

FAQ Frequently asked questions. FAQs are documents that answer the most common queries on a particular subject.    

 

Feedback Two-way communication between the instructor or system and the participant to increase the quality of the learning experience.   

 

Firewall: Any of a number of security schemes that prevent unauthorized users from gaining access to a computer network or that monitor transfers of information to and from the network.

 

Forum: The main document and series of responses that make up a thread in an online discussion. Also known as a discussion board.   

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ): A collection of information on the basics of any given subject.

 

FTP: File transfer protocol. A common method for moving files between Internet sites.

 

Gigabyte: 1,000 megabytes.  

 

Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) or Universal Time, Coordinated (UTC) is a standard for setting time zones. Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) or Universal Time, Coordinated (UTC) is a standard for setting time zones. It is based on an imaginary line running through Greenwich, England, with other lines marking each hour East and West around the globe.

 

Home page: A document with an address (Uniform Resource Locator, i.e., URL) on the World Wide Web maintained by a person or organization.

 

Host: A network computer that can receive information from other computers.

 

HyperText Markup Language (HTML): The formatting used to create a home page on the World Wide Web (WWW).  See: http://www.w3.org/MarkUp

 

HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP): The protocol used to translate an Internet site on the WWW.

 

Human capital: The knowledge that resides in the heads of individual employees and that has not been shared with other employees.

 

Hyperlink:  A link from one location to another. Hyperlinks can connect different sections of the same document, different documents on the same computer or even different computers. Hyperlinks can be created from graphics or from text, which is often underlined to show that it is an active hyperlink.  

 

Hypertext:  Text in a document that has been marked up to allow a user to select words or pictures within the document, click on them, and connect to further information.

 

 

 

I

 

IEEE Learning Technology Standards Committee: A working group established by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers to develop technical standards, recommended practices and guides for software components, tools, technologies and design methods that facilitate the development, deployment, maintenance and interoperation of computer implementations of education and training components and systems. See: http://ltsc.ieee.org

 

IMS Global Learning Consortium, Inc.: A body that is developing and promoting open specifications for facilitating online distributed learning activities such as locating and using educational content, tracking participant progress, reporting participant performance, and exchanging student records between administrative systems. See: http://www.imsproject.org

 

Infobase: A central database of information from all parts of an organization.

 

Instructional design: The systematic development of instructional materials, taking into account the pedagogical and user interface design issues that will affect the learning process.

 

Instructional design includes the entire process of analyzing learning needs and goals, as well as the development, implementation, evaluation and maintenance of situations and materials that facilitate the learning and the development of a delivery system to meet those needs.

 

Instructional designer: An individual who applies a systematic methodology based on instructional theory to create content for learning events.

 

Instructional/Learning Sub-system: Courses, course modules, learning objects, and other organized units that are specifically designed for teaching and learning.

 

Instructor-led training (ILT): A synchronous learning event held in one physical location or delivered via a network, which is led by a teacher. ILT often refers to traditional classroom training.

 

Instructional Management Systems (IMS): A set of technical specifications defining how learning materials will be exchanged over the Internet and how organizations and individual users will use these materials.

 

Intellectual capital: The collected knowledge, expertise and experience of an organization.

 

Intelligent agent: Software that makes decisions without human intervention, using rules of behavior that developers have identified and built into the software.

 

Integrated Learning Management Systems (ILS) A feature enhanced learning management system that typically includes features that assist people with the following tasks:

 

 

See: Learning Management System

 

Interface: A linkage between a computer and a user or among computer programs. The first example refers to the hardware and software that the user interacts with: the computer screen, icons, menus, dialogues, etc. The second example refers to the standard commands and protocols that a computer program uses to exchange information with other programs.

 

Internet: An interconnected system of networks that connects computers around the world.

 

Internet Explorer: A web browser developed by Microsoft Corp. See: http://microsoft.com

 

Internet Protocol (IP): The international standard for addressing and sending data via the Internet.   

