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Academic Advisor - A faculty and/or staff member who assists students with selecting classes/courses and making academic decisions that relate to the students’ personal, professional and academic needs and goals. Students are generally assigned to an advisor when they prepare to enroll in a college or university; and they may change advisors if necessary.
Accredited - Accreditation is a process that is used in the U.S. to "ensure that schools, post-secondary institutions, and other education providers meet, and maintain, minimum standards of quality and integrity regarding academics, administration, and related services." (U.S. Network for Education Information)
Alternative Assessment – This is an assessment where in students create an original response to a task or question. Such a response could take the form of demonstrations, exhibits, portfolios, oral presentations or essays.
Analytical Trait Scoring - Analytical Trait Scoring is a method of assigning a score or grade to a product, or work sample based on an analysis of key traits, dimensions, or characteristics that are possessed by the objects being scored. Each object is scored separately against each dimension, and from this information, a score is calculated following a formula. The score could be in the form of a simple total across each aspect of scoring, weighted total, or some more advanced algorithm, i.e. attention to audience, correct use of grammar, focus, and persuasiveness.
Applet - An applet is a miniature Java script-based program which is multi-platform compatible and is embedded in the HTML of a page. Web browsers (Firefox, Internet Explorer) are usually set up with Java virtual machines and can run applets to create interactive graphics, games, calculators and more. Applets are different from Java applications because they are more secure. They cannot access all of your computers' local resources, such as hard drive, modem, and your printer. An applet can only create a connection to the Internet from the computer that sent the applet.
Associate Degree - An associate degree is given to a student when he/she completes a program of between 2 and 3 years of full-time college work. Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degrees are granted to students who complete programs which are designed for transfer to a 4-year college or university that grants Bachelor Degrees. An Associate Degree requires at least 60 credit hours, and a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or a "C" average.
Asynchronous Communication - Communication in which the participants interact in varied time-spaces (e.g., e-mail, threaded discussions, posted homework, message boards). This also refers to the way students come into and go through an online class or program. In the synchronous process, all students in a class enroll at the same time and adhere to the same calendar for the class.
Asynchronous Learning - Asynchronous learning is a learning event in which interactions are delayed over time, allowing students to learn and participate at their own pace and from any location they wish. This could be a mail correspondence class or e-learning. Interactions are performed through the use of various technologies, such as threaded discussions.
At Risk - A student who is "at risk" is one who has not been properly served by Social Services or local educational systems and is currently at risk for educational failure due to a lack of services, negative life events, or physical or mental challenges, and other circumstances.
Authentic Assessment - An Authentic Assessment involves tasks that measure the mastery possessed by an expert. An assessment of a student's problem-solving abilities would judge how effectively a student can solve real-world type problems.
Authentic Task - An Authentic Task is a school assignment in which the outcome has real-world application. Authentic Tasks strongly resemble everyday tasks performed outside of the school setting, such as at home or at work. They require students to apply their full range of knowledge and skills. These fulfill a need for students to have a tangible result with real-world application.
Audio Conferencing - Audio conferencing is a telephone call in which more than two callers are involved in the same conversation. The third party may either be a participant in the call, or simply a silent observer without the ability to speak in the conversation. This is also known as a conference call.
Audit - An audit is an educational term used for the completion of course in which no grade based assessment is made. The "audit" grade is given to those who have chosen to forgo receipt of a letter-based grade. An "audit" grade shows that the individual has only received teaching in a subject matter, rather than having achieved a standard skill level. The word "audit" originates from Latin, meaning "he hears". In layman’s terms, this means the student has gained the experience provided by the course. Students often choose to receive an audit grade to avoid the possibility of under-performing, thus receiving a poor end grade. Or a student may simply wish to take a class for enjoyment without being graded on his/her skills. Auditing is usually an option at colleges and universities, rarely in K-12.
Average daily attendance (ADA) – ADA is "the aggregate number of days of attendance of all students during a school year, divided by the number of days school is in session during such school year." (U.S. Department of Education, 2002)
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Bachelor Degree - This degree is the basic undergraduate degree offered by four-year colleges and universities, depending upon the required program of study. A Bachelor of Arts Degree requires that a portion of the study be devoted to the arts, such as languages, literature, music, etc., while a Bachelor of Science Degree requires more mathematics and science curriculum.
