Technology Terms to Know

INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNOLOGY TERMS

 

 

ADDRESS BAR - A name used to describe the text box used to enter a website’s address in a browser.

 

 

APPLICATION (APP) - Application is synonymous with Program. Abbreviated as app, This shortened version of application became popular with the Apple iPhone.

 

 

ATTACHMENT - A file sent with an e-mail message. An attachment can be a picture,

a word document, a movie, a sound file, an excel document, or any other file that

requires another program to open it.

 

 

AVATAR - An icon or digital image used to represent one's self in an on-line discussion.

 

 

BLOG (WEBLOG) - A listing of text, images, or other objects that are arranged in chronological order.  They are maintained and run by a single individual, updated daily, or contain random personal remarks about a topic, a personal ramble, an update on the person's life or their current feelings. Many weblogs are like a personal journal, diary or a look into another individual's life and can be a great way to learn about people, events, places, and much more from millions of people around the world.

 

 

BOOKMARK - A method of saving a web page's address.

 

 

BOOT - the process of powering on a computer and getting into the operating system.

 

 

BROWSER - A software program that allows a person to explore the Internet in an easy to use way. Navigating the Internet through a series of links the user can browse the Internet. Examples of popular browsers are Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, and Opera.

 

 

CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT (CPU) - The brain of the computer.  The computer CPU is responsible for handling all instructions it receives from hardware and software running on the computer.

 

 

CITE (CITATION) - Used to describe the process of quoting or mentioning an author, book, passage, or website when referencing or backing up an argument, especially in school work.

 

CLICK - A term used to describe the action of pressing a mouse button (usually the left mouse button if the mouse has two buttons) one or more times.

 

 

CLICK-AND-DRAG - a term used to describe the process of clicking on a portion of the screen, and while continuing to hold the mouse button, dragging the mouse to another portion of the screen and selecting anything in between the drag.

 

 

CLOUD - A term used to describe services over a network by a collection of servers. These computers or cloud of computers enable the users visiting to have access to much faster computers or servers, be able to access programs and services from anywhere with Internet access often without having to install other software, and get access to the services from any device capable of reaching the network or Internet.

 

 

COPYRIGHT - Protection for any published work that helps to prevent that work from being used without prior permission.

 

 

CREATIVE COMMONS - A nonprofit organization that helps provide a flexible copyright for creative work.

 

 

CURSOR - The arrow-like icon on the desktop that moves with the mouse, showing where the mouse is pointing.

 

 

CYBER - A prefix often used to describe computers, electronics, the Internet, or anything in the virtual world.

 

 

CYBERBULLY - Someone who posts inappropriate or rude things about a specific person or otherwise harasses that person on the Internet, in e-mails, through IM's, or though other digital formats such as text messages on a cell phone.

 

 

DATABASE - A large quantity of information that can be searched, referenced, compared, changed or otherwise manipulated without much work.

 

 

DEFAULT - What the computer, operating system, or program has set for the user based off of what it believes is the best option.

 

 

DELETE - Remove a file, text, or other object from the computer hard drive or other media.

 

 

DESKTOP - A system of organization of icons on a screen.

 

DESKTOP COMPUTER - A type of computer that fits on or under a desk. Unlike a laptop, a desktop computer is a stationary computer that remains at a desk.

 

 

DEVICE - Any internal or external hardware peripheral that attaches to a computer to send, receive, or process data. For example, a printer is an example of a device, although more appropriately referred to as a peripheral.

 

 

DOCK - A bar located at the bottom of the Apple computers running Mac OS or iPads that allows quick access to programs you frequently use as well as running programs and files.

 

 

DOCUMENT - An electronic copy or hard copy of reference material for a product. To write and create an electronic document on a computer use a Word Processor or other text editor. Once a document has been created it can be made a hard copy by using a printer to print that document.

 

 

DOWNLOAD - The process of retrieving data from another computer.

 

 

DROP DOWN MENU - Sometimes referred to as a pull-down menu, drop down list, or drop down box, a drop down menu is a menu that appears when clicking on a button or text selection. This generates a new menu with additional options.

 

 

E-MAIL – Short for electronic mail.  A way to send messages to people over the Internet.

 

 

FAIR USE - A limited use permitted by copyright law, allowing the use of copyrighted material for certain purposes, such as for research, commenting, etc.

 

 

FILE - An object on a computer that stores data, information, settings, or commands that are used with a computer program.

 

 

HARDWARE - A device that is physically connected to your computer or something that can be physically touched.

 

 

HYPERLINK - An icon, graphic, or text in a document that links to another file or object.

 

ICON - A tiny picture representing a program or file that, when clicked on, will be run or opened.

 

IMPORT - The process of moving data or settings used in one program to another.

 

 

INPUT - Any information or data that's entered or sent to the computer to be processed.

 

 

INPUT DEVICE - A piece of equipment, such as a keyboard, used to enter information into a computer.

 

 

INTERNET - A huge collection of computers around the world.

 

 

KEYBOARD - The set of typewriter-like keys that allows you to enter information into a computer.

 

 

LAPTOP - A portable computer that with the same abilities as adesktop, but is small enough for easy mobility.

 

 

LOG OFF - The process of disconnecting from a network.

 

 

LOG ON - The process of connecting to a network or a software program that utilizes a network identification. The sign on process requires that the user specify the username and password.

 

 

LOGIN - The process users must complete to gain control of a computer, network, bulletin board or other service that requires authorization. Most logins require that the user enter his or her username and password.

 

 

MENU - A list of commands or choices offered to the user.

 

 

MONITOR - A video screen for showing text and images.  

 

 

MOUSE - A device that controls the movement of the cursor or pointer on a display screen.

 

 

OUTPUT - Any information that has been processed and comes from a computer or computer device.

 

 

OUTPUT DEVICE - A piece of equipment, such as a printer, monitor, or speaker, that presents information from a computer to a user.

 

 

PRINTER - A device that prints text or images on paper. 

 

 

PROJECTOR - An output device that can take the display of a computer screen and project a large version of it onto a flat surface.

 

 

PUBLIC DOMAIN - The free use of the work or object without any restrictions.

 

 

SEARCH ENGINE - A software program or script available through the Internet that searches documents and files for keywords and returns the results of any files containing those keywords.

 

 

SOFTWARE – A collection of instructions that enable the user to interact with a computer or have it perform specific tasks for them.

 

 

TOUCHPAD - An input device found on the majority of portable computers that allow you to move the mouse cursor without the need of an external mouse.

 

 

UPLOAD - A term used to describe the process of transferring (sending) a file to another computer through a modem or network.

 

 

WEB PAGE - A document that is accessible through the Internet or other network using a browser. A web page is accessed by entering a URL address and may contain text, graphics, and hyperlinks to other web pages and files.

 

 

WINDOW - A section of the computer's display that shows the program currently being used.

 

 

WORD PROCESSOR - A software program capable of creating, storing, and printing documents.

 

 

WORLD WIDE WEB – A part of the Internet.  A collection of millions of pages of information. This information can include text, pictures, animations, sounds and video, and it can be about anything.

 

 

 

Many more computer terms and definitions can be found at: www.computerhope.com/jargon