Cowley eLearning Glossary
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Symbols
@: @ is read as “at”. A character used as a separator between account names and dormain names in Internet addresses. For example, joestudent@student.cowley.edu would read “Joe Student at student dot cowley dot edu.”
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Academic Advisor: A staff or faculty member who is tasked with helping students in academic-related matters, such as selecting a major, choosing courses to take, and developing a degree plan or academic curriculum that meets the requirements of a particular department or degree.
Accreditation: The formal recognition of a university, college or postsecondary higher education institution by a regional or national accrediting agency as meeting certain standards or requirements with regards to quality.
Acrobat Reader: A free program distributed by Adobe Systems, Inc., for displaying and printing PDF (Portable Document Format) documents.
Active file:  The data file affected by a current command.
Active window:  The window containing the display or document that will be affected by current cursor movements, commands, and text entry.
Adware: Adware's only purpose is to advertise.  Adware (NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH Ad-a-Ware) causes ad banners to popup on your screen, changes banners on websites, change your Yahoo and Google search results with advertisements instead of your true results and place Windows advertisements on your desktop, start menu, and in your web browser Favorites and Bookmarks. 
Alt Key: A key that is used in conjunction with another key to produce some special feature or function within an application.  Is typically marked on the keyboard with the letters Alt.
Appelet: A tiny program that is embedded in a webpage built in HTML (hyper-text markup language), and which launches when the webpage is loaded. Applets are written in Java and are frequently used in playing videos, animated images, audio, and other features that enhance a person's experience in the page. Unfortunately, applets are often written in ways that require individuals to download programs such as the latest version of Java language that may not be allowed on their computer. Thus, web browsing experiences that rely on applets can be frustrating for individuals who may need to use computers that have firewalls and security.
ASCII: Stands for American Standard Code for Information Exchange.  The code for how computers display numbers and letters.  Plain e-mail text is in ASCII.
Assignment Dropbox: The Assignment Dropbox allows instructors to give assignments, and files.  Students can download the files, complete the assignment, and upload their Assignment files.
Asynchronous Learning:  Students and instructor are not together in real time.  Examples: Instructional Television (ITV) courses, online and portions of blended courses
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Bandwidth:  The amount of data that can be transmitted over a network in a fixed amount of time, measured in kilobits, megabits, or gigabits per second (Kbps, Mbps, or Gbps).
BCC:  Blind carbon copy.  This will copy the message to an individual, but the person the message is sent to will not see that they were copied.
Blended Learning: Blended courses, also know as Online Hybrid, blend traditional classroom instruction with online courses (1/4th classroom and 3/4th online). Students meet on-site for lectures or presentations and complete the rest of their coursework independently using the Internet.
Blog: Short for "web log." A blog is an updatable website that is chronologically arranged, and updated at the user's discretion. What makes a blog different than a regular website is the fact that it can be syndicated so that others can subscribe and have the content delivered to a certain place automatically. Weblogs started out as journals and chronologically arranged websites. However, it is common now for blogs to include audio, video, graphics, and text. It is common for blogs to be available as RSS or Atom feeds.
Bookmarks / Favorites:  A website URL stored for quick retrieval at a later date. Most web browsers have a built-in bookmark function, whereby the browser stores the URL with the page name attached. To return directly to the site, the user picks the page name from the list of saved bookmarks.
Broadband:  Broadband technology can transmit data, audio, and video simultaneously over long distances at high-speed transmission.
Browser:  A software application used to view webpages and navigate the Internet. Most web browsers can display text, graphics, sound, and video; additional plug-ins may be required for some multimedia formats.  Examples: Internet Explorer, Firefox, Netscape, Safari
Bundled Software: Programs included with a computer system as part of a combined hardware/software package.
Byte: The number of bits used to represent a character. For personal computers, a byte is usually eight bits.
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Cable Modem:  A modem that uses cable television's coaxial cables to transmit data at faster speeds than modems using telephone lines. A cable modem is faster than a dial-up connection.
Cc: An email function that allows you to send copies of a message to one or more people other than the main recipient; the term was originally an abbreviation for carbon copy.
CD-ROM:  A computer disk (similar to an audio CD) that can hold more than 600 megabytes of read-only digital information including text, graphics, audio, and video. Supplemental CD-ROMs accompany many eLearning course textbooks.
Chat: Online communication that occurs synchronously, that is, in real time.  Usually chat conversations are conducted with typed text, but some employ audio or video.
Chat Room:  Online space where participants have simultaneous discussions by typing messages on computer monitor that appear on all chat room participants' monitors.
