Glossary

ABC DEF GHI JKL MNO PQR STU V W  

C

Cd - Roms

(Compact Disc Read - Only Memory). Like music CDs, but may contain information in the form of text, graphics, sound and moving video that can be accessed through a computer. They can store about 650 MB (megabytes) of data and are often used to 'back up' files and store images (e.g. from a digital camera)

 

Computer Aided Design (CAD)

CAD can create more realistic and accurate models than can be drawn with a pencil and paper and these objects can be manipulated more easily. Computer Aided Manufacture (CAM) The use of computers to control manufacturing processes. Industrial examples of this range from an electronic knitting machine which produces a garment from a pre-stored program to a fully automated car assembly plant. Often linked directly to CAD to enable designs to be directly manufactured.

 

Control technology

Computer programs or equipment used to control mechanical and electronic devices. Everyday devices are controllled by computers. Computers can be used to monitor change in environmental conditions such as temperature, light and sound. Why do we need control technology? Weather forecasting, room temperatures, street lights and sound proofing. 

 

D

 

Data handling, databases

Data handling is working with, and drawing conclusions from, collections of related information (datafiles) stored in a database.

Databases are used in everyday working life, eg. in banks and supermarkets, on internet sites, and in hospitals, offices and police stations. Schools have a database of details of all children in the school. This data is entered into a database and stored on computer for fast and accurate access as a computer search is far quicker than having to search through paper-based records.

 

Data logging

Using sensing technology to observe and record information over a period of time, either manually or by computer. When using an electronic datalogger, data can be stored and a graph or table generated automatically and instantly. Electronic dattaloggers can record far more accurately and quickly thatn a human (100 measurements per seconds) and for longer periods.

 

Desktop publishing (DTP)

The combining of text, graphics and layout to produce a finished document.

 

Digital Camera

Records photographs in an electronic form that enables the user to transfer them to a computer to store, change or incorporate them into other files.

 

Digital sound or images

Computers store information in a digital form which allows accurate repeated reproduction, unlike audio or tape photocopies which become copied several times. Sounds and images stored in this way can be easily edited and manipulated. These files can sometimes be "compressed ", using specialist software, to reduce the amount of storage space they require.  

 

E

 

E-mail (electronic mail)

Allows the user to send and receive messages from one computer to another over any distance.

 

F

 

Floor turtle /robot

A device that can be programmed to move forwards and backwards and to turn, or to perform a task or sequence of tasks. Some are independent; others can be connected to a computer.  

 

G

 

Generic software

The most common forms of computer software such as word processors and spreadsheets.

 

Geographic Information System (GIS)

A computer-based mapping system. Maps, including Ordnance Survey, linked to associated databases, e.g. census surveys.

 

Graphics Tablet

A device connected to a computer that enables the user to create pictures on screen by hand using a stylus.

 

Graphics (Vector and Bitmap)

Computers store images in a variety of ways. These generally fall into one of two categories. They are bitmap or vector graphics. A picture can be stored as a simple copy of the original. This is a collection of very small rectangles, rather like making a picture by colouring individual squares on graph paper, called a bitmap image. If it is enlarged, the small rectangles are simply made bigger and the image loses its sharpness. Some computer programmes save pictures as vector images. In this case the picture is stored as a series of instructions so that every time the picture is enlarged it is effectively redrawn. Vector images can be enlarged without any loss of detail.

 

Graphing Software

A computer programme that allows the entry of information, such as a traffic count or the results of a hedgerow survey, and will produce graphs of different types and scales (e.g. pie, bar, scattergram) as selected by the user.

 

H

 

Hypertext/hot links/hyperlink

Text and images which, when clicked on, display other related information. These are widely used on the Internet and CD-ROMs to simplify the selection of further information.

 

I

 

Icon

A small picture which represents an action or object. Icons are used on computers to represent commands. A small picture of a printer may be used to represent the "print" command. Selecting the icon with a mouse and clicking on it will command the computer to print.

 

Integrated Learning System (ILS)

Software package which combines curriculum content in tutorial format with a management system to monitor and record the progress of the learner.

 

Internet

A global telecommunications network enabling computers around the world to share information.

 

Intranet

Similar to the Internet, but restricted within an organisation, e.g. a school or local authority. Most Intranets contain gateways to the wider Internet  

 

J

 

Joystick

A device connected to a computer to control actions on screen, e.g. in computer games. Can have a similar function to a mouse.

 

L

 

Logo

A computer programming language that can be used, for example, to create and manipulate shapes and patterns on screen or to control a screen or floor turtle.

 

M

 

Modelling

Using a spreadsheet or other software to explore the effect of changing variables in a given scenario. Computer modeling is usually done to examine how things will work in real life

 

Multi-media

Information consisting of text, graphics, sound and moving video.

 

Multi-media Software (authoring tools)

A computer programme which allows the user to create documents which contain text, pictures, sound and video. Some word processors and presentation software can be used for this purpose.

 

N

 

National Grid for Learning (NGfL)

A developing collection of resources brought together on the Internet to help raise standards in education and to support lifelong learning.

 

Network

Computers that are connected together and can communicate with each other or share resources such as computer programmes or data.

   

P

 

Presentation Software

The use of computer software to create slides similar to those used on an overhead projector, except that the display can include text, sound, still and moving images. Slides are prepared in advance, can be edited and are stored in the correct sequence.

 

Programmable Toy

Often in the form of a floor turtle or robot. Any toy which can be programmed with a set of instructions.  

 

S

 

Satellite Imaging

Many satellites transmit photographic images which can be used in a variety of ways, e.g. tracking the progress of a hurricane. Images can be received, stored and viewed on a computer.

 

Scanner

Works like a small photocopier, but the image can be displayed on a computer screen, saved to disk or printed out. Most scanners will take up to A4 size.

 

Search engine/facility

Most CD-ROMS and the Internet have search engines. These are facilities which allow the user to search for information without having to look through a whole index or catalogue and are generally based on keywords and logical operators.

 

Sensing Technology (including remote sensing)

Equipment which can be connected to a computer, and which will record and display information from sensors e.g. light, sound, movement or temperature. Some sensing equipment can be used to collect data away from the computer, but be linked to the computer later to display the recordings made.

 

Server

A powerful computer which is central to many networks. The server will control access to the network, and will store most files centrally. Internet web pages are held on the service provider's web server.

 

Simulations

Computer programmes which simulate real or imaginary scenarios. Often used to simulate events which would normally be impossible, difficult or dangerous.

 

Spreadsheet

Useful when working with numbers. A powerful piece of softwarethat can perform many calculations and draw charts. Examples of use include planning a meal, calculating profits, working out wages or keeping scores. Spreadsheets can be told to calculate certain cells and to update the totals automatically if the data in the cells change. The way this is done is by entering a formula or formulae. 

 

T

 

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.

 

Text Art

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

 

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.

 

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.   

 

V

 

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. 

 

W

 

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 capacity.

 

World Wide Web

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