Bandwidth - Bandwidth is the rate that data can be moved through a connection. Standard PC modems are generally low bandwidth, around 3,000 to 5,000 bytes per second. The highest speed lines, upon which the backbone of the Internet is built, are much faster -- easily 1,000,000 bytes per second. Bandwidth, however, is not the same as speed. If you are only attempting to transfer one byte, all the bandwidth in the world will not make it go faster. Higher bandwidth is useful when you need to transfer large quantities of data very quickly.
Behaviorism - Behaviorism is a theory which purports that learning happens when environmental stimuli trigger a response. Based on the classic conditioning theory, behaviorism is best applied to activities that reward strong performance in order to encourage a repetition of good behavior. Memorization and drill practice type instruction are supported by the behaviorism theory.
Blog – A blog is an online journal of opinion and/or information that may be accompanied by photos, graphs, or other images. Updating a blog is called "blogging"; and the person who runs the blog is known as a "blogger". The blog may be updated as often as desired with user-friendly software that makes it easy for a person with little to no technical experience. Blogs are usually arranged chronologically in order from new to old.
Broadband - Broadband is any internet connection with a much higher bandwidth than a standard modem. Broadband has no specific speed. It usually describes DSL, satellite, cable, and WiFi type connections.
Browser - A web browser is software (Internet Explorer, Firefox) used to retrieve and organize information from various resources connected to the internet. Without a web browser, the internet can only be viewed in code.
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Chat - An online chat is a type of communication that occurs between two or more people over the Internet. It is primarily a text-based instant message conversation. Other popular forms of chatting are IRC or Internet Relay Chat, voice communication programs (including VoIP), and online conferencing.
CLEP - CLEP stands for College Level Examination Program. The CLEP is a series of tests offered by colleges that allow students to show college level abilities in specific subject areas. There are nearly 3,000 postsecondary institutions that offer college credit for receiving a passing score on the examinations, reducing college costs and shortening degree completion time. CLEP tests start at $60 each. They cover a wide variety of subjects – including business, science, mathematics, history and social sciences.
Cohort - A cohort is a group of people (i.e. students) who have something in common that knits them together as a unit. For example, in the education world, some college programs admit groups of students as a cohort.
Cognitive Science - Cognitive science, the study of the mind, investigates how people learn, as opposed to what they learn. Previous knowledge and life experience help create the foundation upon which teachers are able to build effective instruction.
Cognitively Guided Instruction – This is an instructional strategy in which a teacher assesses what students already know about a subject, then builds on students' prior knowledge. Students are typically asked to suggest a way to represent a real problem posed by the teacher. Guided questions, encouragement and suggestions further encourage students to devise solutions and share the outcome with the class.
Collaborative Learning or Cooperative Learning - Collaborative learning is an instructional approach where students of different abilities and with different interests work together to solve problems, complete a project, or reach a goal.
College - Colleges are postsecondary schools that offer a variety of educational paths, usually leading to an associate, bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral degree, or other professional degree (as in law or medicine). Colleges may also serve as divisions within a university (i.e. College of Letters, Arts and Sciences).
Concentration - Large universities often organize their branches into colleges within the university. Colleges of business, agriculture, liberal arts, and journalism are all common branches in universities. In these schools, students may take courses that are narrowly focused into a specific subject area that is commonly known as a "major".
Constructivism - The constructivism theory suggests that students learn by building their own knowledge, with emphasis on hands-on experience. This theory states that the way in which a new idea is presented, along with the student's attitude, greatly affects learning. Students learn by weaving new information into what they already know.
Cookies - A cookie (tracking cookie, browser cookie, HTTP cookie) is a small piece of textual information saved in a user's computer by their web browser. A cookie has one or more name-value pairs which contain pieces of information -- such as search preferences, shopping cart contents, login data, etc. Cookies are commonly mistaken for Spyware or Ad-ware.
Correspondence Course - A correspondence course, also known as home study, is a course available to students who cannot physically attend classes or who choose this type of distance learning for other reasons. Most instructional materials are text or print-based. Assignments and grades are received by post or email. Students are generally required to schedule exams at arranged test sites under proctor supervision.
Course Management System - A CMS, or Course Management System, is the software with which educational institutions facilitate e-learning courses by centralizing all relevant materials and data. CMS grants teachers a complete tool set which allows the easy creation of content for classes. From the student's perspective, the CMS is simply the means by which teachers instruct. It can be used to distribute grades and course materials.
