Glossary for the entire site, across all courses and subjects.
Currently sorted By last update ascending Sort chronologically:
By last update 
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By creation date
Hypertext/hot links/hyperlink
: Text and images which, when clicked on, display other related information. These are widely used on the Internet and CD-ROMs to simplify the selection of further information. |
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Icon
: A small picture which represents an action or object. Icons are used on computers to represent commands. A small picture of a printer may be used to represent the print command. Selecting the icon with a mouse and clicking on it will command the computer to print. |
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Integrated Learning System (ILS)
: Software package which combines curriculum content in tutorial format with a management system to monitor and record the progress of the learner. |
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Internet
: A global telecommunications network enabling computers around the world to share information. |
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Intranet
: Similar to the Internet, but restricted within an organisation, e.g. a school or local authority. Most Intranets contain gateways to the wider Internet. |
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Joystick
: A device connected to a computer to control actions on a screen, e.g. in computer games. Can have a similar function to a mouse. |
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Keywords
: A list of words which are used to describe a document or other information so that it is easy to find with a search engine. For example, a report of the Trooping of the Colour may have the keywords royal, tradition, England, military and many others, associated with it. |
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Large display screen
: A large (usually 28 or above) monitor or TV which allows many people to view a computer screen simultaneously. Alternatively, an ordinary projection screen can be used in conjunction with a video projector or computer display panel. |
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Logical operator
: When searching for information on a CD-ROM or the Internet it is
possible to use keywords and to link those with logical operators
such as and and or. They allow the search to be narrowed or
widened. For example, "horse and plough" would
only find information which contained both the words, whilst "horse
or plough" would find any reference which
contained either one or other word, including information on modern
farm equipment and show-jumping. |
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Logo
: A computer programming language that can be used, for example, to create and manipulate shapes and patterns on screen or to control a screen or floor turtle. |
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Modelling
: Using a spreadsheet or other software to explore the effect of changing variables in a given scenario. |
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Multi-media
: Information consisting of text, graphics, sound and moving video. |
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Multi-media software (authoring
tools)
: A computer programme which allows the user to create documents which contain text, pictures, sounds and video. Some word processors and presentation software can be used for this purpose. |
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National Grid for Learning (NGfL)
: A developing collection of resources brought together on the Internet to help raise standards in education and to support lifelong learning. |
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Network
: Computers that are connected together and can communicate with each other or share resources such as computer programs or printers. |
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Newsgroups
: A global Internet bulletin board - a collection of messages and articles organised into topics. |
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Notation (software/sequencer)
: Some computer programs, written for music teaching, allow the production and editing of music scores, in much the same way that word processors are used to produce texts. In some cases the notation can be directly played on an instrument through a midi interface, in other cases the playing of the instrument through a midi interface will produce the musical notation. |
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On-line (discussion or conference)
: A facility to allow a number of people to exchange ideas and comments on a subject, generally in a written form and using either a local network, Intranet or the Internet. |
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Overhead projector tablet or panel
: A computer display panel that sits on an overhead projector, allowing the image from the computer to be projected onto a large screen. |
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Overlay keyboard
: A rectangular, touch-sensitive device connected to the computer. It is divided into a grid, onto which a sheet of paper containing pictures and words can be placed. Pressing areas of the sheet causes pre-programmed text or pictures to appear on the screen or sounds to be played. |
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