Glossary
Whether you are a student or an instructor involved with online learning at Cuyahoga Community College, you will run into words and expressions that may be new to you, or used in unfamiliar ways. Not to worry, we've compiled this handy glossary of common online learning terminology to help demystify the language of online learning. While this list is not exhaustive, it can help you make sense of the vocabulary and be better prepared for choosing the right program for you. This list is updated regularly, so check it whenever you come across a term or expression you are not familiar with!
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
| A | ||
| ADA | The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. www.ada.gov | |
| Asynchronous Distance Learning | Asynchronous distance learning occurs when the instructor and student interact in different places and during different times. | |
| B | ||
| Blended Course | Blended courses blend online and face-to-face classroom instruction. Students participate in face-to-face classroom instruction with a faculty member and other course activities in the virtual environment. | |
| Breadcrumbs | A sequence of text links on the current page of a website or web-based application, usually at the top, showing the page's location within a hierarchy of content or browsing history and providing a convenient navigational tool. | |
| C | ||
| Certificate | A certificate is a focused program of study that typically prepares you for a very specific occupation or job. | |
| Cloud Computing | The practice of using a network of remote servers hosted on the Internet to store, manage, and process data, rather than a local server or a personal computer. | |
| D | ||
| Dashboard | A page, portal, or menu that provides links to key information and useful tools on a website, application or other software. | |
| Degree | A degree program carries a title (an associate, bachelor's or master's, for instance) and can prepare you for a variety of short- and long-term jobs and career paths. | |
| DB25 | Course Code for blended with 25% asynchronous online and 75% synchronous with scheduled on-campus meeting times. | |
| DB50 | Course Code for blended with 50% asynchronous online and 50% synchronous with scheduled on-campus meeting times . | |
| DS25 | Course Code for online 100% with 25% asynchronous and 75% synchronous with scheduled live web meeting times on specific days and times. | |
| DS50 | Course Code for online 100% with 50% asynchronous and 50% synchronous with scheduled live web meeting times on specific days and times. | |
| DWB | Course Code for online 100% asynchronous with NO synchronous scheduled live web meeting times. | |
| DWS | Course Code for online 100% synchronous with scheduled live web meeting times– these courses will be taught online with the expectation that students will participate in synchronous live web classes on specific days and times. The days/times are listed. Your instructor will share with you how to access the live web class meetings. | |
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| H | ||
| I | ||
| J | ||
| K | ||
| L | ||
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LMS |
Learning Management System. A software application for the administration, documentation, tracking, reporting and delivery of educational courses or training programs. By Spring 2025, Tri-C is transitioning from Blackboard Learn to D2L's Brightspace as its LMS. | |
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LTI |
Learning Tools Interoperability. An initiative managed by the IMS Global Learning Consortium to seamlessly integrate learning applications used by instructors into their courses. | |
| M | ||
| MEET | Course Code for On-campus with set meeting times – these courses will be taught on-campus with set meeting times throughout the semester. The days/times are listed. Whenever on campus, students will be required to wear face coverings and practice safe distancing. | |
| MOOC | Massive Open Online Course. A free web-based distance learning program that is designed for the participation of large numbers of geographically dispersed students. A MOOC may be patterned on a college or university course or may be less structured. | |
| N | ||
| Netiquette | Proper or polite behavior on the internet. | |
| O | ||
| OER | Open Education Resource. Freely accessible, openly licensed documents and media that are useful for teaching, learning, and assessing as well as for research purposes. | |
| Online Course | Online courses allow students to complete all course requirements without coming to a Tri-C campus. Students engage with their faculty member and other students, complete assignments, and participate in instruction all via the Blackboard Learn LMS. *Tests may be online or in a suitable proctored environment. | |
| P | ||
| Podcast | A digital audio file made available on the Internet for downloading to a computer or mobile device, typically available as a series, new installments of which can be received by subscribers automatically. | |
| Q | ||
| R | ||
| S | ||
| Screen Cast + Audio | Records the screen as video, including the mouse cursor and mouse actions, and audio from a microphone. | |
| Screen Cast + Video | Records the screen as video, including the mouse cursor and mouse actions, the webcam as video, and audio from a microphone. | |
| Section 508 | Section 508 refers to a statutory section in the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (refer to 29 U.S.C. 794d). Congress significantly strengthened Section 508 in the Workforce Investment Act of 1998. Its primary purpose is to provide access to and use of Federal executive agencies’ electronic and information technology (ICT) by individuals with disabilities. The statutory language of Section 508 can be found at www.section508.gov. | |
| Slideshow + Audio | Records the screen as discrete slides and audio from a microphone. The mouse cursor and mouse actions are not recorded. | |
| Slideshow + Video | Records the screen as discrete slides, a webcam as video, and audio from a microphone. The mouse cursor and mouse actions are not recorded. | |
| Synchronous Distance Learning | Synchronous distance learning occurs when the instructor and students interact in different places but during the same time. | |
| T | ||
| U | ||
| V | ||
| Video Conference | A conference in which participants in different locations are able to communicate with each other via audio and video. | |
| Virtual Office | A business location that is simulated by telecommunications and computer links. | |
| W | ||
| Web Enhanced Course | Web-enhanced courses utilize technology to supplement the traditional face-to-face classroom. A large number of Tri-C courses utilize the Blackboard Learn LMS to provide 24/7 access for students to course materials, grades, and more. | |
| Webinar | A live seminar or presentation conducted over the internet, allowing participants in different locations to see and hear the presenter, ask questions, and participate in polls. It may be recorded by the presenter and made available as a video for future viewing. | |
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