Acronym
Literally, an acronym is a word formed by the initial letters of
a phrase or title. In the online environment, acronyms are used to conserve
time and space in an electronic message as well as to express humor.
Examples of commonly used acronyms are: ASAP (as soon as possible), and
FYI (for your information). for a comprehensive list of acronyms to use
online, follow this link: http://www.chatlist.com/newcfdocs/searchacro.cfm
Asynchronous Communication
Online discussions occurring independent of time or location. Participants
send messages to a central location (discussion forum) where they are archived
for later retrieval from other participants. An example of asynchronous communication
is email.
Collaborative/Cooperative Learning
The process of getting two or more students to work together
to learn. Sometimes a distinction is made between the two terms based
on the age of the learners: cooperative for K-12 education and collaborative
learning for adult education, and some practitioners contend that there
are important differences between the two based on the unique pedagogical
needs of each corresponding age group. However, the terms are often used
interchangeably.
Emoticon
Also known as smilies, they are keyboard characters used in combination to
produce whimsical symbols representing a range of emotions. Examples are
happy :-) and sad :-( .
Emoticons are used in electronic communication to show humor and express
emotions that are difficult to communicate in a text-based environment. For
a comprehensive list of emoticons, follow this link: http://www.chatlist.com/faces.html
F2F
Face-to-face. This term is used to describe the traditional classroom environment.
Facilitative Tools
Electronic applications used in online courses as part of the course delivery.
Examples are mailing lists, chat programs, streaming audio, streaming video,
Web pages, etc. A successful online course will contain a combination of
these tools, but it is neither necessary nor desirable to use all of them.
Facilitative tools should be selected according to their added value to the
course material and whether they are useful in achieving the learning outcomes
of the course.
Facilitator
The online course instructor is often referred to as the
course facilitator. Online instructors do not retain their traditional "teacher-centered" roles
from the onground paradigm. Instead, they become the medium through which
discovery learning is facilitated in a student-centered environment.
Lurking
A person is lurking when he/she reads the postings in a
discussion forum but does not contribute to the discussion. It is important
for an online instructor to be somewhat accepting of lurkers since students
have different learning styles and some learn better by listening. However,
it is also important to encourage lurkers to become active participants
in order for them to take full advantage of the online paradigm.
Netiquette
People navigating in a virtual environment must follow proper
protocols and have good online "manners" generally known
as netiquette, or etiquette on the Net.
Onground Environment
This term is used to describe the traditional classroom environment, also known
as face-to-face.
Online Environment
Courses, discussions, or other communication occurring in an electronic format
via the Internet.
Private Communication
Refers to electronic communication (email) sent to one or
more individuals to their personal email mailboxes as opposed to a public
conferencing forum.
Public Communication
Refers to electronic communication sent to a public conferencing
forum, listserv, mailing list etc. where one message is distributed to
all list members.
Real Time Communication
Communication occurring at the moment messages are generated. Real Time is
a characteristic of synchronous communication.
Seamless Technology
In an online course, technology is said to be seamless (or transparent)
when it is easy to use, intuitive in nature, and is NOT the focus of
the learning experience. If programs are difficult to use and the system
has frequent breakdowns, the technology is not seamless and hinders the
learning process. Technology should merely be a means to deliver course
content, facilitating the learning process
Synchronous Communication
Online discussions occurring independent of location, but at the same time
(real time). Participants must agree on a time to log into the discussion
forum and messages are received at the moment they are sent. This form of
electronic communication is also called "chatting," and can include
audio and/or video.
Synergy
The dynamic energetic atmosphere created in an online class when participants
interact and productively communicate with each other and in groups. The
cooperative efforts of the participants create an enhanced combined effect
compared to the sum of their individual effects. This atmosphere is highly
conducive to learning.
Transparent Technology
In an online course, technology is said to be transparent
(or seamless) when it is easy to use, intuitive in nature, and is NOT
the focus of the learning experience. If programs are difficult to use
and the system has frequent breakdowns, the technology is not seamless
and hinders the learning process. Technology should merely be a means
to deliver course content, facilitating the learning process
24/7
Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. This term is
often used to describe the hours of operation of the Virtual Classroomä,
or how often technical support should be available for online students
and teachers.
Virtual Classroomä (VC)
An online discussion forum where most of the conversations relating to the
coursework take place (either synchronously or asynchronously). The VC is
usually physically a folder in a conferencing system where students and professor
post their messages. It is a public forum in the sense that all participants
can read and respond to any message posted to the VC.
Virtual Professorä (VP)
The facilitator or instructor of an online course.
