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Plymouth University - Distance learning glossary Category: Education > Distance learning Date & country: 15/12/2007, UK Words: 97

E-Mail-Electronic mail
A computer-based communication system that allows users to send and receive messages asynchronously.

WWW
World Wide Web. An increasingly popular Internet program that allows viewing of text, graphics, sound, and video files.

Wikipedia
A free content, multilingual encyclopedia written collaboratively by contributors around the world. The site is a Wiki

Wiki
A collection of websites in hypertext, each of them can be visited and edited by anyone. 'Wiki wiki' means 'rapidly' in the Hawaiian language

VR
Virtual Reality.

WAIS
Wide Area Information Server. Enables on-line searches for a specific string of information.

WAN
Wide Area Network. A transmission network that interconnects computers between remote sites for the purpose of sharing voice, data, facsimile and/or video.

Videotext
A two-way interactive system for delivering computer-generated data into the home through a television set.

Video Projector
A portable slide projector-like device that can project a real time moving or still video image onto a screen in a semi-darkened room. Some systems may also be wired to accommodate a computer-type signal for projection purposes.

Video Conference
A meeting, instructional session, or conversation between people at different locations relying on full bandwidth, full motion video technology as the primary communication link.

Video Compression
MPEG and JPEG are two coding systems for reducing the size of computer files involving still picture (JPEG) and moving picture (MPEG) images.

Uplink Dish
The electronic facility for transmitting a signal up to a satellite transponder.

Video
What your home television and VCR use. A generic term for the most common image format in the United States. It can be recorded, edited, broadcast. It is NOT the same as the visual signal that most computers display. Special boards or transcoding devices need to be added to Macintosh and IBM clone type computers to display video.

Two-Way Video-Two-Way Audio
Interactive video in which all sites are in visual contact. Audioconferencing is used for real-time verbal interaction.

Transponder
A specialised element of a satellite used to transmit and receive signals.

Teletext
Broadcast service using several otherwise unused scanning lines between frames of TV images to transmit text information from a central database to television sets.

Telenet
American packet-switching service (GTE).

Telematics
the convergent action of telecommunications and informatics (information science). The merging of computers and communications systems.

Telecourse
A specialised kind of educational delivery of packaged video, text and study materials with significant educational design elements and high production values.

Teleconferencing
Interactive communication among people at two or more locations using telecommunication. May involve audio, graphics, computer, or video communication.

Synchronous
A system in which events occurring in regular timed intervals are kept continuously in step with an electronic clocking device.

Telecommunications
The process of transmitting information over a distance by any electrical or electromagnetic medium. Information may take the form of voice, video, or data. Electromagnetic transmission media include telephone lines, cable, microwave, satellites, and light beams.

Streaming
Playing video or sound in real time as it is downloaded over the Internet. Data is decompressed and played (by use of a web browser plug-in) as it is transferred to your computer over the World Wide Web.

SMS
Short Message Service. A service for sending messages of up to 160 characters (224 characters if using a 5-bit mode) to mobile phones that use Global System for Mobile (GSM) communication.

Site Coordinator
The administrator at the receive site who is responsible for local testing and instructional activities.

Smart Podium-Classroom
The equipping of a presentation location with electronic support and equipment to enhance the learning process.

Simplex Video
One-way video communication capable of origination and reception, though not simultaneously.

Scanner
A device that uses a moving optical reader to store a page or photo for translation into digital (bitmap) information.

Scan Converter
A hardware device that is able to convert an IBM or MAC output signal into a composite video signal that could be used on a standard television or VCR. Conversion may result in some loss or distortion in the display.

Satellite
An orbiting device used for receiving and transmitting signals from one site to multiple receivers around the country.

ROM
Read Only Memory. Permanent storage area in a computer memory that cannot easily be changed.

Receiving Sites
All sites, other than the originating sites, participating in a telecommunicated course, conference or meeting.

RAM
Random access memory. Temporary memory storage area in a computer that can be changed.

Real Time
An application in which information is received and responded to immediately.

POTS
Plain old telephone service.

QuickTime
A software solution developed by Apple to allow the simulation of moving video throughout a variety of programs. Files are known as 'Quick-Time Movies'.

PDA
Personal digital assistant. A small hand-held device that combines computer power with graphics, sound, video, and communication capabilities. Can be used as electronic note takers and portable display telephones.