 

Internet-based learning: Courses delivered using Internet technologies.     

 

Intranet: An organization's private, internal network. Intranets use the same software and standards as the Internet, but are accessible only to members of the organization.

 

ISP: Internet service provider. An agency that offers connections to the Internet.

 

 

 

J - K

 

Java: A network-oriented computer language invented by Sun Microsystems. Java is used to write programs that can be safely downloaded through the Internet and immediately run without fear of viruses or other harmful elements.

 

Using small Java programs called applets, web pages can include functions such as animations and calculators.

 

Java Database Connectivity (JDBC) is an application program interface to connect programs written in Java to the data in popular databases.

 

Kilobyte:  1024 bytes.    

 

Knowledge:  The objects, concepts and relationships that are assumed to exist in some area of interest. A collection of knowledge, represented using some knowledge representation language is known as a knowledge base and a program for extending and/or querying a knowledge base is a knowledge-based system.  

 

Knowledge differs from data or information in that new knowledge may be created from existing knowledge using logical inference. If information is data plus meaning then knowledge is information plus processing.

 

Knowledge asset: Intellectual property—such as a patent, copyrighted material or license—that generates income for an organization.

 

Knowledge base:  A central database of information about a particular topic or organization.    

 

Knowledge hoarding: The practice of limiting the spread of information either by controlling its flow or failing to share it.

 

Knowledge Center: A center of information about a particular course including:

 

The EKP Knowledge Center also allows a user to

 

Both learning programs and learning modules have their own learning spaces.

 

Knowledge management: The process of capturing, storing, transforming and disseminating information within an organization. Knowledge management is not a product or technology, but is a 'way of doing things' that leverages expertise and information to improve an organization's efficiency, responsiveness, competency and innovation.

 

Knowledge Management System: Software that collects, stores, and makes information available among individuals in an organization. It includes information about such resources as people with a certain expertise. It can correlate what people have learned from doing their jobs, and it is designed to facilitate the exchange of these understandings among employees. A knowledge management system can help companies to avoid reinventing the wheel, and it can enhance the exchange and dissemination of understandings within an enterprise.

 

Knowledge networking: New content that results from people sharing existing information with one another formally or informally. Knowledge networking often occurs within disciplines (such as programmers communicating with one another) and projects (such as all of the people working on a new software product sharing information).

 

 

 

L

 

LAN: Local Area Network

 

Learner: Anyone who accesses information to increase their skills and knowledge. (AKA Participant)

 

Learning Environment: Software designed as an all-in-one solution that can facilitate online learning for an organization. It includes the functions of a learning management system for those courses within the learning environment, but it may not be able to track online courses that were not created within this particular learning environment.

 

A learning environment is characterized by an interface that allows students to register and take courses, staying within that environment for the duration of the course. The program will usually include some self-instructional portions, along with an academic model of a multi-week course.

 

An instructor often facilitates this model, where a group can proceed on a week-to-week basis with seminar assignments. Most learning environments also include an authoring capability for creation of additional courses for the instructor.

   

Learning event: An activity used by a participant to increase their skills and knowledge.

 

Learning History: A user's current learning records, tests, grades, and enrollment status  (also known as a transcript)

 

Learning Management System (LMS): A Learning Management System is software that automates the administration of training events. The LMS registers users, tracks courses in a catalog, and records data from users; it also provides appropriate reports to management. The database capabilities of the LMS extend to additional functions such as company management, online assessments, personalization, and other resources.

 

Learning management systems administer and track both online and classroom-based learning events, as well as other training processes (these would need to be manually entered into the system for tracking purposes).

 

An LMS is typically designed for multiple publishers and providers. It usually does not include its own authoring capabilities; instead, it focuses on managing courses created from a variety of other sources.

 

Learning Module: See Course Module

 

Learning networks: Communities of participants connected via computer networks.