CLEP: Abbreviation for "College Level Examination Program." CLEP refers to a series of tests offered by the College Board that allow students to demonstrate college-level proficiency in a specific subject area, for which over 2,900 postsecondary institutions offer college credit, thereby reducing costs and time to degree completion. CLEP tests, priced at $60 each, are offered in areas such as business, science and mathematics, history and social sciences, foreign languages, and composition and literature. These examinations are founded upon the belief that learning can and does occur outside of a classroom. 
Clip art: A selection of graphic objects that can be inserted selected applications. 
Cohort: A cohort is a group of students that move together through an educational program. Cohorts allow a small number of learners, usually starting courses at the same time, to take a group of core classes over a period of time. However, students in a cohort may not necessarily progress through the program at the same rate or graduate at the same time. Cohorts can be very beneficial, because students can get to know each other really well and provide a supportive learning environment for each other. 
Cookie:  A piece of information stored by a website on a user's computer. Cookies are used to track data about the user, including user preferences and passwords. Most web browsers will allow the user to disable cookies; however, some websites block users who will not accept a cookie file.
Course Management System: Also shortened to "CMS." The software, usually web-based, used by colleges and universities, as well as corporations and government, that facilitates distance learning by centralizing the development, management, and distribution of instructional-related information and materials. A CMS provides faculty with a set of tools that allows the easy creation of course content - syllabi, course modules, lecture notes, assignments, tests and quizzes, etc. - and is the framework in which they teach and manage the class. To an online student, a CMS is simply the vehicle by which you, the instructor, and your fellow learners interact using asynchronous discussion boards and live chat tools; access course information and materials, submit assignments, check your grades, etc.
Course Notes:  Each Cowley Distance Learning course is listed in the online Course Schedule with detailed information including instructor name, class meeting dates (if applicable), Internet requirements, computer hardware or software requirements, etc..
Course Number:  Identifying number consisting of the department (e.g., MTH = Math) followed by a four-digit course number (e.g., 4420).
Ctrl: Used to label the Control key on computer keyboards.
Cursor: An on-screen indicator, such as a blinking underline or rectangle, that marks the place at which a keystroke will appear when typed.  When a mouse is used, the cursor is the arrow or other on-screen icon that moves with the mouse.
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Delivery Mode:  The primary method or technology used to deliver instructional information to the student and used for communication between the instructor and the students. Cowley College offers Online, Online Hybrid, Video Hybrid, Online Continuing Education, and IDL (Interactive Distance Learning.)
Dial-Up Connection:  A connection to an online system or Internet Service Provider made by dialing via a modem over a telephone line. A dial-up connection is slower than a cable modem.
Discussion Board / Forum:  A discussion board is a tool that allows groups to communicate online. A discussion board consists of "threads" and "messages." A thread is a series of messages on a particular topic, and each message is an individual contribution to a conversation. When a forum is first accessed, a page appears which lists all the different threads in the forum. Participants can reply to threads that have already been posted or post new threads in the forum.
Distance Learning: Distance learning, also called eLearning, is a formalized teaching and learning system specifically designed to be carried out remotely by using electronic communication.
Download:  To transfer or copy a file to a user's computer from another connected individual computer, a computer network, a commercial online service, or the Internet.
DSL / Digital Subscriber Line:  A type of high-speed broadband Internet connection that transmits data over regular copper telephone wires. DSL allows voice and high speed data to be sent simultaneously over the same line, so Internet and telephone services can be used at the same time. Maximum data transfer rates are generally 384 Kbps for downloads and 128 Kbps for uploads.
DVD: An optical disc technology. DVDs can be single- or double-sided, and can have two layers on each side; a double-sided, two-layered DVD will hold up to 17 gigabytes of video, audio, or other information.
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eLearning: eLearning provides Cowley students with a flexible, convenient way to earn college credit. eLearning can include any learning that uses electronic technologies such as computer- and Internet-based courseware and local and wide area networks for the distribution and acquisition of knowledge and skills. eLearning can be instructor-led or computer-based or a combination. Cowley College has a diverse offering for eLearning, including: Online, Online Hybrid, Video Hybrid, Online Continuing Education, and Interactive Television (ITV).
eLearning Course Orientation:  A mandatory eLearning Course Orientation is required for each eLearning class taken during the semester. It is the eLearning course's first day of class, where the instructor is introduced, students receive course materials (syllabus, assignment and testing schedules, ITV viewing schedule, etc.), and course requirements are explained. Course Orientations may be on site or online; students should check the section's Course Note in the Course Schedule for detailed information on each Course Orientation. 