PC (Personal Computer)
A generic term used to describe many kinds of small-format personal computer systems found at schools, homes, and offices. Sometimes identified by the speed of the central processing board (486, 6840, etc.). Many older units are too slow at updating graphics displays to be incorporated into electronic presentation systems.

Packet Switching
An efficient method of data transmission that breaks down messages into smaller information units of standard size called packets, which are individually addressed and routed through a network.

Originating Site
The site originating the telecommunicated course, conference or meeting.

Overhead Camera
A tabletop camera usually mounted on an adjustable arm. Typically used for sending a still image of a document or other object during a conference, or used in-room for showing on a wide-screen projector.

Open Source
Open source software is similar in idea to 'free software' but slightly less rigid than the free software movement. Users of open source software are (generally) able to view the source code, alter and re-distribute open source software.

One-Way Video-Two-Way Audio
Interactive video in which the distance student is capable of seeing the instructor (but where the instructor cannot see the students!). Two-way audio-conferencing is used for real-time verbal interaction.

Node
An addressable origination or reception site on a network. This could be a computer, workstation, or communications control unit of some kind.

Network
A configuration of two or more computers linked to share information and resources.

Newsgroup
A computerised message area in which subscribers post messages to an entire group on specific topics.

Multiplex
The action of combining input signals from many sources onto a single communications path, or the use of a single path for transmitting signals from several sources.

Multimedia
Also known as interactive multimedia. The combination of various types of digitised data, including text, sound, computer-generated graphics and animation, photographic images and video.

MPEG
Moving (or Motion) Pictures Experts Group. The group that has defined the multimedia compression standard for consumer and professional digital audio and video. The University of Plymouth uses MPEG-2 to digitise and compress it's uplink signals for satellite transmission.

Modem
MOdulator-DEModulator. A specialist box or card that translates computer data for transmission over phone lines. Requires one at each end and appropriate software. Varying speeds (from 300-9600 baud and faster).

Microwave
High-frequency radio waves used for point-to-point and omni directional communication of audio, data, and video signals. Microwave frequencies require direct 'line of sight' to operate. Obstructions in the path typically distort or block the signal. Has limited distances and requires an FCC license.

Microcomputer
A computer with a microprocessor chip-based processing unit. Microcomputers are the original personal computers that many people use at home and at work.

LCD Panel
A device using a semi-transparent liquid crystal display (LCD) that allows the display of computer information on an overhead projector. The panels cut the light substantially, requiring very bright projectors. Many are limited to black and white, a few scales of grey, or limited motion if images move. More expensive ones work with colour and video…

Laser Disc
A record-like storage medium that uses analogue and laser optical technology to store up to 54,000 full colour still pictures and 30-60 minutes of full motion video on a disc. Laser Disc players can be controlled by computer and can provide random access to any segment on the disc within 1-3 seconds.

LAN
Local area network. A private transmission network that interconnects computers within a building or among buildings for the purpose of sharing voice, data, facsimile, and/or video.

JPEG
Joint Photographic Experts Group. The group that has defined the photographic compression standard that reduces the size of image files by up to 20 times at the cost of slightly reduced quality.

ITFS
Instructional Television Fixed Service. A band of low-power microwave frequencies set aside by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) exclusively for the transmission of educational programming and licensed to public institutions. Receiving sites require a converter capable of changing signals to those used by a standard television set. Voice …

ISDN
Integrated services digital network. A type of digital phone service that provides versatility in terms of switching and data management. Offers major advantages for CODEC conferencing, but not yet widely available.

Internet
The global network of networks that allows the exchange of information among computer users worldwide.

Hypertext
Describes non-linear writing in which the reader follows associative or 'linked' paths through multiple text documents.

Hypermedia
Software that allows the interactive manipulation of text, images, animation, sounds, digitized voice, and video.

GUI
Graphic User Interface. A picture-like control panel or screen (as opposed to a text-based screen), that makes a computer or presentation system easy to use. Amiga, Macintosh, and Windows environments are examples of GUIs.

Groupware
A collaboration of workers or students via networked applications on computer. May include audio, video conferencing and data sharing among a group of individuals using the network at the same time.

Geosynchronous
Also referred to as 'geostationary'

Gopher
Browsing software developed by the University of Minnesota that uses a tiered folder system to locate information worldwide on the Internet.

Full-Motion Video
Unlike compressed video signals (which tend to be blurry), full-motion video refers to high-quality signals, similar to what is received over a television set.

