Common Terms

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In terms of communicating online, asynchronous means not happening at the same time. Communicating on a discussion board is asynchronous communication. Also see synchronous below.

Broadband, also called high speed Internet, refers to the speed of your Internet connection or the amount of data you can receive at a time. Broadband is required for receiving streaming video or audio transmissions. Cable modems, DSL, and T1 are just a few broadband connections. Dial-up connections such as 56K are not broadband.

A course, either undergraduate or graduate level received for credit from another institution of higher education.

When streaming audio or video, buffering is the process of downloading a given amount of audio or video in order to begin playing the clip sooner without having to interrupt playback. Buffering does not require the entire clip to be downloaded before playback begins.

Also known as a discussion board.

A Cable Modem is a very fast way to connect to the Internet. Cable modem service is also called broadband or high speed. A cable modem connection comes over the same line as your cable television. It is an extra service in addition to your cable television, and you can call your cable company for more information about cable modem service in your area.

MWSU’s on-campus cable television system. It consists of satellite-delivered feeds and Distance Education programming. Channels 70-77 are programmed by IMC/Educational Television Services.

A chat room is a communication tool in WebCT that let's you 'talk' to instructors or students online by typing messages back and forth. It is similar to having a phone conversation, except you are typing instead of talking.

Originally CODEC stood for CODer-DECoder, i.e. microprocessor chip. It’s an overall term for the technology used in digital video and stereo audio. The original CODEC (still in big use in today’s telephony industry) converts voice signals from their analog form to digital signals acceptable to modern digital PBXs and digital transmission systems. It then converts those digital signals back to analog so that you may hear and understand what the other person is saying. (Newton’s Telecom Dictionary, pg. 149) These units are used to connect sites participating in two-way interactive distance education classes.

A path between lines that allows the transmission of data, audio, and video. (Newton’s Telecom Dictionary)

A copyright protects the original author of a story, software program, song movie, piece of sculpture, or other original work from direct copying. (Newton’s Telecom Dictionary) In Distance Learning, we have to provide citations, giving credit to the copyright holders regarding all materials that instructors use. Credit tapes are created for this purpose that are played at the end of every MWSU-originated class period.

Dial-up, also called narrowband, refers to the use of a dial-up modem, such as a 56K modem, to connect to the Internet. If you have dial-up access with your Internet Service Provider (ISP), you will be given a phone number that your computer must call in order to connect to the Internet.

Discussions boards (also called bulletin boards or forums) are where public messages are posted. You can ask questions or communicate with your classmates and instructor in discussion boards. Discussion boards are used in most online courses and other courses that use WebCT.

DSL stands for digital subscriber line. It is a very fast way to connect to the Internet. DSL service is also called broadband or high speed. DSL uses your phone line to connect, but it does not tie up your phone line like dial-up can. Contact your phone company for more information about DSL service in your area.

E-mail is an electronic way to send a message to another person or group of people. To send or receive e-mail, you must first have an e-mail address. At Missouri Western, your email address is your student ID followed by "@missouriwestern.edu".

Emoticons are used to express emotion in text-based communication. A few examples are: :-) :-( ;-)

An on-campus administrative personnel acting as the liaison between distance education far end sites, the originating site, and students. In an online class, a facilitator may also lead a discussion. They may assist students with testing, getting assignments to their instructor or act as an academic advisor.

Frequently Asked Questions - a list of questions and answers that can assist you in solving common problems.

During two-way interactive connectivity, the Far End refers to all sites that we, as a point of origination, are connected to.

Hardware and/or software that limits access between an Intranet and the Internet.

This refers to a type of problem associated with audio/video transmission during two-way interactive connectivity. If video or audio has stopped movement all together, it is considered frozen.

Hyper Text Markup Language - the language and codes used to design web pages for the Internet. HTML includes text and links.

Hyper Text Transport Protocol - this is a set of rules that assists browsers to retrieve HTML web pages.

An application that allows you to chat or "message" other people online. AOL and MSN both provide free instant messenger applications.

Interactive Video (Two-Way Video)

The ability of a person or device to talk to or communicate with another device (typically a computer) in real time, i.e. no delays. The term generally is applied in the context of interaction with a computer over a network in a conversational mode. (Newton’s Telecom Dictionary)

The electronic connection of computers and computer networks around the world.

Internet Explorer (IE) is a web browser made by Microsoft.

A private Internet that is limited to people within a company, home, etc. Computers that are located behind a firewall are on an Intranet.

Internet Relay Chat - a mechanism for text-based chatting on the Internet.

Internet Service Provider - the person or company that provides your access to the Internet.