 

Learning Object:  Course materials developed according to a standard that allows easy sharing. Learning objects are modular and can be used for a variety of purposes and outputs.  See Object

 

Learning objective: A statement that establishes a measurable behavioral outcome, which is used to indicate how the participant's acquisition of skills and knowledge is being measured.

 

Learning Profile: The Learning Profile offers users access to information, including the related Learning Spaces of course modules that the user is currently enrolled in.

 

Learning Programs: Groupings of learning (course) modules of different types.  Each learning program its own Knowledge Center.

 

Learning Type: A classification of learning modules or programs by type or media including:

 

 

Listserv:  A popular software program used to set up and maintain electronic discussion groups.

 

Live e-learning (also known as Synchronous e-learning) means that communication occurs at the same time between individuals and information is accessed instantly. Examples of synchronous e-learning include real-time chat, and video or audio conferencing.   

 

Localization Tailoring an offering to meet the specific needs of a geographic area or target audience.  

 

Log out: A command that disconnects a user from the system.

 

 

  

 

 

M - N

 

Mailing list: An e-mail-based discussion group. Sending an e-mail message to the mailing list causes the message to be sent all other members of the discussion group. Users join a mailing list by subscribing and must unsubscribe to stop receiving messages.

 

Megabyte: A million bytes. A thousand kilobytes.

 

Media Types: Media formats that have common traits or characteristics that distinguish them.  In the case of EKP 'Media Types' generally refer to the format on which learning programs or course modules are stored.  That is,

 

Metadata: Information about information. For example, metadata could describe the subject of an Internet page.   

 

Metatag: Computer code used to define metadata. Metatags are machine-readable and are used to facilitate the retrieval and management of data.

 

Metcalfe's Law: The observation (by 3Com founder Bob Metcalfe) that the power of a network increases exponentially by the number of computers connected to it

 

MIME: Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions. The standard for attaching non-text files (e.g. graphics, spreadsheets, formatted word-processor documents, sound files, etc.) to regular Internet mail messages.

 

Modem: MOdulator-DEModulator. An electronic device that allows computers to transmit data over telephone lines.

 

Module:  See Course Module.

 

MOO: MUD, object-oriented. A multi-user role-playing environment that allows participants to communicate or play games over the Internet.    

 

Moore's Law: The observation that computing power doubles every 18 months. First made in 1965 by Intel co-founder Gordon Moore.

 

MUD: Multi-user dungeon or dimension. A (usually text-based) multi-user simulation environment. Some MUDs are purely for entertainment, while others are used for software development or education purposes.

 

Multimedia: The combination of text, data, images, audio and full-motion video to produce a powerful, engaging message.

 

Navigator: A web browser developed by Netscape Communications Corp. See: http://www.netscape.com

 

Netiquette: InterNET etIQUETTE. Proper behavior and good manners on the Internet.   

 

Network: Any number of computers and related devices (e.g. scanners, printers, etc.) that are connected electronically to facilitate the sharing of data.     

 

Newsgroup: Any one of thousands of discussion groups on the Internet that comprise Usenet.

 

 

 

 

 

O - Q

 

Object:  The meaning of the word 'Object' will depend on the context in which it is being used.

 

 

Object-oriented programming: A method of preparing parts of computer applications in which programmers develop a series of small programs, each performing a discrete task. These modules can be used repeatedly by a variety of programs. To create a software application or program, programmers link these generic modules together. This same approach underlies the mass-customization of information.   

 

Online: Connected to a computer network. Can mean 'through the computer,' as in 'online help' for an application where help files are stored on a hard drive.

  

Online community: participants, who although separated by distance and time, share a common experience.   

 

Online conferencing: Communications over a network, which can be synchronous via chat or asynchronous via discussion groups.   

 

Online learning: e-learning delivered over the Internet, as opposed to a LAN.    

 

Online training Similar to online learning, but usually denotes corporate or professional education.   

 

Open Database Connectivity (ODBC) is an application program interface to access information from numerous different types of databases including Access, dBase, DB2, etc.

