Glossary

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A

Academic Calendar: Official dates approved by the University of Connecticut for each semester; includes beginning and ending dates for each term, holidays, and exam weeks.

Accommodation: Modification made to a course to allow a student with an identified disability to participate in all course activities.

Add/Drop Dates: Last day to enroll or remove yourself from an online course as indicated on the University's academic calendar. Penalties are associated with missing these dates (financial and/or academic).

Adobe Reader: Application used to view documents that have been created in portable document format (PDF). Free downloadable versions are available.

Announcements: Course Tools/Vista feature that allows course instructor to send important messages to entire class; this content appear as pop-ups when the student enters the course for the first time after this message is sent; all messages remain accessible from the "Announcements" button found in the tool bar at the top of the course viewing screen

Application: A set of files that make up software; examples include word processors, spreadsheets, and media players

Assessments: Course Tools/Vista feature that allows instructors to create and students to complete formal tests and examinations; students may access these items from within modules or by using the "Assessments" button found in the tool bar at the top of the course viewing screen (Note: Assessments frequently are only accessible on specified days for a predetermined amount of time. Once a student begins an assessment, he or she is typically expected to complete it in one setting with no additional attempts.)

Assignments: Course Tools/Vista feature that allows instructors to create and students to submit many types of course activities such as written essays, projects, reflections, or answers to homework questions; students may access these items from within modules or by using the "Assignments" button found in the tool bar at the top of the course viewing screen; due dates are typically assigned and late submissions may not be permitted

Asynchronous Learning: Completing or participating in online course activities at different times than the other students in your class

Aural/Auditory Learning Style: Using lectures, tutorials, tapes, discussions, speaking, chats, and talking to find out more about ideas and concepts; the learner prefers to "hear" the information

B

Back Button: Navigation tool found at the top left side of the screen when using a browser to visit sites on the internet. Important: Do not use the back button in Course Tools/Vista. Instead, use the navigation tools that are included on the upper right side of your viewing screen.

Bandwith: The amount of data that can be transmitted within a given amount of time

Blended Course: Class that has both face-to-face and online components

Browser: Application used to allow viewing of articles, images, and other items on the internet; common browsers include Explorer, Fire Fox, and Safari

Browser Check: Review of computer settings that is done at the beginning of an online course to ensure that all settings are compatible with Course Tools/Vista. Either before class begins or during the first few days, you should check your browser settings.

Bursar: Treasurer or business officer for the University; handles fees paid for courses

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C

CD: Initials for a compact disc which is small, round, plastic medium inserted into a computer to allow for storage and retrievable of information. Some online courses, and textbooks, include supplemental materials for students on CDs.

Cable Modem: An electronic device that utilizes underground lines (connections) to transmit data to or from other communication lines; allows for high-speed transferring of information

Calendar: Course Tools/Vista feature that allows instructors and students to include due dates and important events in a central location that indicates items on a daily, monthly, and weekly basis; used as a planning tool for an online course; students may access the items by using the "Calendar" button found in the tool bar at the top of the course viewing screen

Center for Continuing Studies: University resource that provides assistance and guidance to students who are participating in the following types of programs: Master of Professional Studies (MPS), Bachelor of General Studies, and those for professional development. Students who have not matriculated into a degree-granting program utilize the services provided by the Center.

Center for Students with Disabilities: University resource that provides assistance and guidance to students who may need accommodations when taking courses at this University; it is the student's responsibility to contact the Center for Students with Disabilities as soon as possible if modifications may be necessary to enable participation in online courses

Central Processing Unit (CPU): The key component of a computer system, which contains the circuitry necessary to interpret and execute program instructions

Chat: Course Tools/Vista feature that allows students and instructors to communicate in real-time using text messages; one person will post a message and the recipient is able to immediately respond; the Who's Online area of the My Vista Courses Screen indicates when an instructor or students from the same class are online at the same time so that a chat can be started if desired

Course Tools/Vista: Course management system used for online learning at the University of Connecticut;

D

DSL: Digital subscriber line; a technology that allows high-speed transmission of text, audio, and video

DVD: Initials for digital video disc; an optical disc that can store a very large amount of digital data, as text, music, or images

Dial-Up Modem: An electronic device that utilizes telephone lines (connections) to transmit data to or from other communication lines; information is transferred at a slow speed (Note: Dial-up is not recommended for online courses.)