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Data-Driven Decision Making - Data-Driven Decision Making is the process by which decisions are made about curriculum, based upon analysis of in-classroom data and standardized testing data. This process uses data regarding quantity, quality, and function of inputs, along with how students learn, to devise new educational methods. It is based on the theory that the scientific method can be effectively utilized to evaluate educational methods.
DHTML - DHTML, or Dynamic HTML, is a technology platform which uses Markup Language (HTML) along with a scripting language, like Java, and a definition language, such as CSS, to create interactive or animated websites. DHTML allows various scripts to alter a page's language type, which changes the visual layout and function of a standard, static, HTML page after the user has fully loaded the page. DHTML can be used for things like self-updating links, automatically adjusted content, in-page applications and more.
Diploma Mill - Diploma mills are companies that sell fake academic diplomas while requiring little or no actual college-level study and without official higher education accreditation. Those who purchase a diploma mill degree often claim the degree on job resumes in order to acquire a new job or to receive higher pay and/or promotion on the current job. Diploma mills may set up fake accreditation organizations in order to appear to be legitimate colleges. They may also offer bogus transcripts that they will verify if contacted. These unethical businesses are completely profit-based; and the degrees they sell may lead to jail time, job loss and embarrassment for customers who use the fake credentials.
Distance Education - Distance education, or distance learning, involves the use of distance learning technology to enable students to study from whatever location they choose. Students from all over the world currently study at distant schools and colleges through online degree programs and online classes. Necessary tools consist of a computer with modem and an Internet connection. Once enrolled, students receive class instruction via their computers, e-mail, textbooks and related class software programs. Teachers may require students to watch live or archived lectures, listen to podcasts, complete online exams and projects, and engage with classmates on message boards or in chat rooms. Mail correspondence courses are also a part of distance education.
Doctoral Degree - A doctoral degree, also called a doctorate or Ph.D., is an academic degree that represents, in most countries, the highest possible level of education. Most countries hold the doctorate degree in the highest esteem and use it to prove that the holder is qualified to work in a specific field. The most commonly known doctorate is the Ph. D. -- Doctor of Philosophy. An example of a specific profession using it as a qualifying degree would be the Doctor of Medicine (MD) in the U.S.
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E-Learning - E-learning (electronic learning) refers to online learning, a type of distance learning that uses the computer to facilitate learning. Students generally learn through online courses and do not physically attend classes. However, they participate in discussions and class activities via e-mail, online discussion boards and chat rooms. Homework assignments may be individual tasks or group tasks achieved through online collaboration.
ECE - Excelsior College Examinations (ECE) are tests offered by Excelsior College, based in New York. Although not as widely accepted as CLEP and DSST exams, many universities will grant college credit for each test. Each exam takes three hours and costs around $235 and $335. Military personnel can take the ECEs for free.
Enrollment Advisor - Enrollment advisors are college or university employees who are in charge of managing and recruiting prospective students. Also known as enrollment counselors, an Advisor guides the new students through enrollment and registration, making sure everything is correct.
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Facilitator - A facilitator is an in-classroom teacher who allows students a more active role in their learning. Facilitators help students to connect what they learn in class with their own experiences and prior knowledge by pushing students to think outside of what they already think they know.
Face-to-Face - Face to Face is used to describe a normal or “traditional" classroom environment where students and teachers physically attend classes together, as opposed to e-learning or distance learning, where classes are attended by computer. Face to Face is often shortened to the easier "F2F".
FAFSA - FAFSA, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, is a form which may be filled out annually by any college students in the U.S. to discover if they are eligible for federal student financial aid.
First-Professional Degree - A first professional degree is an academic degree that prepares the holder for a particular profession by emphasizing competency skills along with theory and analysis. These professions are typically licensed or otherwise regulated by a governmental or government-approved body. Areas such as nursing, architecture, forestry, law, medicine, engineering, dentistry, psychology, chiropractic, accounting, podiatry, audiology, physical therapy, optometry, pharmacy, social work, religious ministry, or education, among others, often require such degrees for licensing. Professional degrees, often taken as a candidate's second degree after an undergraduate degree in an academic subject, are especially important in the United States. In the United States, many professional degrees are combined with graduate degrees, and some students undertake professional studies after graduate studies (MS or PhD). In some other countries, such as the United Kingdom, the study of vocational subjects at undergraduate level, and post-graduate qualifications outside the academic degree structure, also play a large role in professional training.
