Definitions and Related Terms for Distance Education
Analog: A signal that is received in the same form in which it is transmitted, while the amplitude and frequency may vary.
Amplitude: The amount of variety in a signal. Commonly thought of as the height of a wave. American Standard Code for Information Interexchange (ASCII): A computer language used to convert letters, numbers, and control codes into a digital code understood by most computers.
Ascii text - A type of text file display generated by a computer system that resembles simple readable English letters without special formatting.
Asynchronous: Communication in which interaction between parties does not take place simultaneously.
Asynchronous Transmission Mode (ATM): A method of sending data in irregular time intervals using a code such as ASCII. ATM allows most modern computers to communicate with one another easily.
Audio Bridge: A device used in audioconferencing that connects multiple telephone lines. Audioconferencing: Voice only connection of more than two sites using standard telephone lines.
Backbone: A primary communication path connecting multiple users.
Band: A range of frequencies between defined upper and lower limits.
Bandwidth: Information carrying capacity of a communication channel.
Binary: A computer language developed with only two letters in its alphabet.
Bit: Abbreviation for a single binary digit.
Byte: A single computer word, generally eight bits.
Browser: Software that allows you to find and see information on the Internet such as Netscape Navigator or Internet Explorer, which can read and display the media/graphic content of the World Wide Web.
Central Processing Unit (CPU): The component of a computer in which data processing takes place.
Channel: The smallest subdivision of a circuit, usually with a path in only one direction.
Codec (COder/DECoder): Device used to convert analog signals to digital signals for transmission and reconvert signals upon reception at the remote site while allowing for the signal to be compressed for less expensive transmission.
Compressed Video: When video signals are downsized to allow travel along a smaller carrier.
Compression: Reducing the amount of visual information sent in a signal by only transmitting changes in action.
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.
Cyberspace: The nebulous “place” where humans interact over computer networks. Coined by William Gibson in Neuromancer.
Desktop Videoconferencing: Videoconferencing on a personal computer.
Dial-Up Teleconference: Using public telephone lines for communications links among various locations.
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.
Digital Video Interactive (DVI): A format for recording digital video onto compact disc allowing for compression and full motion video.
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.
Distance Learning: The desired outcome of distance education.
Download: Using the network to transfer files from one computer to another.
Electronic Mail (E-mail): Sending messages from one computer user to another.
Facsimile (FAX): System used to transmit textual or graphical images over standard telephone lines.
Fiber Optic Cable: Glass fiber that is used for laser transmission of video, audio, and/or data.
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.
Frequency: The space between waves in a signal. The amount of time between waves passing a stationary point.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ): A collection of information on the basics of any given subject, often used on the WWW.
Home Page: A document with an address (URL) on the world wide web maintained by a person or organization which contains pointers to other pieces of information.
Host: A network computer that can receive information from other computers.
Hybrid Course - Combines Internet work and campus attendance with 51% or more of the course taught on campus.
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.
Hypertext: A document which has been marked up to allow a user to select words or pictures within the document, click on them, and connect to further information.
Instructional Television Fixed Service (ITFS): Microwave-based, high-frequency television used in educational program delivery.
Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN): A telecommunications standard allowing communications channels to carry voice, video, and data simultaneously.
Interactive Media: Frequency assignment that allows for a two-way interaction or exchange of information.
Internet or the Net - A giant world wide computer network which started as a system of military and research computers interconnected for sharing of information, but now consists of many thousands of civilian computers sharing and communicating in a wide area system which is accessible by millions of home computer users through special access subscriptions.
Listserv: An e-mail program that allows multiple computer users to connect onto a single system, creating an online discussion.
Local Area Network (LAN): Two or more local computers that are physically connected.
Microwave: Electromagnetic waves that travel in a straight line and are used to and from satellites and for short distances (i.e., up to 30 miles).
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.
Multimedia: Any document which uses multiple forms of communication, such as text, audio, and/or video.
Multi-Point Control Unit (MCU): Computerized switching system which allows point-to-multipoint videoconferencing.
Netscape: An example of browser software that allows you to design a home page and to browse links on the WWW.
Network: A series of points connected by communication channels in different locations.
NTSC - National Television Standards Committee The agreed upon compromise standard, developed in the 1950s which governs the technical parameters of television transmission and quality in the United States.
Online Courses – Courses delivered entirely or mostly online. Students interested in this format should have access to a computer that meets system requirements, be comfortable navigating the Internet, and be prepared to attend mandatory on-campus meetings for course orientation and/or exams. Students complete coursework using technology such as e-mail, multimedia, voice mail, chat rooms, message boards, and listservs.
Online Education - Delivery of educational content using a computer based delivery model through some combination of local or wide-area computer networks, often utilizing the Internet or World Wide Web.
Point of Presence (POP): Point of connection between an interexchange carrier and a local carrier to pass communications into the network.
Point-to-Point: Transmission between two locations.
Protocol: A formal set of standards, rules, or formats for exchanging data that assures uniformity between computers and applications.
Satellite TV: Video and audio signals are relayed via a communication device that orbits around the earth.
Serial Line Internet Protocol (SLIP): Allows a user to connect to the Internet directly over a high speed modem.
Server: A computer with a special service function on a network, generally receiving and connecting incoming information traffic.
Slow Scan Converter: Transmitter/receiver of still video over narrow band channels. In real time, camera subjects must remain still for highest resolution.
Streaming - A way of compressing video files so that they may be sent in a continuous "stream" for on-demand viewing over the internet rather than as a complete file which may require a long period to download.
Synchronous: Communication in which interaction between participants is simultaneous.
T-1 (DS-1): High speed digital data channel that is a high volume carrier of voice and/or data. Often used for compressed video teleconferencing. T-1 has 24 voice channels.
T-3 (DS-3): A digital channel which communicates at a significantly faster rate than T-1.
Telecourse - A course of programmed instruction featuring integrated media materials typically including video lessons, text materials, student handbooks, study guides, quizzes and tests, and some degree of instructor-student interaction. Professionally produced, these series budgets often exceed one million dollars.
Telecommunication: The science of information transport using wire, radio, optical, or electromagnetic channels to transmit receive signals for voice or data communications using electrical means.
Teleconferencing: Two way electronic communication between two or more groups in separate locations via audio, video, and/or computer systems.
TeleWeb courses are taught through the use of cable television broadcasts and online technologies.
Transmission Control Protocol (TCP): A protocol which makes sure that packets of data are shipped and received in the intended order.
Transponder: Satellite transmitter and receiver that receives and amplifies a signal prior to re-transmission to an earth station.
Uniform Resource Locator (URL): The address of a homepage on the WWW.
Universal Design: Instruction designed to be useful to and accessible by people with diverse abilities. Provide the same means of use for all students; identical whenever possible, equivalent when not.
Uplink: The communication link from the transmitting earth station to the satellite.
Video Teleconferencing: A teleconference including two way video.
World Wide Web (WWW): A graphical hypertext-based Internet tool that provides access to homepages created by individuals, businesses, and other organizations.