AWS: Global Technical Glossary

Glossary for the entire site, across all courses and subjects.

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Spreadsheet

An application in which textual and numerical data can be entered, stored and displayed. It can perform sophisticated calculations and be used to draw graphs of the data. Spreadsheets are especially useful for exploring models in which the rules are governed by mathematical relationships, e.g. the budget for a design and technology project.

Talking (books, word processors, dictionaries)

Multi-media computers can be used, with suitable software, to read aloud the words that appear on the screen. With some word processors this facility can be set to read each word as it is written or to read only when prompted by the user.

Terminal (computer)

A computer attached to a network, often known as a network station. Data is usually stored centrally on the server.

Text art

Processing a small amount of text in a graphical way to produce special effects, as in logos etc.

Text conferencing

Enables people in a conference group or chat room to exchange text messages, usually via the Internet, which will display simultaneously for each member of the group.

Text manipulation software

Specialist computer programs, often used to teach languages, which allow words or letters to be hidden, revealed or replaced.

Touch screen

A touch sensitive computer display screen. The user selects, moves and draws by pointing to, and touching, the relevant part of the screen.

Trackball

Alternative to a mouse. It has the advantage of remaining in one place and requires less table space.

Turtle (Turtle graphics)

Generally associated with Logo. The turtle generally takes the form of a mechanical floor turtle or a symbol on a computer screen which can be programmed to produce images or mathematical patterns.

Video capture

Equipment which allows a video camera to be connected to a computer. Video sequences or still images can then be stored on disk and edited.

Video conferencing

By means of a camera and microphone attached to each computer, several people can communicate at a distance with sound and images, either via the Internet or high speed telephone lines.

Vinyl cutter

A robotic cutting device that can be programmed to cut vinyl to a pre-determined pattern.

Virtual Teacher Centre

Part of the National Grid for Learning, this is a source of resource materials for the classroom, the library, school management, career development, etc.

Voice conferencing

Several people can communicate audibly at a distance, either via the Internet, by means of a microphone attached to each computer, or via ordinary telephone lines.

Web authoring software

A computer programme designed to produce web pages for a web site.

Web site Web pages

A collection of related pages (web pages) of information, owned and maintained by the same organisation or individual, and published on the Internet. It is relatively straightforward for schools and individuals to create a web site.

Whiteboard/interactive, electronic

Like a conventional whiteboard, except that the images from the computer are projected onto the board and can be controlled and adjusted on screen using a stylus. Can be used in whole class teaching.

Word processing

The ability to enter, edit, manipulate, store and print pages of text using a computer. Modern word processors have desktop publishing capability.

World Wide Web

The vast collection of information which has been published on the Internet in the form of web pages.

Wristwatch monitor

This consists of a strap fitting around your chest that contains a radio that transmits your heartbeat to a wristwatch monitor. Heart monitors can be programmed to beep if your pulse rate moves outside your target zone.