NEA: NEA Today - Wired for Teachers

Your crib sheet to the latest tech lingo.
Mouse-over each term to view definition.

Applet

n. Small computer program included in a Web page to perform a simple, specific task.

Example:
An ad for a movie plays when you click on a Web site.

Beaming

v. Transfer of data from one PDA to another using infrared light. Students in some classrooms beam questions or writing samples to each other during collaborative work sessions.

Blog

n., v. [Widely used shortened version of "web log."] Online publishing forum. Most ?bloggers? use it as a type of online journal, to which they may add photos and sound or video clips.

Bluetooth

n. Short wireless connection that links mobile phones, computers, and handheld devices to one another or links a wireless keyboard to a monitor. Why you care: Eliminates long phone wires and shares information between gadgets.

Digital Camera

n. Electronic device that digitizes images. Does not require film or film development, making it a handy tool for classrooms.

Data Storage Device Chain

n. These handy, inexpensive tools?which can be as small as a key.

NOTE: this device plugs into a slot (called a USB port) on the side of your computer, allowing backup of all files. (Computer crashes? No problem!) The gadget can also be used to move files from one computer to another.

Data Projector Chain

n. Device that takes a signal from a computer, TV, or video source and produces a large image using projected light.

FTP Sites

n. Short for ?file transfer protocol,? it?s a method on the Internet for exchanging files.

Example: An entire textbook could be loaded onto a host FTP site. Students could then access it from their computers at home by logging onto the site and entering a password.

Instant Messaging or IM-ing

v. Communicating electronically and immediately with one or more users who are online simultaneously. Typically, the instant messaging system alerts you whenever somebody on your private ?buddy? list is online.

iPod

n. A portable digital audio player (also called a handheld media player) designed and marketed by Apple Computer that stores data, such as songs or video, on a built-in hard drive. See also, podcast.

Multitasking

v. Typically what you do on daily as you teach and manage your classroom, but in this case we?re talking techno-multitasking. It?s combining two or more devices into a single product, such as the new digital still camera that also acts as a Webcam and camera for videoconferencing.

PDA

n. Also called a ?handheld? or ?personal digital assistant,? this palm- sized data storage device lets users store electronic calendars, contact lists, memos, and more. Also used in classrooms with software that lets kids solve math problems, write, etc.

Podcast

n. A file, usually audio, published on the Internet, available for people to download and listen to, similar to an on-demand radio program. Gets its name from iPod, which many people use to listen to audio programs.

Smartboard

n. Forget chalkboards, this interactive board lets users project a Web site onto its surface, then click through the site by tapping the board. Also called an electronic whiteboard.

SPAM, SPIM, SPIT

n. Unsolicited e-mail, voice mail, and instant messages. v. To send such messages.

Stylus

n. A pen-like pointing device used to click through screens and enter data in a PDA.

Text Messaging

v. Sending short messages to a cell phone, pager, PDA, or other handheld device. Typically, text messages are fewer than 200 characters in length.

Videoconferencing

v. Interactive communication, made possible using video and sound, that?s transmitted over telephone lines in real time.

Webcast

n. Delivery of live or delayed sound or video broadcasts using Web technologies. Sound or video is captured by conventional video or audio systems, then digitized and sent to computers on a Web server.

Applet

n. Small computer program included in a Web page to perform a simple, specific task.

Example: An ad for a movie plays when you click on a Web site.

Beaming

v. Transfer of data from one PDA to another using infrared light. Students in some classrooms beam questions or writing samples to each other during collaborative work sessions.

Blog

n., v. [Widely used shortened version of "web log."] Online publishing forum. Most ?bloggers? use it as a type of online journal, to which they may add photos and sound or video clips.

Bluetooth

n. Short wireless connection that links mobile phones, computers, and handheld devices to one another or links a wireless keyboard to a monitor. Why you care: Eliminates long phone wires and shares information between gadgets.

Digital Camera

n. Electronic device that digitizes images. Does not require film or film development, making it a handy tool for classrooms.

Data Storage Device Chain

n. These handy, inexpensive tools?which can be as small as a key.

NOTE: this device plugs into a slot (called a USB port) on the side of your computer, allowing backup of all files. (Computer crashes? No problem!) The gadget can also be used to move files from one computer to another.

Data Projector Chain

n. Device that takes a signal from a computer, TV, or video source and produces a large image using projected light.

FTP Sites

n. Short for ?file transfer protocol,? it?s a method on the Internet for exchanging files.

Example: An entire textbook could be loaded onto a host FTP site. Students could then access it from their computers at home by logging onto the site and entering a password.

Instant Messaging or IM-ing

v. Communicating electronically and immediately with one or more users who are online simultaneously. Typically, the instant messaging system alerts you whenever somebody on your private ?buddy? list is online.

iPod

n. A portable digital audio player (also called a handheld media player) designed and marketed by Apple Computer that stores data, such as songs or video, on a built-in hard drive. See also, podcast.

Multitasking

v. Typically what you do on daily as you teach and manage your classroom, but in this case we?re talking techno-multitasking. It?s combining two or more devices into a single product, such as the new digital still camera that also acts as a Webcam and camera for videoconferencing.

PDA

n. Also called a ?handheld? or ?personal digital assistant,? this palm- sized data storage device lets users store electronic calendars, contact lists, memos, and more. Also used in classrooms with software that lets kids solve math problems, write, etc.

Podcast

n. A file, usually audio, published on the Internet, available for people to download and listen to, similar to an on-demand radio program. Gets its name from iPod, which many people use to listen to audio programs.

Smartboard

n. Forget chalkboards, this interactive board lets users project a Web site onto its surface, then click through the site by tapping the board. Also called an electronic whiteboard.

SPAM, SPIM, SPIT

n. Unsolicited e-mail, voice mail, and instant messages. v. To send such messages.

Stylus

n. A pen-like pointing device used to click through screens and enter data in a PDA.

Text Messaging

v. Sending short messages to a cell phone, pager, PDA, or other handheld device. Typically, text messages are fewer than 200 characters in length.

Videoconferencing

v. Interactive communication, made possible using video and sound, that?s transmitted over telephone lines in real time.

Webcast

n. Delivery of live or delayed sound or video broadcasts using Web technologies. Sound or video is captured by conventional video or audio systems, then digitized and sent to computers on a Web server.

Example:
An ad for a movie plays when you click on a Web site.