Search

Advanced search

ICT Framework Glossary of ICT terms

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Term	Definition
address book	A small database, which is part of an email software package, in which the user can store email addresses and other contact details for the individuals and groups he/she corresponds with.
aggregator (feed reader)	A software application or web service that collects web feeds such as news headlines, blogs and podcasts from various sources and displays it in a single location for easy viewing.
alignment	The horizontal positioning of text or graphics on a page. Text or graphics can be positioned to the left, right, or centre of a page. Text may also be simultaneously aligned to the left and to the right of a page. This feature is available in word processors and in creative or authoring software.
animation software	multimedia software that creates the appearance of motion by displaying a series of still images in rapid sequence.
antivirus software (antiviral)	Software designed to detect the presence or occurrence of a computer virus. The software subsequently signals an alert via a variety of mechanisms and, in most commercial products, can then be used to delete the virus.
assistive technology	Software, hardware or other devices that have been specifically designed or adapted to assist people with disabilities in carrying out daily activities. Assistive technologies include text-to-speech screen readers, alternative keyboards and mice, head pointing devices and screen magnification software.
attachment (email attachment)	A file which is attached to and sent with, or received with, an email message.
AUP (acceptable use policy)	An AUP is a written agreement in the form of guidelines, generally signed by students, their parents and their teachers, outlining the terms and conditions of acceptable use of computers, peripherals and the Internet.
blogs (weblogs)	A blog (web log) is a journal or diary that is available on the web. Blogs often offer commentary on a particular subject. Blogs are typically updated regularly using software that people with little or no technical experience may easily use. The blog creator (blogger) may invite feedback, but retains authoring control of the blog. Blogs are primarily text based although many use photographs, videos or audio.
bookmarks (favourites, hotlist, bookmarked)	A user-created list of website addresses or URLs that facilitate easy and direct access.
broadband	High speed Internet access. wireless broadband refers to the availability of a connection to the Internet without cable or power lines.
browser (web browser)	A software application used to locate and display webpages.
CAD software (computer aided design)	Software for creating engineering and architectural drawings with a high level of detail. CAD software allows the user to manipulate drawings and view them from all angles.
cell	An intersection of a row and column in a spreadsheet; the place in which text, a number or a formula is entered in a spreadsheet.
channel	See feed.
chat (chatroom)	A communications medium that permits multiple users to 'chat' with each other in real time rather than stored for later reading. Chat may be used for social networking or in e-learning for student questions, tutor feedback or group discussion.
collaborative project	A group or groups frequently in different locations working on a joint project towards a common goal.
communication software	See social networking websites.
concept keyboard	An overlay for or alternative to the traditional computer keyboard. Concept keyboards are useful for small children or learners with special needs, for example, offering pictures or symbols as an alternative to the alphabetic keyboard.
concept map (concept mapping)	Software for creating diagrams, graphic organisers, webs and concept maps to visually represent concepts and relationships between concepts.
content free software	A term now more frequently referred to as productivity and communication software or applications. Such applications provide the user with tools to create and edit content in the form of text, presentations, publications, images, music and web pages, etc. Productivity and communication applications which are web enabled rather than run from software residing on a computer are frequently categorised as web 2.0 applications.
control technology	Robotics programming, usually comprising programming tools and construction kits. The user can build models and constructions and add functionality or movement to these models using the programmable brick. The brick has a sensor which can be programmed to respond to changes in light, sound, motion etc.
creative commons	creative commons, a non-profit organisation has devised a system and associated tools that allow authors, scientists, artists, and educators easily mark their creative work with the copyright freedoms they want it to carry. For example, the creator can use creative commons to change the copyright terms from "All Rights Reserved" to "Some Rights Reserved." Creative commons fill in the gap between full copyright, in which no use is permitted without permission, and public domain, where permission is not required at all.
cursor	A flashing pointer which shows the position where text or other material can be input in the application the user is working on. The cursor can be moved with the arrow keys or the mouse.
