Web-Based (Distance) Learning Glossary Asynchronous Distance Learning - Distance learning in which interaction between instructor and student does not take place simultaneously, allowing participants to respond at their own convenience. Bandwidth - The amount of data that can flow through a connection, usually measured in kilobits-per-second. Browser - Software which runs on your computer that allows you to access Internet web sites and resources. (e.g. Netscape and Internet Explorer) Chat Groups - On-line "conversations" over a network in which participants type comments and ideas to the rest of the group in real time and view the postings of all others as they occur. Distance Learning - Generally, delivery of education/training from one site to another. Distance learning conventionally has taken the form of workbooks or workbooks and videotape training. Today, with emerging new technologies, learning is delivered by multimedia/CD-ROM or the Internet. Firewall - A combination of hardware and software that prevents unauthorized access or damage to a secure network by filtering and separating messages from the Internet as they come in. (HTML) HyperText Markup Language - The main programming language used to create web pages. Host - A network computer that can receive information from other computers. IRC - An IRC (which stands for Internet Relay Chat) is a network or facility for on-line "conversations" in which participants type comments and ideas to the rest of the group in real time and view the postings of all others as they occur. (IRC is one example of a Chat Group.) Plug-In - A software extension that can be downloaded, usually free of charge, to add capabilities like virtual reality, 3-D, streaming sound and video and other functions and features to your web browser. Server - A computer that provides a service or function to a network, generally receiving and sending information from/to many other computers. Synchronous Distance Learning - Distance learning that takes place in real time, but in different locations, i.e., a virtual classroom. T-1 (DS1) - High speed line capable of carrying 1.54 Mbps. T-1 is the aggregation of 24 voice circuits (e.g., "phone calls"). DS1 is one big data "pipe." Threaded Discussions - - On-line "asynchronous conversations" over a network in which participants type comments and ideas to the rest of the group, and view the postings of others at their own convenience. A threaded discussion is much like an office bulletin board. "Internet News" is the largest threaded discussion network. Whiteboard - A shared whiteboard is a shared electronic workspace. Each participant can add text, make drawings or paste pictures on the whiteboard. Other participants can immediately see the result on their workstation. Each participant can make a local printout or save the contents of the whiteboard to a disk file for later reference.