 

Opera: A web browser developed by Opera Software AS. See: http://www.opera.com   

 

Page Alignment: In a report, Page Alignment refers to the arrangement or position of text in a paragraph. Typically text is aligned with the left margin.  

 

Portal: A web site that acts as a doorway to the Internet by providing organized access to a range of information through the use of hyperlinks. Yahoo! (www.yahoo.com) is an example of a portal.    

 

Posting: A single message transmitted to a network communications system such as a newsgroup or message board.

 

Profiling software: Programs that assist organizations in describing users with minimal direct involvement of those users. The resulting descriptions are called profiles.

 

Program: See Learning Programs

 

Protocol:  A formal set of standards, rules, or formats for exchanging data that assures uniformity between computers and applications.

 

QuickTime: A multimedia software application developed by Apple Computer that handles full-motion video, audio, pictures, etc. See: http://www.apple.com

 

 

 

 

R - T

 

Remediation: The process of using feedback to raise a participant's knowledge and skills relative to the learning objective of the offering.

 

Report Manager: the application program module within EKP in which an administrator can create and run summary and in-depth analysis reports on user activity.   

 

Reusable information object: A collection of content, practice and assessment items assembled around a single learning objective. Also known as a RIO (pronounced 'ree-oh').

 

Reusable learning object:  A collection of reusable information objects, overview, summary and assessments that supports a specific learning objective.

 

Also known as an RLO (pronounced 'are-low').

 

SCORM: The Sharable Courseware Object Reference Model (SCORM) is a set of standards that, when applied to course content, produces small, reusable learning objects.

 

Search engine: A tool for finding information on the Internet, or within a web-site or software application. Google (http://www.google.com), Alta-Vista (http://www.altavista.com) and HotBot (http://www.hotbot.com) are examples of Internet search engines.

 

Self assessment: The process in which the participant determines their level of knowledge and skills, without the assistance of an instructor.

 

Self-paced learning: An offering designed so that the participant determines the pace and timing of content delivery.

 

Server: A computer or program that provides data, applications or services to other computers (called clients) on a network. Servers can direct data between networks; connect networks that use different standards; and interface between a network and peripheral devices.

 

Servlet: A Java applet that runs on a web server.  

 

Simulation: The use of a computer representation to provide a participant with an experience that closely resembles a real-life situation. Simulations are suitable for ill-structured problems that require the synthesis and evaluation of information and an experience to produce new ideas, plans or products.

 

Single sourcing: The act of displaying online or printing information from the same file, known as a source.

 

Skills Manager: the application program module within EKP in which an administrator can post skill positions, assign competency screening tests, establish certification programs, and designate training recommendations.

 

SMP: Symbol Manipulation Program

 

SQL: Structured Query Language. A specialized programming language introduced by IBM for managing relational databases.   

 

SSL:  Secure Socket Layer. A protocol designed by Netscape Communications to enable encrypted, authenticated communications on the Internet.

 

Streaming: A technology that allows audio or video files to be played in real time as they are downloaded from the Internet. This saves users from having to wait until a file is fully downloaded before playing it. Streaming requires a program such as Windows Media Player, RealNetworks' RealPlayer, or Apple's QuickTime.   

 

Structural capital: The knowledge that remains in a company after an employee has left the company.

 

Subject: An area of study

 

Subject-matter expert: An individual who is recognized as having proficient knowledge and skills about a topic or area. Often referred to as an SME (pronounced 'smee').

 

Synchronous, or live e-learning, means that communication occurs at the same time between individuals and information is accessed instantly. Examples of synchronous e-learning include real-time chat, and video or audio conferencing.

 

Synchronous learning can take place in a conventional classroom or through an intranet, extranet or the Internet. It can also be delivered using a virtual classroom, chat, whiteboards or videoconferences.

 

System requirements focus on the technological conditions including the operating system, programming language, database, hardware configuration, bandwidth, processing power, etc., required to run a software application correctly.