Email Address:  An address or electronic mailbox enabling the user to send and/or receive messages online. The standard format is username@domain name.  Example: LastNameF123456@students.cowley.edu
Ethernet: The most common technology used in local area networks.
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F2F: Face-to-Face - Also shortened to "F2F." A term used to describe a "traditional" classroom environment where the instructor and students are not separated by geographic distance or time.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions.  A list of common questions and answers.
Firewall:  A combination of hardware and software technologies used on a network that gives the user access to the Internet while limiting the risk of an attack from outside the network, retaining internal network security. There are several types of firewalls including packet filter, circuit gateway, application gateway, or trusted gateway.
FTP / File Transfer Protocol:  A method allowing users to connect to a remote computer and transfer files available to the public to their own computer hard disk.
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GIF: Graphic Interchange Format.  A common type of graphics format on the Web.
Gigabyte (G): A unit of measurement equal to 1.024 megabytes or 1,073,741,824 bytes.
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Hard Copy: A printed version of a file or data
Hardware:  The mechanical, electrical, and electronic components of a computer system.  Examples: keyboard, monitor, sound card
Home Page:  The first page of a website introducing or identifying the site and providing additional links to other pages within the site.
HTML / Hypertext Mark-up Language:  A computer language often used when writing webpages.
HTTP: Abbreviation for "HyperText Transfer Protocol." An Internet protocol that is used by a web server and a web browser to transfer data (such as text, images, sound, video, and other multimedia files) between them. When you enter a URL in your web browser, this actually sends an HTTP command to the Web server directing it to fetch and transmit the requested web page.
Hybrid Course ( also known as Blended courses):  Hybrid(blended) courses blend traditional classroom instruction with online distance education (1/4th classroom and 3/4th online). Students meet in classrooms for lectures or presentations and complete the rest of their coursework independently using the Internet.
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Icon: An icon is an image (often with accompanying text) that represents a tool or resource that can be used, such as the assignment drop box, syllabus, etc.  An icon in a course may contain additional icons.
Import: The ability of one program to receive data exported from another.
Internet (the Net):  A worldwide network connecting millions of computers. This network allows information to be shared in the form of email, websites, computer files, and streaming audio and video. It was created in 1969 by the US government to facilitate research at colleges and universities.
Instant Messaging (IM):  A form of electronic communication that involves real-time correspondence between two or more users who are all online simultaneously. An instant messaging program sends messages from one computer to another by means of small pop-up windows.
IP/Internet Protocol: The Internet Protocol (IP) is the method or protocol by which data is sent from one computer to another on the Internet. Each computer (known as a host) on the Internet has at least one IP address that uniquely identifies it from all other computers on the Internet.
ISDN / Integrated Services Digital Network:  A telecommunications standard that uses digital transmission technology to support voice, video, and data communications applications over regular copper telephone lines, resulting in better quality and higher speeds (up to 128Kbps) than available with analog systems. Slower than DSL.
ISP / Internet Server Provider:  A company that connects a user's computer to the Internet. The provider company may charge two ways: unlimited connection time for a flat fee, or a flat fee charge for a set number of hours with an additional charge for hours above that amount.
IDL / Interactive Distance Learning Course:  IDL is a term that is interchangeable with ITV.
IDL courses can consist of up to four sites linked together via video conferencing technology. 
ITV- Interactive Television Course:  Cowley offers a wide variety of courses year round in the ITV classrooms to assist eCowley students achieve their educational goals.  ITV courses can consist of up to four sites linked together via video conferencing technology.
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LAN /Local Area Network:  A small network connecting computers and/or devices in a limited geographic area.
Learning Styles: Information about learning styles is helpful for everyone but especially helpful for people taking Distance Learning courses. Knowing your learning style will help you come to a better understanding of yourself as a learner by highlighting the ways you prefer to learn or process information. It is hoped that by doing so you be able to develop strategies which will enhance your learning potential.
Listserv:  An email-based mailing list software program for subscribing members. Individuals send email to the listserv email address, and all members on the distribution list receive the message.
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Macro: A set of keystrokes and instructions recorded and saved under a macro name to save time by replacing often-used, but lengthy, series of keystrokes with a shorter version that carry out the full instructions of the macro.
Megabyte (MB): A unit of measurement equal to 1,024 kilobytes ro 1,048,576 bytes
Modem:  A device that enables computers to interact with each other via telephone lines by converting digital signals to analog for transmitting and back to digital for receiving.