Discussion: Course Tools/Vista feature that allows instructors to post a question to a class of online students; students then respond to the original question and also respond to the comments of others; students may access the items by using the "Discussions" button found in the tool bar at the top of the course viewing screen or within a module

Download: To transfer programs or information from one computer or server to another computer

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E

E-mail: Communication system that allows messages to be sent from one person to another using a computer and the internet

E-portfolio: Collection of assignments and projects created during a course; typically contains examples of a student's best work; used by some instructors for assessment purposes

Eastern Time Zone (U.S.): Time of day as observed in states along the eastern coast of the United States (Note: Times and due dates included in online courses at this University reflect this time zone. )

Electronic Course Reserves (ECR): Articles and other items that are part of the UConn Libraries that can be accessed with Course Tools/Vista. Many online instructors require students to read or use items as part of online courses.

Explorer: Browser that is used with Windows operating systems

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FERPA: Refers to the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act adhered to by this University and designed to protect students and access to their academic and personal information

Facilitator: Person in online course who has the role of ensuring that a learning activity, such as a discussion, stays on topic and progresses towards the intended objective or purpose; although the instructor typically serves in this capacity, students may also be asked to assume this role

Fire Fox : Browser that can be used with both Windows and Macintosh operating systems

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Google: a popular search engine that is used as a tool to find resources on the internet

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Hardware: The mechanical, magnetic, electronic, and electrical devices comprising a computer system, such as the central processing unit (CPU), disc drives, keyboard, or monitor

High Speed: Used to describe a type of modem that allows for the quick transfer of information; examples include DSL and cable

Home Page: Main page of an online course; (After logging in, a student will see the My Vista Courses Screen. After selecting a course from the "Course List", the student will then be able to view the Home Page for the online course.)

Husky Mail: Student e-mail system at this University that can be used to send mail outside the Course Tools/Vista system

Hyperlink (link): Electronic connection created between two locations within a document or between two items/resources on the internet

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I

Instructor: Person who has been designated to deliver an online or face-to-face course; typically develops content for the course and serves as the facilitator for learning activities

Instructional Design and Development (IDD): Part of the Institute for Teaching and Learning at the University of Connecticut; provide support services to both instructors and students; responsible for creating and maintaining this Guide

Interactive Media: Components of an online course that allow students to participate in an active way; examples include simulations, tutorials, virtual laboratory experiments, and similar activities

Internet: An interconnected system of networks that connects computers around the world

Introduction and Information Module: Activities and information typically included in fully online courses that provides facts about the course as well as practice opportunities for Course Tools/Vista.

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K

Kinesthetic Learning Style: Using experiences and practice, either real or simulated, to find out more about ideas and concepts; the learner prefers to be "doing" something with the information or connected to real-life experiences

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Learning Community: Group of students and instructor(s) who work support one another during a common learning experience such as an online course

Learning Resource Center (LRC): University service that provides technical assistance to online students

Login: Using a NetID and password to enter an online course found in Course Tools/Vista; this can be done on the Login Screen

Lurking: Observing the interactions of others without participating in the activity; in an online course, this often occurs in discussions (Note: All students are expected to participate in discussions and grades may be impacted if a student does not meet the stated requirements for an activity.)

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M

Mac: Abbreviation used to describe operating systems for Apple/Macintosh products

Matriculation: To enroll in a college or university as a candidate for a degree

Media Writers and Viewers: Includes CD and DVD drives that are part of a computer's hardware; used to for storage and retrieval of information

Modem: An electronic device that makes possible the transmission of data to or from a computer via telephone or other communication lines.

Module: Group of activities and content for a subpart of an online course; similar to a chapter in a book

Multimedia: Various types of video and sound components that may be included in an online course; players may need to be downloaded in order to use/view these items

My Vista Courses Screen: First page user sees after logging into Course Tools/Vista; includes a list of courses, calendar, and other helpful items

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Navigation Tools: Feature of Course Tools/Vista that allows you to move from screen to screen in your online course. These are found at the top of the screen in your course and include retrace , previous page , and next page . You may also access specific topics from the outline included in the left frame

NetID: Unique identifier assigned by the University; must be used, along with a password, to access online courses

Netiquette: Manners and guidelines that used in online courses to help create a respectful and polite learning environment

Non-Traditional Student: Person who waits to attend college after finishing high school. In addition to taking courses, this type of student typically has personal (family) and professional demands on their time.

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O

Online: Using the features of a computer and internet to access information or participate in activities

Online Learning: Coursework that takes place using a computer and the features of the internet

Operating System: Set of programs that manages the hardware and software of a computer; Windows (PC) and Macintosh (Mac) are examples

Organizer Page: Starting screen in an online course used to establish a hierarchical order; it functions as a doorway to help get students access the various parts of an online course

Outline: In Course Tools/Vista, the ordered list that appears in each module which lists activities and content. This appears on the left side of the screen and can be used for navigational purposes.