Gateway
A network element (node) that performs conversions between different coding and transmission formats

FTP
File Transfer Protocol. A tool that allows users to transfer files between remote computers.

Footprint
The area of the earth's surface that can receive the signal of a given satellite.

Fibre Optic Cable
The transparent fibres of glass or plastic that are enclosed by material of a lower index of refraction and that transmit light throughout their length by internal reflections. These fibres are bundled into cables and are capable of transmitting very large amounts of digital information (data) in both directions with very little loss in signal qual…

FAX or Facsimile
Electronically delivered paper. Uses one phone line to send text/image. May originate as a scanned paper image, or may be sent from a computer-generated file. Options consist of a fax card in a computer or dedicated machine.

DVD
Digital Versatile Disk. A disk that can be used to store several multimedia formats including video.

Duplex
In a communication channel, the ability to transmit in both directions.

Duplex Video
Two-way video communication capable of simultaneous origination and reception.

Downlink Dish
The electronic facility for receiving signals transmitted by satellite transponders.

Distribution System
Any program that can be received by a satellite antenna and distributed into several viewing areas.

Distance Learning
Delivery of education from one site to another, often using various electronic support processes such as television, computers, multimedia stations and so on.

Distance Education
The organisational framework and process of providing instruction at a distance. Distance education takes place when a teacher and student(s) are physically separated, and technology (i.e. voice, video, data and/or print) is used to bridge the instructional gap.

Digital Transmission
Transmission of discrete signals, (typically the 0s and 1s of computer data), as opposed to a continuously variable signal (analogue transmission).

Dial-Up Service
The ability to make CODEC connections to any site at any time by dialling the phone number. Pay only for usage during call, not a dedicated line.

Desktop Video
The merger of video, telephone, and computer technologies for the purpose of delivering multimedia information and telecommunications capabilities at the individual computer workstation.

Correspondence Course
A distance learning course that relies on more conventional communications methods such as mail and telephone for teacher-learner communication and exchange of instructional materials.

Courseware
Narrowly defined, computer software used in teaching. Broadly defined, refers to any instructional materials that are used to support the learning process.

Compressed Video
A digital transmission technique used to transmit a video channel that requires limited bandwidth but reduces quality. Picture quality is generally not as good as full-motion. Quick motions often appear blurred.

CODEC
Compression/decompression, or coding/decoding. A process through which all information in a moving picture is reduced to its lowest level of digital information, before being transmitted over phone lines to be recombined to create a picture at the other end. Varying quality of picture resolution, motion, and audio is possible depending on compressi…

Channel
A single path of specified bandwidth for transmitting information.

CD-ROM
Compact Disc-Read Only Memory. A record-like storage medium that uses digital and optical laser technology to store about 600 Mb of text, pictures, and sound on a single disc. With newer versions (CD-ROMXA, CDTV, CD-i) animations and moving pictures can be retrieved from the discs. Usually accessed using some type of computer interface, but however…

CD-i
Compact Disc-interactive. A multimedia format that uses digital and optical laser technology to store and display text, video, still, and animated images. Not compatible with the CD-ROM format, CD-i uses a stand-alone player that connects directly to a television set.

Cable Television
A broadband communications technology in which multiple television channels as well as audio and data signals are transmitted either one way or both ways through a direct-by-wire distribution system to single or multiple locations.

Blog
Blog is short for weblog. A weblog is a journal (or newsletter) that is frequently updated and intended for general public consumption. Blogs generally represent the personality of the author or the Web site.

BBS
Bulletin Board Service. A service which allows distant users to connect via personal computer for the purpose of information sharing. The computer uses an auto-answer modem for receiving incoming phone calls, allowing subscribers to read and leave messages, exchange data files, and have live typewritten conversations with other bulletin board users…

Baud Rate
The transmission rate at which data flows between computers. It is synonymous with bits per second (bps).

Bandwidth
The difference between the highest and lowest airwave frequencies that are transmitted over a communications channel.

Audioconference
Audio teleconference. An electronic meeting in which participants in different locations use telephones or specialised audio-conferencing equipment to interactively communicate with each other in real time.

Audio Bridge
A device or system (usually managed) which enables several participants to collaborate in an audio conference using simple telephone handsets.

Asynchronous Communication
A type of two-way communication that occurs with a time delay, allowing participants to respond at their own convenience.

Analogue Transmission
The transmission of a continuously variable signal as opposed to a discrete signal (known as digital transmission). Analogue signals typically take the form of sine waves.