MSWord (not Works): Microsoft Word is a word processing application from Microsoft.  Although MS Works also has a word processing component, it IS NOT the same as MSWord.
MyDropbox: MyDropbox is a powerful plagiarism prevention system designed to locate even masked plagiarism in academic works.
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Netiquette (Internet Etiquette):  Online manners and rules of conduct for Internet users. One of the primary rules of netiquette is not typing messages in all uppercase letters, which is considered the equivalent of shouting.
Network: Two or more connected, individually controlled, computers that communicate with one another.
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Online Help Desk:  A student service provided by the Computer Services Department at Cowley that allows students to call 554.2700 or 442.0430 (toll-free: 800.593.2222), or at http://helpdesk.cowley.edu   for assistance with any questions they may have about distance education at Cowley. If Online Help Desk staff members do not have the information needed, they will refer the student to the appropriate Cowley office. 
Operating System:  Software that allows applications (word processors, spreadsheets, etc.) to run on a computer.  Examples: Microsoft Windows, Apple Macintosh OS (Mac OS)
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Password:  A secret combination of characters used in computing to control access and thus to ensure privacy and data security.
PDF / Portable Document Format:  A file format developed by Adobe Systems to enable users of any hardware or software platform to view documents exactly as they were created, with fonts, images, links, and layouts as they were originally designed. PDF documents require the free Adobe Reader software program to display.
Peripheral device: A device connected to a computer and controlled by the computer’s microprocessor, like a disk drive, printer, scanner, or modem.
Plagarize/Plagarism: Plagarism means to pass off the work of another as your own.   Plagarism is considered a violation of the academic code of conduct and are subject to disciplinary action.
Platform: A platform is a computing framework used to deliver computer-based services and applications
Plug-Ins:  A program that adds a specific feature to a user's browser so it is able to play/view certain files.  Examples: Flash, Shockwave
Podcast: Podcast is a combination of the words “broadcasting” and “iPod” that can automatically download audio broadcasts to MP3 players
Pop-up blocker: Any program that is designed to prevent "pop-up" ads from appearing while you browse the internet can cause problems in WebCT. The reason for this is that many of these "pop-up" ads use the web programming language Java. Unfortunately, several of the features in WebCT use Java as well. Therefore, if you have one of these programs installed you will have difficulty using the features in WebCT such as quizzes, discussion postings, chat, whiteboard and download links, etc.
Post: To contribute a message to an electronic bulletin board: more generally, to place any message or document on a web site.
Protocol: A standard computers use to communicate with one another.
Proctor:  A designated person who supervises the taking of an examination. Students may be required to find a proctor at an official testing center or other approved institution to facilitate testing requirements.
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RTF: Rich Text Format (RTF) is a file format that lets you exchange text files between different word processors in different operating systems.
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SAM: SAM 2003 is the program that you will be using to take your tests (both chapter tests and final exam) for computer courses such as CAP 1516. It is important that you have purchased the SAM software. If you have not, you will need to go to the Bookstore and purchase the materials specific to this course.
SAR: SAR stands for Student Academic Report.  These reports may be sent to you periodically throughout the semester to keep you informed of your progress in your course(s).  SARS are accessible from your student e-mail account and on Campus Connect.
Search Engine:  A web-based software program that allows users to search the Internet using keywords to find specific information, documents, or web pages.  Examples: Google, Yahoo! Search, Ask.com
Server:  A central computer that stores collections of data and programs used for connecting PCs and/or other devices linked to a network.
Shareware:  Software programs you can download and try without paying for it first.  If you decide to keep it you are usually expected to send the makers a small registration fee.
Snail mail: An internet term for mail sent through the Post Office because it is so slow compared to e-mail.
Software:  Programs that run on a computer.
Spam:  Unsolicited email, often advertising or chain letters, etc.
Spyware: Programs that hide on your computer and do a number of harmful and annoying things without your knowledge.  These programs steal information from your computer such as credit card numbers, email addresses, addresses, surfing habits, and more.  Spyware has been known to cause issues for students accessing WebCT.
Streaming Media:  Video or audio transmitted over a network that users can begin to play immediately. Rather than having to wait for a large multimedia file to download all at once, streaming allows the user to see and hear that file as it is being downloaded to the user's computer. Typically a few seconds of data is sent ahead and buffered in case of network transmission delays.  Examples: RealMedia, QuickTime, Windows Media
Streaming Video: Video sent in compressed form over the Internet that you view as it is being received, rather than waiting until for the entire file to be downloaded first. There may be two versions available: a dial-up version is usually a smaller file, with a smaller video screen and a slower frame rate, for 56k dial-up users and a high-speed version, a larger file with higher quality image, is designed for users with faster broadband Internet connections.