data projector	An output device that projects an image that displays on a computer screen onto a large screen, so that the audience such as a classroom of students can see the image clearly.
database (database software)	Software that is used to create databases. A database is an electronic file where information is organised so that it can be easily accessed, managed, and updated. A database is made up of records, and records are made up of fields.
datalogger	A self-contained data-collection device that includes a sensor, battery and interface. Most of these devices can also be connected to a computer and the data transferred.
datalogging	A process of using a computer or graphing calculator and sensors to collect and analyse data and present results. Data logging is commonly used in scientific experiments and in monitoring systems. Examples of the types of information a data logging system can collect include temperatures, light intensities, heart beat, electrical currents, pressure and changes in states of matter.
digital camera (digital stills camera)	A camera that stores still images digitally onto a memory card or DVD rather than recording them on a film. Once a picture has been taken it can be printed directly using a photo printer or downloaded to a computer for editing. Most modern digital stills camera may also record very short video clips.
digital divide	Digital divide refers to the gap between those with regular, constructive access to digital and information communications technology, and those without this access. It refers to both physical access to the technology and skills associated with its use.
digital format	A recording format in which information is stored as a series of numbers, allowing exact duplication of the original information.
directories	A directory is the organising system for files. A web directory is a directory on the web that categorises and links to other websites. It is not a search engine in that it does not use key words to categorise.
discussion forums (dicussion boards, discussion groups)	Online services that allow registered users with common interests to post messages, questions and responses on the Internet for others to read and respond to.
DTP (desk top publishing)	Page layout software, which is used to design and create professional looking documents that contain text and graphics.
electronic communities	Groups of people with common interests communicating or interacting with each other in a virtual environment, typically the Internet, rather than in person. Electronic communities are also known as virtual communities, online communities or computer-mediated communities.
email (electronic mail)	Messages or letters sent and received in electronic form via the Internet.
exchange project	A project whereby a class in one school exchanges information or resources with a class in another school using electronic communications e.g. email or web spaces. The exchange project can be set up for different purposes, e.g. language learning or cultural exchange.
fair use guidelines	Guidelines that allow educators to use and copy certain copyrighted materials for non-profit educational purposes.
favourites	See bookmarks.
feed reader	See aggregator.
field	A category defined by a creator of a database to contain a specified type of information, such as surname, age, gender.
file formats	Formats that a file use. A file format is a particular way to encode information for storage electronically. Common graphic file formats include bmp, eps, gif, jpeg, pcx, tiff, and wmf. Common audio file formats include aif, midi, MP3, mpa, ra, ram, wav, wma Common video file formats include avi, mov, mpeg, mp4, ram, wma, wmv There are many other file formats for text, graphics, audio, video, specialised software etc
firewall	A system designed to prevent unauthorised access to or from a private network. Firewalls can be implemented in both hardware and software, or a combination of both.
flow charts	A diagram consisting of a set of symbols (such as rectangles or diamonds) and connecting lines that shows step-by-step progression through a process or system.
gantt chart	A Gantt chart is a popular type of bar chart that illustrates a project schedule.
GIS (geographic information systems)	Software for mapping data to precise map locations.
GPS (global positioning system)	Technology that provides extremely accurate position and time information based on data from multiple satellites.
graphic design software	Software for combining graphics and text to communicate an idea or concept.
graphing calculators	A scientific/engineering calculator that is able to display and analyse mathematical function graphs. Graphing calculators can display several lines of text and numbers at a time.
hotlist	See bookmarks.
HTML (hypertext markup language)	HyperText Markup Language is a language used for creating and publishing webpages.
hyperlink	See links.
icons	Pictures or symbols on the computer screen that represent documents, folders and applications.
IM (instant messaging)	A type of communications service that enables you to create a private chat room with another individual or limited group of people. Typically, an instant messaging system alerts you whenever people from your private list are online. You can then initiate a chat session with these people.
image editing (image editing software)