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Graduate Student - Graduate students are those who choose to continue their education after earning a bachelor's degree. Graduate students attend graduate schools and are awarded a master's, doctorate, or professional degree.
Graduate Studies - Graduate studies follow the earning of a bachelor’s degree. A graduate degree is a master's, doctorate, or professional degree.
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Hope Learning Tax Credit - The Hope Learning Credit is a nonrefundable tax credit. Tax credit is taken out of the taxes owed by a student of family, where as a tax deduction is subtracted from the income tax. To receive a Hope Learning credit, the student needs to file a federal tax return. Students or families who do not pay taxes are not eligible for the Hope Learning tax credit.
HTML - HTML stands for Hyper Text Markup Language. HTML is the common language used to create web pages, which are viewed with the help of a web browser. HTML is used in the creation of a structured document for making headers, paragraphs, lists, bullet points, etc. HTML might also be used to insert images into a page, or to create interactive pages.
HTTP - HTTP stands for Hypertext Transfer Protocol. HTTP is a protocol used for distribution of information on the web. It is used for retrieving inter-linked resources led to the establishment of the World Wide Web.
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Instant Messenger - An Instant Messenger, or 'IM', is a technology suite which allows users to send real-time text based data to other users on an internal network or on the Internet. Instant messaging (IMing) is different from e-mail types of technology because it gives users a sense of perceived synchronicity in that their messages appear almost instantaneously on each user’s computer.
Internet Service Provider - An ISP or Internet Service Provider is a company that provides customers with Internet access based on a monthly fee basis. ISPs offer everything from basic 54kbps modems to more modern cable, DSL, wireless and fiber-optic systems. The grade of access chosen is reflected in each customer’s bill at the end of each month.
Interactive Videoconferencing (IVC) - Interactive Videoconferencing, or IVC, usually refers to classes that deliver interaction and content through live television connections that feed to the televisions of each participant. This allows teachers and students in distance-learning courses to more easily engage in group discussions.
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Learner-Centered Classroom - Learner-Centered Classrooms are classes where students choose their own educational goals and projects. This type of teaching is based upon the idea that students are naturally inclined towards learning, learn at a faster pace when given real-world projects, and learn best if their teachers value and understand the important differences regarding how each individual learns.
Licensed Content - Licensed content is owned by an education agency that did not develop the content, but has made a formal agreement with the original developer to distribute said content. Teachers hired by that agency may be called upon to administer the purchased content to students.
"Less is more" - “Less is more”, in an educational context, means that the quality of education given to students is much more important that the quantity of classes available or number of students enrolled. It suggests that class content should focus on core topics which are investigated in much greater depth. Teachers are urged to prioritize topics by level of importance.
Lifetime Learning Tax Credit - Any individual currently paying tuition at a post-secondary school can claim the Lifetime Learning credit, as long as the school is eligible and the taxpayer meets relevant income guidelines. Unlike similar credit programs, students who apply for the Lifetime Learning credit are not required to be enrolled in either of the first two years of college.
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Master’s Degree - A master’s degree is earned after the bachelor’s, generally with a requirement of one to three years of graduate level enrollment. Common master’s degree types include the Master of Arts (M.A.), the Master of Science (M.S.), and Master’s in Business Administration (MBA).
Mentor - A mentor is a usually a trusted teacher, counselor or successful business person who acts as a role model or takes an interest in guiding the education or career of a student. There is no license or certification necessary to be a mentor; but experience and success in one’s career field often qualify an individual to act as a mentor, especially to a student who is following the same career path.
Metacognition - Metacognition is a thought process that students experience in order to understand and regulate their own learning. The student must review their current knowledge, search for gaps and plan ways to fill them, while judging the relevance of new data and how it affects their beliefs.
Multi-District Online Program - Multi-district online programs are distance-learning programs administered by more than one school district. This is not the same as a single district program that accepts students from other districts.
Multi-User Environments - Multi-User Environments, or MUDS, allow people to interact in large simulation networks (i.e. World of Warcraft) for the purpose of role playing.
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Netiquette - Netiquette, or net etiquette, is the set of social rules and conventions that govern an individual’s online interactions with other web users around the world. Netiquette applies to e-mails, social networking, instant messages, chat rooms, forums, role playing and anything that relates to interactions on the Internet. Because of the constantly changing state of the Internet, netiquette continually fluctuates to encompass all necessary fields.
