Glossary of key terms
used |
ADSL
|
Asynchronous Digital Subscriber Line. A high-speed transmission
system using standard telephone lines. Not available in all areas of NZ
until Telecom upgrades exchanges (see www.telecom.co.nz/jetstream). |
| asynchronous |
Communication where interaction takes place, but not at the same time.
It is accessed when the user has the time and inclination. |
| audio bridge |
An audio bridge connects telephones at remote sites enabling audio conferencing.
|
| audio-conferencing |
The linking of individuals or groups in two or more locations via telephone
(possibly using a Polycom). |
| audio-graphics |
Combination of audio-conferencing and computer-based graphics using the
internet (e.g. NetMeeting) or other specialised software. |
| bandwidth |
The rate at which data can be transmitted across a connection is determined
by bandwidth. The bandwidth of an ISDN line is 64k per second for one channel.
Video-conferencing requires a bandwidth of at least 256k to be reasonably
reliable and fast. |
| bridge |
A device which allows three or more telecommunications channels, such
as phone lines, to connect. |
| broadband |
Describes the wide range of frequencies that can be transmitted and received
through wire or using radio waves. Transferring data over normal phone lines
using a modem is slow, but if the full range of frequencies is available
then data can be transmitted at high speed. The data could be text, video
or sound. |
| Core/base resource |
Resources that are available to distance learners that support a course.
For example, printed material, texts, CD-ROMs, web resources, audio tapes.
|
| cluster coordinator |
A person appointed by the cluster to manage a distance learning programme
within the Learning Community Online. The cluster coordinator has oversight
of the technical and network requirements, is responsible for the co-ordination
and standardisation of documentation and other key communications, and acts
as liaison between all the key players within the cluster (e.g., principals,
technical support, local school mentors, teachers) and outside networks,
institutions, and individuals. |
| discussion board |
An online means of holding discussions, usually asynchronously, but may
be done in real time. Participants type text into a screen and submit it.
The text is then displayed for all participants to respond to in their own
time. |
| distance education |
When students and teachers are physically separated from one another
during instruction and learning periods. |
| distance learning |
The desired outcome of distance education. |
| dynamic IP |
A randomly assigned internet address for a computer, generated upon connecting
to the internet via an ISP (Internet Service Provider). |
| e-teacher |
A teacher who teaches online synchronously, asynchronously, or both. The
teacher may use audio-graphics, video-conferencing, web-based courses, etc.
|
| extranet |
An intranet that is accessible via the internet, usually through the use
of a login ID and password. |
| home school |
School where the distance education teacher is based. |
host
|
A computer that acts as a bridge for other participant sites to join an
audio-graphics session. |
| intranet |
An internal system of structured resources available to users of a network
via a web browser. Usually not accessible to the outside world. |
| ISDN |
Integrated Services Digital Network. Bandwidth using special phone lines
and modems. A standard ISDN has 2 channels, each one 64k. |
| LAN |
Local Area Network. A private network connecting computers and devices
within a site, through the use of cable or wireless technology. |
| listserv |
Also known as a mailing list. An electronic means of sharing email on
a shared interest or topic. People subscribe to a list in order to receive
regular contact via email. |
| local cluster |
A group of schools with a common interest or need who have decided to
work together. |
| modem |
Device allowing the translation of digital data to analogue for the transmission
across standard phone lines. Come in a variety of speeds. Currently 56k
is the highest. |
| point to multipoint |
Link from one site to many sites. point to point Link from one site to
another site. |
| polycom |
A proprietary speaker phone or video phone used for audio or video-conferencing
|
| router |
A device on a network to forward data from computer to computer internally,
and externally. On a network, a router is used instead of a modem for email
and internet requests. |
| site mentor |
Or site supervisor. A person in a distance education site who is responsible
for the day to day needs of the distance learner, and the keeping of records,
etc. The site mentors are the primary conduit of information and feedback
to and from a school to the cluster. The role is required to encourage positive
learning experiences rather than focus solely on the administration/disciplinary
aspects of operating the LCO. Regular feedback and evaluation of student
experience needs to be done, formally and informally, by the people in these
roles, and passed on to the teacher through positive constructive guidance. |
| static IP |
A fixed internet address for a computer. The address is bought from an
ISP (Internet Service Provider, such as Xtra, ihug, Paradise), and has the
advantage of allowing the owner to broadcast or use the address permanently.
|
| student |
A distance education participant. |
| synchronous |
Communication where interaction between participants takes place simultaneously.
An example would be a live video-conference or sharing a digital whiteboard
between sites. |
|
video-conferencing
|
A combination of video and audio for interactive communication between
two or more sites. |