Asynchronous: Communication in which interaction between parties does not take place simultaneously.
Browser: Software that allows you to find and see information on the Internet.
The College Writing Peer Response Project: See http://www.iup.edu/~nickm/peer.htm for a full account of the project.
Compressed Video: When video signals are downsized to allow travel along a smaller carrier.
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.
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.
Download: Using the network to transfer files from one computer to another.
Electronic Mail (E-mail): Sending messages from one computer user to another.
Electronic Teaching Collaborative: See http://gradeng.en.iup.edu/etc/etc.htm for a full account of the project
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.
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.
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.
Internet: An international network of networks primarily used to connect education and research networks begun by the United States government. Internet Protocol (IP): The international standard for addressing and sending data via the Internet.
IRC: Internet Relay Chat. Synchronous, or real-time, computer mediated communication via the Internet.
Listserv: An e-mail program that allows multiple computer users to connect onto a single system, creating an on-line discussion.
Local Area Network (LAN): Two or more local computers that are physically connected.
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.
MOO: MUD, Object Oriented. A text-based multiple user program which allows programmers to integrate pieces of programming from other programs into their own designs.
Multimedia: Any document which uses multiple forms of communication, such as text, audio, and/or video.
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.
Newsgroups: The names for discussion groups on Usenet.
On-Line: Active and prepared for operation. Also suggests access to a computer network.
PPP: A software package which allows a user to have a direct connection to the Internet over a telephone line.
Protocol: A formal set of standards, rules, or formats for exchanging data that assures uniformity between computers and applications.
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.
Synchronous: Communication in which interaction between participants is simultaneous.
Teleconferencing: Two way electronic communication between two or more groups in separate locations via audio, video, and/or computer systems.
Telnet: A method for connecting to a remote computer and using software or accessing information on that computer.
Uniform Resource Locator (URL): The address of a homepage on the WWW.
Usenet: A collection of discussion groups that exchange messages worldwide, via the Internet.
World Wide Web (WWW): A graphical hypertext-based Internet tool that provides access to homepages created by individuals, businesses, and other organizations.
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