Non-traditional Student - A non-traditional student is generally an adult learner who returns to school following a period of absence from educational pursuits. This student often juggles a full-time job and family responsibilities, along with school assignments. Non-traditional students usually return to school to enhance their careers – whether by acquiring additional job-related training, pursuing a new career path, or earning an advanced degree for job promotion. Online school is tailor-made for most of these students and allows them to continue their current job and family schedule while meeting educational goals.
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Online Classes - Online classes are ‘attended’ by each student through individual Internet connections in off-campus locations. Course information is generally accessed through class web pages; books and materials may be ordered online; and instruction takes place over the Internet. Instructors are available by e-mail, through message boards, and/or during online office hours by computer. Students communicate with one another in live or archived chat-room sessions and on message boards.
Online Learning - Online learning, also known as e-learning, is what occurs when a student is enrolled in online classes that are ‘attended’ via the Internet. Application and enrollment are usually available online; and all instruction, homework assignments and exams are generally handled online.
Online Learning Program - An online learning program uses distance-learning technology to provide instructional content via web browsers. Online learning programs are generally offered by online schools and traditional colleges and universities to facilitate their online degree programs and online classes. These programs are also valuable to public and private schools in supplementing in-class learning.
On-Site Mentor - An on-site mentor is a person dedicated to helping students succeed in their online courses by providing one-on-one assistance. Also known as a "surrogate nag" or site coordinator.
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Performance Assessment - A performance assessment occurs when a student's performance abilities are placed under direct observation, allowing for a systematic study of the student's abilities based on pre-established criteria of evaluation.
Portal Site - A portal site is a website built around the online courses offered by an e-learning organization. It may offer additional program information, course listings and schedules. It may also have built in services such as a help section or online registration/enrollment.
Primary Sources - A primary source is where essential class materials for an online course are directly available to the online student via Internet connection.
Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) - A prior learning assessment is an evaluation of a student’s knowledge, allowing that student to gain college credit towards graduation. Students are assessed based on a portfolio that documents any college-level education gained by independent study or experimentation.
Private Institution – This refers to a private school that is controlled by either one individual or by a company. Private institutions normally receive funding from private investors or donors; but they may also receive some federal assistance.
Proctored Exams - Proctored exams are tests taken while being directly monitored by an authorized faculty member, or other adult. Some distance-learning courses require that students take proctored exams to insure that there is no cheating. Most certification exams are proctored, i.e. nursing.
Public Institution - A public institution is a school that is run by publicly elected administrators and receives financial support from public funds.
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Quarter - A quarter is the academic term for one fourth of the school year, where in the school calendar is divided into four sections as per the quarter system. In a trimester system, the school year would be divided into three sections.
Quarter Hour - Students earn one quarter hour for each hour they spend in a class during that quarter. Quarter hours are a form of college credit.
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Registration – This refers to a single student signing up to take a course in an online or traditional program. (Registration is distinguished from enrollment, which means that a student is counted by a school towards the school's share of state FTE funds.) Schools generally count and report "course enrollments" as full time, half time, or partial time; this is important information for determining the funding base.
Recognized - Recognition indicates that a school has been granted approval from a separate organization. This term has different meanings in different places.
Registrar - The registrar is the school official, at most colleges, who maintains student records and is responsible for the verification and validation of school admission applications.
Rolling admissions – Rolling admissions is a year-round admissions procedure. Many schools only admit students once or twice a year. A school with rolling admissions considers each application at the time it is received. Many non-traditional schools, especially ones with non-resident programs, have rolling admissions.
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Seamless Technology - Seamless technology is technology that, when used for the purposes of an online course, is easy to use. It must be intuitive; yet it cannot be the focus of the class. Instead, it should be a tool that aids students in their learning experience. Many online courses now require that students are familiar with working in the online environment in order to help create a seamless, or transparent, environment.
Section 508 - Section 508 was created to knock down barriers in information technology (IT), allowing people with disabilities to have more opportunities and encouraging new technology to be developed for the goal of aiding the disabled. Section 508 applies to all Federal agencies.
Streaming Video - Video that is sent to a user via Internet, where the user's computer downloads the video in sections, allowing said user to instantaneously view the content without waiting for the entire video to download. Other examples of streaming media are telephone, television, and radio. In each of those situations, data is never permanently downloaded, allowing the device presenting the media to continue without delay.
