Glossary

Asynchronous Conferencing

The method by which group members can post e-mail messages to a web page display so that other members of the group can read them and, sometimes, edit them as well (asynchronous: not at the same time).  The result is a textual debate.  There is a considerable amount of literature about the use of asynchronous conferencing methods in e-learning and a Journal devoted to the subject. See also CMC and Synchronous Conferencing.

Big Brother

Dictator character from George Orwell's famous novel, 1984, which depicts a future world where the citizens' behaviour is continually monitored via technology (see relevant excerpt  from spy.org).

24/7

Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, i.e. continually.

CAL (Computer Assisted Learning)

Computer Assisted Learning: learning using a computer.  The term usually refers to educational computer programs.

CMC (Computer Mediated Communication)

Computer mediated communication:  often used synonymously with asynchronous conferencing methods but may also include e-mail and list-servs, voice boards, online chat, video-conferencing, etc.

CMS (Course Management System)

See e-Learning Systems. 

e-Learning

Electronic learning or learning via Information and Communication technologies (ICTs) on the analogy with e-mail.  But this interpretation could be contested (see Woodall, 2001) 

e-Learning Systems

Robson's 1999 definition of web-based course support systems is relevant:

A  comprehensive software package that supports  "courses that depend on the WWW for some combination of delivery, testing, simulation, discussion, or other significant aspect".  

There are any number of alternative terms.  Landon calls them Online Educational Delivery Applications on his Comparative Analysis web site.  The terms VLE, WLE, MLE and NLE (Virtual, Web, Managed and Networked Learning Environments) are also common. 

Three of the most popular systems (WebCT, Learning Space and TopClass) describe themselves as an  e-Learning Solution while Blackboard describes itself as a Course Management System. 

It is interesting to speculate what the terminology might tell us about the philosophy behind the system?  Course support suggests something along the lines of additional help for the teacher or perhaps the student?  Course management systems suggest computerised administration (and certainly Blackboard is the only system which appears to offer an online fee payment facility) while learning environments and e-learning suggest something more student-centred.  An e-Learning 'solution', however, does suggest something pretends to be a lot simpler than experience would attest.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Frequently Asked Questions:  A list of questions and answers on a particular topic.  A very common device on the web for providing quick answers to the questions most users will have (often on  technical topics).

F2F (Face to Face)

Face to Face: also called campus education, contact learning or classroom-based learning (when distinguished from distance learning).

H80X

Generic term for modules contributing to the OU course MA in Open and Distance Education

Integrated Virtual Campus

defined by Lazenby as "administration servies such as payroll and application are integrated with libarary, teaching and learning systems to be accessible via the Internet."

IJET (International Journal of Educational Telecommunications)

Now renamed as The International Journal of E-Learning.

IPR

Intellectual Property Rights - see Uk Government website.

Lurk

Reading messages posted to a bulletin board or online chatroom without contributing.  Lurking can spark off some emotional responses:  while some participants feel it is 'unfair' for lurkers to benefit from their peers' contributions, others accept that people learn in different ways and that lurking is an acceptable form of participating.

Macro level

On a large scale, e.g. macroeconomics

Micro level

Relating to a small area. e.g. microclimate.  Concerning small detailed variations.

MCQ

Multiple Choice Questionnaire:  much used in the US but the technique has never been much used in Europe (see Shafer, M., 1992 - an ERIC Digest written for a US audience about education in Europe and Japan). In the UK, the 'essay' remains  the main means of assessment in higher education both for coursework and for examinations .

MLE (Managed Learning Environment)

See e-Learning Systems

Netiquette

Guidelines for conducting online communications, see Gary Alexander's "Netiquette, or the social conventions of computer conferencing". 

NLE (Networked Learning Environment)

See e-Learning Systems.

OU (Open University)

Acronym for The Open University, the UK Distance Learning University.

Online Delivery Applications

See e-Learning Systems.

Synchronous Conferencing

The method by which two or more people can communicate via a computer in real time (synchronous: at the same time).  This is usually refers to 'online chat' where participants type short sentences which are posted immediately to a shared internet connection and can be replied to immediately by others.  However, it also includes real-time voice and video-communication.  See also Asynchronous Conferencing. 

VLE (Virtual Learning Environment)

See e-Learning Systems.

Web-based Course-Support Systems

See e-Learning Systems.

WLE (Web Learning Environment)

See e-Learning Systems.