GLOSSARY FOR DISTANCE EDUCATION
Adobe PDF: Portable document file that requires the use of Adobe Reader to view. Many on-line documents are in this format.
Asynchronous: Communication in which interaction between parties does not take place simultaneously.
Bandwidth: Information carrying capacity of a communication channel.
Bluetooth wireless technology: A technology specification for linking portable computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs) and mobile phones for short-range transmission of voice and data across a global radio frequency band without the need for cables or wires.
Browser: Software that allows you to find and see information on the Internet.
Computer Assisted Instruction (CAI): Teaching process in which a computer is utilized to enhance the learning environment by assisting students in gaining mastery over a specific skill.
DDN: Digital Dakota Network.
Desktop Videoconferencing: Videoconferencing on a personal computer.
Digital: An electrical signal that varies in discrete steps in voltage, frequency, amplitude, locations, etc.. Digital signals can be transmitted faster and more accurately than analog signals.
Distance Education: The process of providing instruction when students and instructors are separated by physical distance and technology, often in tandem with face-to-face communication, is used to bridge the gap.
Download: Using the network to transfer files from one computer to another.
Electronic Mail (E-mail): Sending messages from one computer user to another.
Face-to-Face: Videoconferencing conducted when both parties make use of two-way interactive television.
File Transfer Protocol (FTP): A protocol that allows you to move files from a distant computer to a local computer using a network like the Internet.
Firewall: A system that secures a network and prevents access by unauthorized users. Firewalls can be software, hardware or a combination of both. Firewalls can prevent unrestricted access into a network, as well as restrict data from flowing out of a network.
Host: A network computer that can receive information from other computers.
Hyper Text Markup Language (HTML): The code used to create a home page and is used to access documents over the WWW.
Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP): The protocol used to signify an Internet site is a WWW site, i.e. HTTP is a WWW address.
Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN): A telecommunications standard allowing communications channels to carry voice, video, and data simultaneously.
IP Videoconferencing: A video conference (with video and sound) involving two or more computers where the data.
Local Area Network (LAN): Two or more local computers that are physically connected.
Modem: A piece of equipment to allow computers to interact with each other via telephone lines by converting digital signals to analog for transmission along analog lines.
Network: A series of points connected by communication channels in different locations.
Point-to-Point: Transmission between two locations.
Point-to-Multipoint: Transmission between multiple locations using a bridge.
Server: A computer with a special service function on a network, generally receiving and connecting incoming information traffic.
Streaming Media: Audio and video that are transmitted on the Internet in a continuous fashion, using data packets.
Synchronous: Communication in which interaction between participants is simultaneous.
Teleconferencing: Two way electronic communication between two or more groups in separate locations via audio, video, and/or computer systems.
Transmission Control Protocol (TCP): A protocol which makes sure that packets of data are shipped and received in the intended order.
Video Teleconferencing: A teleconference including two way video.
Uniform Resource Locator (URL): The address of a homepage on the WWW.
VoIP: Voice transmission using Internet Protocol to create digital packets distributed over the Internet. VoIP can be less expensive than voice transmission using standard analog packets over POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service).
WebAdvisor: The internet program that South Dakota public universities use to register for classes.
WebCT: An internet-based course authoring program that allows students to take quizzes, turn in homework, chat with students/teacher and send messages to fellow classmates all over the Internet.
WEP: Basic wireless security provided by Wi-Fi. In some instances, WEP may be all a home or small-business user needs to protect wireless data. WEP is available in 40-bit (also called 64-bit), or in 108-bit (also called 128-bit) encryption modes.
Wi-Fi: An interoperability certification for wireless local area network (LAN) products based on the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 standard.
World Wide Web (WWW): A graphical hypertext-based Internet tool that provides access to homepages created by individuals, businesses, and other organizations.