Syllabus - The syllabus is a timeline and summary of all topics that will be studied in a given class. Syllabus is Latin for "list" and is a mispronunciation of the Grecian Sittybos. Usually the syllabus is prepared by the teacher in-charge of the given class.
Synchronous Communication - Synchronous communication is a form of communication that occurs instantaneously in real-time between two or more parties (i.e. phone, Internet chat), as opposed to communication over time, such as by way of ground-based mail.
Synchronous Learning - Synchronous learning is any kind of learning that occurs in a simultaneous real-time environment -- for example, when all students in a class must attend at the scheduled time, whether on campus or via the Internet.
System Requirements - System requirements are the hardware and software requirements that must be met in order for the given program to run properly on a computer. They may include CPU speed (generally in gigahertz or GHz), operating system, language, Internet connection speed, and amount of RAM (Random Access Memory) in the computer.
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Teacher - In education, this is one who teaches students or pupils a course of study, a lesson plan, or a practical skill, including learning and thinking skills. There are many different ways to teach and help students learn. This is often referred to as the teacher's pedagogy. When deciding what teaching method to use, a teacher should consider students' background knowledge, environment, and learning goals, as well as standardized curriculum as determined by the respective school district.
Telecommunication - The science of information transport using wire, radio, optical, or electromagnetic channels to transmit and receive signals for voice or data communications by electrical means.
Teleconferencing - Teleconferencing happens when two or more groups of people in different places communicate as one group with telephones, computers, or televisions.
Terminal Degree - A terminal degree is generally known to be the highest accepted degree in most countries. An example of a terminal degree would be a doctorate degree, such as the Ph. D., which is the most well-known terminal degree.
Threaded Discussion - A threaded discussion is an electronic discussion (such as one via e-mail, e-mail list, bulletin board, newsgroup, or Internet forum) in which the software aids the user by visually grouping messages. Messages are usually grouped visually in a hierarchy by topic. A set of messages grouped in this way is called a topic thread or simply "thread". A discussion forum, e-mail client or news client is said to have "threaded topics" if it groups messages on the same topic together for easy reading in this manner.
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Undergraduate Student - Undergraduate students are those who have completed enough college to earn either an associate or bachelor's degree. Graduate students are students who have gone on to pursue their master's or higher degree. In some education systems, such as Britain, a master's degree is still an undergraduate degree.
UNESCO - The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, commonly known as UNESCO, is a specialized agency of the United Nations established in 1945. Its purpose is to contribute to peace and security by promoting international collaboration through education, science, and culture in order to further universal respect for justice, the rule of law, human rights and fundamental freedoms proclaimed in the UN Charter.
University - A university is an institution of higher education and research, which grants academic degrees in a variety of subjects. A university provides both undergraduate education and postgraduate education. The word university is derived from the Latin “universitas magistrorum et scholarium”, roughly meaning "community of teachers and scholars."
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Video Conferencing - Video conferencing is a form of communication where users with computers and web cams communicate using both audio and video over the Internet or via internal network connections. Typically, users are separated geographically.
Virtual – Virtual generally refers to being something in practice, though not in actual fact, as in a virtual computer-based environment that simulates togetherness, i.e. where students engage in a variety of online activities, such as group projects and class discussions.
Vocational Education - Also known as Vocational Education and Training (VET), this is a form of education where students study in specialized fields that are non-academic. Vocational education is often called either trade school or technical education. Vocational schools usually include topics such as HVAC, auto mechanics, and motorcycle mechanics.
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Web-Based Training (WBT) – Web-based training, also known as e-learning, is training that is acquired by way of an online virtual teaching environment, where students and teachers interact by way of chat sessions and group projects.
Whiteboard - Shared whiteboards are electronic work spaces shared by co-workers. Everyone currently participating in the whiteboard can draw, paste pictures or add text. All users immediately see what all other users are doing on their individual workstations. Each user can make a printout or save the whiteboard contents to a file for reference.
Whole Language - Whole language is a term used to describe a philosophy in which the focus is applied to reading in a wider context. Reading is taught as a part of each student's everyday life, incorporating pre-existing language and life experience, as opposed to reading being taught as simply a mechanical skill. Language, reading, and writing are all seen as parts of the philosophy of "whole language".