asynchronous
Occurring at different times; for example, electronic bulletin boards are said to be an asynchronous form of communication because messages are typically posted at one time and read at another.

bookmark
A feature of a web browser that allows you to record URLs of web sites so that you can easily return to those sites at a later time.

browser
See web browser.

bulletin board
See electronic bulletin board.

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.

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
The online area where a chat is held. Typically, it consists of a window where messages are displayed, as well as a message box where each individual can type in a response.

conference area
See electronic bulletin board.

course management system
A software program that contains a number of integrated instructional functions; also known as integrated application software, online delivery system, educational delivery application, or online tool suite.

dial-up access
Access to a network or to the Internet by modem through a regular telephone line.

discussion board
See electronic bulletin board.

distance education
Any form of learning that does not involve the traditional classroom setting in which student and instructor are in the same location at the same time. Examples range from correspondence courses to videoconferencing to online classes.

download
To retrieve a file from a remote computer and save it on your own computer.

educational delivery application
See course management system.

electronic bulletin board
A software program that permits you to "post" messages online (much as you would post a message on a corkboard with a tack) and allows others to reply to your posting with one of their own; also known as a discussion board, forum, conference area, or threaded discussion area.

Ethernet
The most common technology for local area networks, usually relying on coaxial cables or special "twisted-pair" wires.

fair use
The allowable use or reproduction of material without specific permission from the owner. Although copyright law itself outlines the extent of fair use, various rules and guidelines have extended the definition for educators.

FAQ
Acronym for "frequently asked questions"; typically an online list of common questions and their answers.

forum
See electronic bulletin board.

freeware
Software available free of charge.

GIF
Graphics Interchange Format, a compression format useful for graphics files with a limited number of colors.

home page
The principal or initial screen display of a particular web site; the main entry point for that site.

HTML
Short for Hypertext Markup Language, a coded language that defines the format of onscreen text or graphics through a series of descriptive tags.

hybrid
A course that combines both online and face-to-face components; also known as "blended."

hyperlink
An element on a web page (typically an image, icon, or highlighted word or phrase) that makes something happen when you "click" on it with the mouse. Typically, it takes you to another web page, but it can also cause a digital movie or audio file to play. Also known simply as a link.

integrated application software
See course management system.

ISP
Internet service provider; that is, an organization that provides the user with access to the Internet.

JavaScript
A program that works with HTML to make web pages interactive.

JPEG
A compression format useful for photographs; the acronym stands for Joint Photographic Experts Group.

link
See hyperlink.

listserv
See mailing list.

local area network (LAN)
A network made up of interconnected computers in a relatively small geographic area, ranging from a single office or lab to a campus.

mailing list (listserv)
An online discussion group, administered by a software program, in which each message is sent to a common e-mail address, which then forwards the message to all members of the list.

modem
A device that converts information sent over a telephone line into a form that a computer can understand and, conversely, converts computer data into a form that can be sent to another computer via a telephone line.

multimedia
A combination of two or more different communication media, such as text, graphics, audio, animation, and video.

online delivery partner
A private business set up to assist institutions or businesses in delivering courses online.

online delivery system
See course management system.

online tool suite
See course management system.

operating system
The software that controls a computer and allows it to perform its most basic functions.

PDF
Acronym for Portable Document Format, an electronic file format designed to be readable by different operating systems. A PDF document can be created with Adobe Acrobat software and viewed with the free Adobe Acrobat Reader.

plug-in
An application that supplements a web browser, automatically activating itself when it is needed.

post
To contribute a message to an electronic bulletin board; more generally, to place any message or document on a web site.

scanning
Using a device that will convert hard-copy materials (text, graphics, or slides) into a format a computer can read.

server
See web server.

shareware
Software available for a free trial period, with the stipulation that a fee (usually small) be paid if use continues beyond that period.

streaming media
Audio or video files that are sent in a continuous stream from a source computer (usually via a web site) to a receiving computer. Using a "player" software program, the recipient can hear or view the content in real time.

synchronous
Occurring simultaneously. For instance, a synchronous online discussion is one in which users can communicate immediately; examples include online chats and Internet telephone calls.

thread
An ordered row of online comments on a particular topic; a number of threads in a single bulletin board area constitute a threaded discussion. See also electronic bulletin board.

threaded discussion area
See electronic bulletin board.

upload
To transfer a file from your computer to a remote computer; the reverse of download.

URL
Short for Uniform Resource Locator, the address for a site on the Internet. An address such as http://www.ucla.edu/ is a URL.

virtual classroom
Any online area in which instructors and students "meet," via their computer connections, for course activities.

Web
See World Wide Web.

web browser
A software program that permits you to view and interact with material on the World Wide Web. The two most popular browsers are Netscape Communicator and Internet Explorer.

webmaster
Person who administers and maintains a web server; usually a programmer.

web server
Software that "serves" out, or disseminates, web pages across the Internet; also may refer to the computer on which this software has been installed.

web site
The "place" on the World Wide Web where online teaching and learning generally take place. A site typically includes a series of pages (a "page" is equal to a screenful of information) containing text, images, and hyperlinks to other web pages.

whiteboard
The online equivalent of a chalkboard, on which one or more users can write or draw.

World Wide Web
A vast network of Internet locations that share common protocols, allowing displays of text and multimedia as well as hyperlinks between one site and another.

WYSIWYG
An acronym for "what you see is what you get," referring to screen displays that match the appearance of the eventual product; for instance, Netscape Composer is a WYSIWYG web page editor that allows you to create an HTML page without using the actual HTML coded tags.

Zip disk
A portable hard disk that allows you to store and retrieve files.