Syllabus:  A course guide providing required course readings, instructional calendar (testing schedule, assignment dates, school holidays, etc.), instructor contact information, grading parameters, description of student services offered college-wide or specifically by Distance Learning.
Synchronous Learning:  The student and instructor are together in "real time." Synchronous learning can include such options as interactive video conferences.  
System Requirements:  The technological components required to run a software application, such as the operating system, hardware configuration, bandwidth, and processing power. Often two sets of system requirements are given for an item of software: a minimum set of requirements (which must be satisfied for the software to be usable at all) and a recommended set of requirements (for maximum performance).
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T1 Line:  A traditional trunk line that carries 24 regular telephone circuits and has a transmission rate of 1.5 Kbps. T1 lines are often used by corporate, government, and academic institutions.
TeleLearning courses (Video Hybrid):  A type of distance education course consisting of video programs viewed by the student, usually on television, as the primary means of delivering instruction TeleLearning courses are conducted using pre-recorded video programs, which are often supplemented by a textbook or study guide. Students may view TeleLearning programs in a variety of ways.  Videotapes of TeleLearning programs are also available to be viewed on campus, and most video programs can be rented for the semester from a TeleLearning distribution company not affiliated with Cowley. All TeleLearning courses may have supplemental activities; the Course Schedule will indicate when Internet access is mandatory. Students should complete the mandatory Distance Learning Course Orientation for specific details about how the class is conducted.
Threaded discussion: A common feature of distance learning that allows students to interact with their classmates and instructor. A threaded discussion is a series of messages on a particular topic posted in a discussion forum. A threaded discussion is asynchronous, not fixed in time or space, so students can log on at any time from any Internet-enabled computer to seek clarification for issues they encounter in their coursework, to discuss topics raised in class, or to initiate new discussions on related topics. A good online discussion has the same effect of group or in-class discussion, in which students build on one another's perspectives to gain a deeper understanding of the materials.
Title bar: the colored bar that appears at the top of the application, window, dialog box or Info Box, it can be dragged to move the box or window to another area of the screen.
Toolbar: A bar containing a row of buttons that perform routine tasks quickly.  These tasks can usually be performed with a pull-down menu or keystrokes as well.
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URL / Universal Resource Locator:  The electronic address of a website. It begins with "http://www" or just "www." There are three basic parts to the address: a) "www" followed by a period; b) the organization's second-level domain name followed by a period; and c) the purpose of the organization or first level domain.  Examples: http://www.cowley.edu or www.cowley.edu.
Underground: The Underground serve as the primary academic support center for Cowley College and is designed to promote and enhance academic enrichment.  Services offered include: computer labs with internet access, free tutoring services, proctored testing, make-up testing, and placement testing.  The Underground is located at the main campus in Arkansas City.
Upload: To transfer a file from your computer to a remote computer; the reverse of download.
User ID:  A name or nickname that identifies the user of a computer system or network.
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Videocast:  A video version of podcasting allowing individuals to create video content that can be accessed on demand.
Video Conferencing:  Two-way electronic communication between two or more groups in separate locations via audio, video, and/or computer.
Virtual classroom: Any online area in which instructors and students ’meet’ via their computer connections, for course activities.
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Web Cam: A Webcam is a video camera, usually attached directly to a computer, whose current or latest image is requestable from a Web site. A live cam is one that is continually providing new images that are transmitted in rapid succession or, in some cases, in streaming video.
Whiteboard: The electronic equivalent of a blackboard and chalk on a computer screen that allows multiple, remote users to add text, create drawings or diagrams in a shared electronic workspace that is visible to all participants. Whiteboards are a common feature of distance learning course management software systems because it can be
Word wrap: Allow the text in a document to automatically follow to the next line when it reaches the margin – no carriage return is required as on a typewriter.
WWW / World Wide Web:  Files from millions of computers connected by the Internet making it possible for the user to see and hear multimedia on their computer.
WYSIWYG: An acronym for What You See IS What You Get; which allow the user to view a document as it will appear when printed, and to directly edit the text, graphics, or other elements within that view.
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Zip File:  A file that has been compressed, or reduced in size, to save storage space and allow faster transferring across a network over the Internet. To read the information, the file must be uncompressed into its original form.