Online Education Terms...

Some of the terms used in Online Education, are the following:


Asynchronous Cohort System

Allows students to enroll at any time and proceed at their own rate. This is also called, "continuous enrollment."

Asynchronous Communication

Communication in which the participants interact in the varied time-spaces (e.g., e-mail, threaded discussions, posted homework, message boards). This also refers to the way students come into and go through an online class or program; in the synchronous process, all students in a class enroll at the same time and adhere to the same calendar for the class. average daily attendance (ADA)
ADA is "(i) the aggregate number of days of attendance of all students during a school year; divided by (ii) the number of days school is in session during such school year." (U.S. Department of Education, 2002)

Course Management System (CMS)

The technology platform through which online courses are offered. A CMS includes software for the creation and editing of course content, communication tools, assessment tools, and other features designed to enhance access, communication, and ease of use. Also called an LMS, or Learning Management System, or Virtual Learning Environment (VLE).

Cyber Charter School

Similar to a brick-and-mortar charter school but instruction is primarily delivered over the Internet.

Cyberschool And Digital School

An online learning program in which students enroll and earn credit towards academic advancement (or graduation) based on successful completion of the courses (or other designated learning opportunities) provided by the school. In some states, many cyberschools are charter schools. NOTE
These schools may or may not provide content that is standards-based, and may or may not be accredited (sometimes referred to as "virtual school")

Discussion Groups

Groups formed usually for a particular topic or theme using computer conferencing software or listservs. An example of discussion groups are UseNet groups.

Distance Education

This term refers to any learning that occurs when the teacher and the student are separated by distance or time. Teaching from a distance requires special techniques of course design, instructional techniques, and methods of communication by electronic and other technology, as well as special organizational and administrative arrangements. Course credit and graduation diplomas awarded are considered equivalent in standard and content to a face-to-face program. Classes may include any or all types of media and access technology, and are generally classified based on the predominant mode of delivery. Distance Education originally was book-based and was typically known as "correspondence" schooling.

Full-Time Equivalent

The number of students at a given institution if every student were full-time. "Full-time" status is determined by the institution according to the total number of credit hours a student takes.

Homegrown Content

Original, online course content developed by the education institution. The teacher developing the content may or may not be the teacher of record who delivers the online content to students. This sort of offering may or may not meet state standards

Interactive Videoconferencing (IVC)

Courses in which content delivery and interaction are primarily through live television hook-ups (see synchronous below) connecting a teacher to groups of students on-site and in distant locations. (see http://www.netc.org/digitalbridges/resources/glossary.html for specific IVC terms.)

Online Classes

Primary means of content delivery is via text and other media on the Internet, and in which the primary means of communication is through email, group discussion bulletin boards, chat rooms, file transfer and attachment, etc. Online students may read material online, or may print hard copies.

Online Learning

Instruction and content are delivered primarily via the Internet. Online learning is a form of distance education.
Online Learning Program
An educational organization that develops and offers online instruction and content. An online learning program may be a cyberschool, or it may provide supplementary learning opportunities for students enrolled in physical schools or cyberschools.

On-Site Mentor

Person designated by an institution to provide face-to-face support to students taking online courses (sometimes referred to as a "surrogate nag. Person serving in the Mentor role may also be known as the Site Coordinator.)


From: http://www.netc.org/digitalbridges/online/glossary/