Back to the Beginners Only:
►Main Page
►FAQs

A Primer on Basics,
Key Terms and How
to Get Started.
 

Glossary:

  • Blackboard:  course management software  that allows instructors to load content (lectures, readings, links), deploy discussion boards, and give tests.  Blackboard also has class management tools for email, groups, gradebook, calendar, etc.  Blackboard is accessible to instructors and students over an internet connection, with no other software necessary except for a browser and some plug-ins.  Blackboard is administered at BMCC by Instructional Technology.
  • Browser:  free software for viewing web pages.  Internet Explorer (IE), Netscape and Firefox are some of the most popular; others include Opera, Safari, etc.  AOL users have their own browser.  Blackboard is optimized to work with Internet Explorer (IE).
  • Plug-in: Software that adds a specific feature or service to an internet browser.  Plug-ins are generally free and may allow you to view certain types of documents or run applications.
  • Web-enhanced: Web-enhanced courses are taught with internet resources to complement and enhance learning. 
  • DL: Distance Learning.  DL courses are generally taught with few or no face to face meetings.
  • Hybrid: Hybrid courses are taught with a combination of online and face to face classroom meetings.
  • Office (MS Office):  A suite of software programs ranging from word processing to creating databases
  • Excel: A program for creating and maintaining spread sheets, graphs and tables.
  • Access: A program for creating and maintaining databases.
  • Word:  A word processing program for creating memos, letters, flyers, newsletters, and manuals
  • PowerPoint: A program for creating presentations using text and media
  • Impatica:  A program for converting multimedia PowerPoint presentations into a format that can be put on the web 
  • WinZip: A program for compressing many files into one, smaller file
  • Technologically-Enhanced Classroom/Smart Classroom:  A classroom outfitted with equipment such as a projector, internet connection, computer, VCR/DVD player, opaque projector, etc.
  • Instructional Lab: A computer lab used for classroom teaching
  • Open Access Lab:  A computer lab open to students on a drop-in basis
  • Wireless:  A connection that does not require a cable to connect the computer to a network and/or the internet
  • Portal:  A Web site or service that offers a broad array of resources and services such as email, personalized information, access to databases, etc.
  • Flash/Thumb Drive: A small usb device that allows you to transport files much like a floppy disk, but with far greater capacity
  • CD: An optical disc containing information or media.
  • DVD: An optical disc containing information or media with a greater capacity than CD
  • Zip: A disk specifically made for zip drives, used to store information much like a floppy, but with far greater capacity
  • Lotus Notes:  A messaging system that includes not only email, but also calendaring and scheduling
  • CUNYVM:  CUNYVM is an interface to work with the registration database, but is also used to refer to the actual database
  • Discussion Board:  A messaging system where users can post messages, usually available over the internet.  Messages remain on the system until the administrator removes or archives them, so a discussion can take place in the space of an hour, a day, a week, month or year.
  • List-serv:  A messaging system where users can send email messages that will reach all members of the list-serv
  • Synchronous:  Communication that takes place when all users are available at the same time, as in a chatroom.
  • Asnynchronous: Communication that takes place when users are available at different times, as in a message or discussion board where users may read and post at various times
  • Blogs: A frequent, chronological publication of personal thoughts and Web links.
  • RSS:  Really Simple Syndication (RSS) is a format designed to consolidate the reading of blogs or other Web content
  • Wiki: A website that allows users to freely create and edit its web page content using any web browser

Back to the Beginners Only:
►Main Page
►FAQs