Instructional Television Fixed Service is a band of twenty (20) television channels available to be licensed by the FCC to non-profit educational entities. The channels can be used solely to deliver instruction, or in partnership with companies (Wireless Cable Operators) that deliver a subscriber-based video service that competes with land-based cable television systems to deliver entertainment programming. ITFS Channels have a relatively short range (approximately 35 miles). MWSU ITFS Channels are A1/24, A2/26, A3/28, and A4/30.

A programming language used to enhance web pages or web applications. JavaScript works in conjunction with HTML.

Stands for Kansas City Regional Access Consortium for Higher Education. This is a distance learning alliance among KCPT and eight of the region's colleges and universities. Together, they offer distance learners more than 500 courses and 35 degree programs to choose from. See www.kcreache.org.

A two-way interactive video problem or computer problem used to describe the delay of data, video, or audio. The time it takes to get information through a network. The delay may be caused by a number of problems.

In a two-way interactive situation, refers to the location you are in if a course is originated at your site. If your site is only originating a Distance Education course, can also refer to the signal your room outputs.

Commonly used nickname to describe an Apple computer using a Macintosh operating system.

Nerve center for all telecasts. Controls the program input, storage, and retrieval for on-the-air telecasts. Also oversees technical quality of all program material. (Zettl, pg. 600) All of Missouri Western’s interactive connectivity runs through our Master Control Room.

The Missouri Research and Education Network. Provides Internet connectivity, access to Internet2, technical support, videoconferencing services and training to Missouri's K-12 schools, colleges and universities, public libraries, health care, state government and other affiliates. See website www.more.net.

Rules of etiquette when communicating online in a chat room or discussion board. For example, some comments don't come across to others online the way you intend, so you may want to use emoticons to indicate when you are joking in a comment :) .

Netscape is a web browser.

A person new to something.

An online class is a class that takes place entirely (or almost entirely) over the Internet. It may use WebCT and other tools to allow instructors and students to communicate virtually. An online class usually requires students to send e-mail, communicate on a discussion board, submit assignments electronically, and take tests online.

The user that is the ultimate source of a video-related event.

Commonly used nickname to describe a computer running under a Microsoft Windows operating system.

A private circuit, conversation or teleconference in which there is one person at each end, usually connected by some dedicated transmission line. In short, a connection with only two endpoints. (Newton’s Telecom Dictionary) Commonly used in two-way interactive conferences or events, usually just between two sites.

Brand name of CODEC used in the IMC Master Control.

(Noun) A post is a message on a discussion board.

The speed at which a VCR is set to record. SP (standard play), SLP (standard long play), or EP (extended play). A record speed must be chosen according to the class length in comparison to the tape length.

Refresh is a button in your web browser that will reload the web page you are viewing. This is one way to check if new information is available on the web page.

A type of camera used in Educational Television Services interactive video classrooms. Is usually fixed in position above the instructor desk and can only zoom in, zoom out and focus. Is typically used to capture video images from above the desk.

In interactive video terms, is a form of video latency or slowness. Usually seen in the form of video sources not being clear but smearing or breaking up.

St. Joseph Cablevision

St. Joseph’s local origination cable station. Educational Television Services programs Distance Education teleclasses and other feeds on Channel 39, Missouri Western’s cable channel.

Streaming refers to the transmission of multimedia across the Internet from one computer to another. For example, streaming allows you to start watching a video before it has been completely downloaded on your computer.

In terms of communicating online, synchronous means happening at the same time. Communicating in a chat room is synchronous communication. Also see asynchronous above.

Telecommunications Community Resource Center - A community-based facility that offers distance learning, on-line and videoconferencing services.

Technical Difficulties

Problems that may occur in the production or facilitation of video-related events or online courses.

Technical Director (TD)

Technician responsible for the video and audio signal switching for teleclasses, telecourses and video conferencing events that are produced.

Fully accredited, video-based courses delivered live, via television with possible interaction from a distance.

Teleclassroom (or ITV room)

A classroom that is set-up to send and receive video and audio for the purpose of videoconferencing, teleclasses, and telecourses. ITV stands for Interactive Television.

A thread is a conversation on a discussion board. Threads are composed of posts.

Uniform Resource Locator - another name for a web address (http://www.missouriwestern.edu is the Missouri Western State University URL).

This is a classroom where the physical room does not actually exist. Students are connected to the Internet and communicate through email and conferencing. The instructor is responsible for presenting learning material online and coordinating classroom activities.

A computer mouse that is wireless, allowing the instructor to use the computer while moving around the classroom freely.