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Glossary

Almanac: a tool to navigate the electronic information highway, text only.

Applications to distance learning: using computers and technology to teach students in a location separate from instructors.

Browsers: a software designed to navigate in world wide web.

Bulletin board: an electronic bulletin board is a place where messages are stored and anyone may browse the messages. These are often called NEWS GROUPS.

CD-Rom: a high density storage medium on which electronic data is etched and read by a laser beam.

Computer conferencing: emulates face-to-face conference where many people meet to discuss an issues of common concerns. Participants can generally contribute their comments at their own convenience.

Computer-mediated communications: when a computer is used as a go-between between a teacher and student; between a health care giver and the patient.

Computer-text-on-screen: text, similar to that found in a text book, is programmed into a computer file and shown on a computer screen.

Cyberspace: a popular term referring to world wide web (WWW).

Desktop publishing: publishing by means of a personal computer. It synthesises the capabilities of typesetting, graphic design; book production and platemaking in one integrated, cost effective hardware and software station.

Electronic mail (e-mail): is electronic mail; a document sent from one individual to another via an electronic delivery service.

FIDONET: a network of more than 15,000 individual computerized bulletin boards.

Floppy disks: a magnetic storage medium.

Global information highway: electronic access to global information.

Gopher: a tool to navigate the electronic information highway, text only.

Interactive television (ITV): television that provides at least one-way video and two-way audio; may use two-way audio and two-way video allowing everyone to feel like they are in the same room.

Internet: a system of interconnected computer networks. It provides access to computers, electronic mail, bulletin boards, databases and discussion groups.

Kiosk: a computer housed in a box.

Laser disk: a large phonograph size record that has images, video, sound and other impressions permanently pressed into its service. It is played on a laser disk player.

Linkage applications: computer software applications that require a link by telephone or other communication tool.

Listserv: an electronic discussion group organised around a common interest or topic. To become a member of a Listserv one sends an e-mail message to the List owner or List management software.

Mosaic: a software for navigating the world wide web.

Multimedia: definitions vary but the term has come to represent fully integrated components which include sound and/or music, full motion video, interactions with the user, non-linear navigation and more. Some educators define multimedia as text, graphics and animations on computer screens, perhaps complemented by audio. A light hearted definition is any media that have more than three plugs into an electrical source.

Netscape: a software to navigate the world wide web.

On-line applications: programmes that run with connection to networks, modems, satellite, or other electronic communication technology (e.g. e-mail).

Quick-time-movies: a phrase for incorporating video into computer programmes.

Satellite media tour: an interviewee is placed in a studio with a satellite connection that allows two-way audio and two-way video with interviewers in other locations.

Stand-alone applications: computer software that require no more than the computer and perhaps some peripherals like a laser disk player and/or a CD-ROM drive.

Telemedicine: use of telecommunication technologies to deliver medical information and services to locations at a distance from the care giver or educator.

Touch-screen computer system: a computer with a monitor that responds to the touch of the finger on a screen rather than use of keyboard or mouse.

World Wide Web (WWW): a tool for working with collections of data or databases around the world.


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