 

Tacit knowledge: Content that exists within an individual or organization but that has not been recorded or exchanged.

 

Technology-based training:  A term that is used interchangeably with computer-based training. Also known as TBT.

 

Teleconferencing: Interactive communication among individuals in different places. Teleconferencing can include audio-conferencing, videoconferencing and data conferencing.

 

Template: A predefined set of tools or forms that provide the structure and settings necessary to quickly create content.   

 

Terminal: A device that allows a user to communicate with a computer that is located somewhere else. At a minimum, a terminal includes a keyboard, a display and some simple circuitry.  

 

Test Manager: the application program module within EKP in which an administrator can create tests, questions, make assignments, etc

 

Thread: A collection of messages and replies about a topic in a discussion forum (See Discussion Forum)

 

Transcript: A user's current learning records, tests, grades, and enrollment status  (also known as the Learning History)

 

 

 

 

U - Z

 

UNIX: A multi-user computer operating system developed by Bell Laboratories.

 

UNIX is the preferred operating system for critical applications and for Internet servers. Numerous implementations of UNIX have been developed, including AIX, HP-UNIX, Linux and Solaris.

 

Uniform Resource Locator (URL): The address of a home page on the WWW.

 

Universal Time, Coordinated (UTC) is a standard for setting time zones

 

Uplink:  The communication link from the transmitting earth station to the satellite.

 

Universal Time, Coordinated (UTC) or Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) is a standard for setting time zones. It is based on an imaginary line running through

Greenwich, England, with other lines marking each hour East and West around

the globe.

 

Usability: The ease and speed with which people can find information, and the accuracy of their interpretation and application of that information.

 

Usenet:  For USErs' NETwork. Another name for Internet newsgroups. Collectively, Usenet comprises all the users who post and read articles on newsgroups.

 

User Manager: the application program module within EKP in which an administrator can add new users, organizations and departments, grant privilege rights, etc.

 

Video teleconferencing: A teleconference including two way video.

 

Virtual classroom: A classroom learning environment without a physical presence.

       

Note that EKP classifies virtual classroom, virtual classroom (archived) and classroom learning object types.

 

Virtual school or university: An educational institution that has staff, students and curricula, but no physical presence. Most virtual schools and universities offer online courses.

 

Virtual space: A place that exists on the Internet, or on an intranet or extranet.

 

A blanket term that includes MOOs, MUDs, virtual meeting rooms and virtual classrooms.

 

Voice chat: Synchronous, audio-only communication between two or more people over the Internet.

 

Vortal: Vertical industry portal. An Internet portal dedicated to one industry. Photonics Online (www.photonicsonline.com) is vortal catering to the photonics industry.

 

WAN: Wide Area Network (WAN)

 

WBT can be instructor-led or computer-based. It is very similar to e-learning, but usually refers to professional or corporate learning.    

 

Web-based course: Distance education course materials supported by computer-mediated communications and delivered asynchronously over the Web. Ancillary materials such as print, videos and CD-ROMs may also be used.   

 

Web-based training:  Training delivered over a network, such as a LAN or WAN.

 

Web browser:  A program for viewing HTML documents. Examples include Internet Explorer, Navigator and Opera.

 

Whiteboard: A program that allows instructors and students to meet and share information online. It includes a shared text window, and may also support shared drawing, web pages and slides. HorizonLive's (www.horizonlive.com) eBoard is an example of a whiteboard.

 

Wideband: A medium-capacity communications circuit/path. Usually implies a speed from 64Kbps to 1.544Mbps. (Contrast with broadband and narrowband)

 

World Wide Web (WWW): A graphical hypertext-based Internet tool that provides access to home pages created by individuals, businesses, and other organizations.

 

XML: eXtensible Markup Language. A new metalanguage (i.e. one that defines other languages) that is both platform- and operating system-independent. XML can be used to enable interoperability between systems as well as transformations to allow output in multiple media. See: www.w3.org/XML