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PC: Letters used to describe Windows-based operating systems

Password: Unique set of numbers, letter, and characters that is used along with a NetID to access online courses at this University (Note: Students may be using different passwords to access various online services. Make certain that you are using the correct password when trying to access your online course.)

Peer Review: A process that allows a student to formally share his/her thoughts about the performance of one or more of his/her classmates; guidelines are often given for what type of feedback should be provided; frequently used during the revision process for written assignments and to assess participation levels during group projects

PeopleSoft: Online student administrative system used at this University to register for or drop courses; additional administrative functions can also be performed using PeopleSoft (Student Administration System)

Pop-up Blocker: Browser function that allows user to "block" ads that may be displayed when using the internet (Note: When using Course Tools/Vista students and instructors will need to disable this function.)

Portable Document Format (PDF): File extension that indicates a document has been created in a "read only" format; free downloadable versions of Acrobat Reader are available and needed for viewing these documents

PowerPoint: Software that is used to create presentations using both words and images. Sometimes used by instructors to create lectures included in online courses. Also used by students to create course projects.

Prerequisite: Course that must be completed, or skills that a student must have, before taking a class. Many higher level courses require students to have evidence of completion of introductory courses in the same content area.

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Q

QuickTime: Application that allows for use of multimedia components; free downloads are available at QuickTime

R

RTF: File extension that describes rich text format; students who are creating documents using word processing applications other than Word may opt to save items in this format to ensure that it can be opened and viewed by others

Random Access Memory (RAM): The most common computer memory which can be used by programs to perform necessary tasks while the computer is on;

Read/Write Learning Style: Using words to find out more about ideas and concepts; the learner prefers to "read or write" about information (Note: This is the most common learning preference that is supported in college courses.)

RealPlayer: Application that allows for use of multimedia components; free downloads are available at RealPlayer

Real-Time Communication: Discussions or chats that occur synchronously or at the same time

Registrar: An official at a school or college who maintains students' personal and academic records, issues reports of grades, mails out official publications, etc; for more information view: Office of the Registrar

Rubric: Tool used for grading; typically created in a grid with a system of points (with 4 being the highest) that indicates the quality of each aspect of an assignment or assessment

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S

SMART Goals: Acronym used to describe goal setting; specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and time-based

Safari: Common browser used with Macintosh operating systems

Schedule of Classes: List of courses being offered during each semester at the Storrs and regional campuses; Schedule of Classes allows for online viewing

Self-Paced Learning: Online course that is designed to allow each learner to progress at a speed that is most conducive to his or her learning; students may complete modules more quickly than their classmates or take additional time as needed

Server: A computer that manages centralized data storage or network communications resources; provides and organizes access to these resources for other computers linked to it

Software: Written programs or procedures or rules and associated documentation pertaining to the operation of a computer system; necessary for the computer to function, but not easy to see such or touch like hardware

Sound Card: Computer hardware that allows for the hearing of audio components used in various multimedia applications

Student Administrative System: Another name for PeopleSoft; allows students to access various University services online

Syllabus: Document created by your online instructor that provides information about your course

Synchronous Learning: Completing or participating in online course activities at the same time as the other students in your class

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Tool Bar: Series of buttons found at the top of the viewing area when using Course Tools/Vista; may include Assignments, Assessments, Discussions, Announcements, Calendar, and Chat and other needed in an online course

Traditional Student: Person who attends college immediately after or within a few years of attending high school. This type of student is typically between the ages of 18-24, may be working only a few hours per week, and does not have extensive personal demands from family.

Transcript: Official document that describes courses taken and credits earned by a student at this University

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U

URL: Letters used to describe a uniform resource locator; an address that identifies a particular file on the internet

Upload: Transfer of files or other items from one place, often a computer, to another location such as a larger computer or server

Undergraduate Course Catalog: Document that provides information about all courses being offered at this University for undergraduate students; indicates prerequisites for courses; accessible online at Undergraduate Catalog of Courses

University Information and Technology Services (UITS): UITS is comprised of several departments that together provide network and computing technology service and support to the UConn community and other state entities; also responsible for providing NetIDs

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VARK: Acronym used to indicate four learning styles--visual, aural/auditory, read/write, and kinesthetic

Virtual Classroom: Online environment where learning occurs; although students and instructors participate in common activities, there is no physical space where the entire group of learners physically meets

Virtual Office Hours: Online times during which your instructor can be contacted using the Chat tool for your online course

Visual Learning Style: Using charts, graphs, flow charts, arrows, circles, and hierarchies to represent ideas and concepts; the learner prefers to "see" the information

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W

WebCT Vista: Course management system used for online learning at the University of Connecticut; frequently referred to as Course Tools/Vista

Winamp: Multimedia player sometimes needed to access course materials; free downloads are available

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