ICT Glossary

A
Android
Android is a Linux-based operating system designed primarily for touchscreen mobile
devices such as smartphones and tablet computers.
App
APP is an abbreviation for application, usually refers to a software for a specific device
or purpose.
Application
A computer software designed to help you perform a specific task.

B
blog
a regularly updated website or web page, typically one run by an individual or small
group, that is written in an informal or conversational style.

Browser
A software program which provides access to web pages pages, e.g., Internet Explorer,
Mozilla Firefox, etc.

C
Cascading Style Sheets (CSS)
Cascading Style Sheets are a feature of HTML that enables a range of styles for headers,
body text, bullet points, links etc.

CD-ROM
An abbreviation for "Compact Disc Read-Only Memory." A computer with a CD-ROM
drive is needed to read this kind of disc.

CMS
Abbreviation for Content Management System, a software package that makes it
possible for non-technical users to publish content (text, images, etc) on a website.

D
Digital literacy
Is the ability to use technology to find information, evaluate sources, create content,
and communicate with others effectively. It's a skill set used to navigate the new
technological paradigm in which society operates.
E
eLearning
eLearning (sometimes E-learning) encompasses all forms of technology enhanced (or
enabled) learning (TEL) whether that happens on campus or at a distance. Learning &
teaching is mediated through ICT services and hardware. This will include computers,
tablets, mobile devices and handheld devices. It also includes services supplied by the
University such as Moodle and Google Apps as well as external services which are not
directly controlled by the University.

Educational Technology
is the field of study that investigates the process of analyzing, designing, developing,
implementing, and evaluating the instructional environment, learning materials,
learners, and the learning process in order to improve teaching and learning.

G
Google Apps
Google Apps is a Web-based and collaborative Software as a Service (SaaS) solution that
customizes the proprietary Google platform and brand for businesses of all sizes,
including large enterprises.

Google Products
Google products include all major desktop, mobile and online products released or
acquired by Google Inc.

H
HTML
HyperText Markup Language (HTML) is the main markup language for displaying web
pages and other information that can be displayed in a web browser.

I
ICT
Abbreviation for Information and Communications Technology.

iOS
iOS is Apple's mobile operating system.

iPad
The iPad is a tablet computer designed and developed by Apple. It is particularly
marketed as a platform for audio and visual media.
Internet
a global computer network providing a variety of information and communication
facilities, consisting of interconnected networks using standardized communication
protocols.

N
Network
A collection of computers and other hardware interconnected by communication
channels that allow sharing of resources and information.

M
- (of art, education, etc.) using more than one medium of expression or communication.
Noun: the use of a variety of artistic or communicative media.

P
Panopto
Panopto is the University wide solution for capturing video and audio content for
teaching, learning, research, and iTunes U.

Podcast
Pre-recorded audio or video files delivered via RSS feed onto the internet, and which
can be played back through a computer or digital players such as iPods, MP3s, etc.

Proxy Server
An online tool (also known as a gateway) which is applied to a private network (e.g., the
University of Waikato) to re-direct its own users to selected websites (e.g., our
subscription databases).

Q
QR Code
QR is short for Quick Response and is a two dimensional bar code which can be read
quickly by a cell phone or tablet device with a camera and QR reader application. They
can be printed on paper or displayed on a screen and are used to encode small amounts
of information such as a website URL, GPS location, product information or other useful
short text.

S
Software
A generic term describing all kinds of computer programs, applications and operating
systems.
T
Technology
The application of scientific knowledge to the practical aims of human life or, as it is
sometimes phrased, to the change and manipulation of the human environment.

V
Virtual Private Network
VPN (Virtual Private Network) is a remote access technology that allows you to connect
to the University’s network using any internet connection - Worldwide.
vlog
a personal website or social media account where a person regularly posts short videos.

VPN
Virtual Private Network

W
Web access
the process of connecting to the internet. using personal computers, laptops or mobile
devices by users or enterprises.

Web Quest
A WebQuest is an inquiry-oriented online tool for learning
wiki
a website that allows collaborative editing of its content and structure by its users.

Wireless (Wifi)
A way of transmitting information without cables that is reasonably fast.

World Wide Web

Usually referred to simply as the Web. This is the most powerful and fastest growing
Internet service.
an information system on the internet which allows documents to be connected to
other documents by hypertext links, enabling the user to search for information by
moving from one document to another.

WYSIWYG
Acronym for What You See Is What You Get, refers to what you see on the screen.