C. Distance Learning Definitions

• Author: Rebecca Purdom - Greg Brandes - Karen Westwood
• Pages: 97-98

97

Appendix C

Definitions

(1) “Asynchronous” means “not at the same time.” An asynchronous course is one in which the

instruction is delivered at one time and the work can be done at a different time. In asynchronous

classes, students and teachers use e-mail, discussion boards, listservs, wikis, and other technologies

that allow them to communicate without having to be in the same virtual or physical space at the

same time.

(2) “Class” means an individual one-time offering of a course.

(3) “Chat” means a synchronous, interactive text-based tool that allows two or more participants to

hold a written conversation.

(4) “Course” means a focused body of instruction offered by an education provider. A course may be

made up of one or more classes.

(5) “Delivery Mode” means the primary method or technology used to deliver instructional information

to the student and used for communication between the instructor and the students. Delivery

methods may include streaming video or web-based synchronous systems to individual computers

or group-gathering sites, interactive asynchronous systems, or static post systems.

(6) “Distance Learning” means learning that takes place when the instructor and student are separated

by space and/or time. The gap between the two can be bridged using technology such as

videoconferencing and online technology.

(7) “Discussion Boards” means online web tools that allow multiple users to post asynchronous

comments to single or multiple conversations.

(8) “Learning Management System” means online classroom portal through which faculty and students

access information, learning material, and course activities.

(9) “Listservs” means mailing list program for communicating with other people who have subscribed

to the same list. Using e-mail, you can participate in listservs pertaining to your topics of interest.

When you submit a message to the server, your message is relayed to all those on the listserv. You

receive messages from other participants via e-mail.

(10) “PC-based Videoconferencing” means online video technology that allows two or more people to

participate synchronous conversations from individual PC stations. Conferencing tools may be

video and audio, or only audio.

(11) “Post” means the act of adding a piece of information to a website, discussion board, wiki page, or

other common online group site.