Glossary of Terms

Academic Course Guide Manual - Manual of all approved academic courses for the state of Texas. Includes developmental and ESL courses. Available on the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Site.

Accreditation - The process used in U.S. education to "ensure that schools, post-secondary institutions, and other education providers meet, and maintain, minimum standards of quality and integrity regarding academics, administration, and related services." (U.S. Network for Education Information, n.d.)

Articulation - provides a seamless transition to students moving from one level of education to another by matching curriculum to reduce duplication of course content. Articulation agreements exist between LSCS and various universities, independent school districts, private secondary schools, community education courses, and other training and certification entities. The agreements allow students to earn college credit for competencies outside of the traditional community college classroom.

Adult learners - Self-directed and goal-oriented persons who bring life experiences into the classroom; primarily working adults with families, attending school for additional education.

Blackboard software - Software used to provide instruction at a distance and allow learners to access courses online. Students and faculty interact with each other through this system (i.e., post assignments, provide feedback, chat).

Catalog - An academic publication that lists all programs, majors, degrees and course requirements for program completion. Academic policies, guidelines and course descriptions are provided in the catalog.

Competency-Based Education - An educational program designed to teach applied and/or job related clusters of skills, knowledge and attitudes, as well as expected performance levels required for successful employment within a defined job or cluster of jobs. The skills are collaboratively defined by educators, business, industry and labor and form the basis upon which a student is evaluated.

Course Management System - Also shortened to "CMS." The software, usually web-based, used by colleges and universities, as well as corporations and government, that facilitates distance learning by centralizing the development, management, and distribution of instructional-related information and materials.

Discussion Groups - Groups that are normally formed by a Facilitator with specific topics for learners or participants to contribute to via computer mediated technology.�

Distance learning - A method of receiving instruction, lectures, and studying via technological services (e.g., computer, TTVN, WebCT); computer-mediated instruction or televised instruction; a form of learning with limited face-to-face interaction.

eLearning - Referring to distance or online learning

Facilitator - Another word or title commonly used for Online Course Instructors

Face to Face Course These are also called traditional courses. It is an on-campus lecture course that can be supplemented with Internet-based educational technology to enhance teaching.

Netiquette - Netiquette is a combination of two words, Internet and Etiquette. It refers to necessary and appropriate behavior that occurs online when communicating via the Internet (http://www.netc.org/digitalbridges/online/glossary/).

Major - The students academic area of study

Online - The activity of being connected by a computer; a connection to the World Wide Web. Connection can occur via computer or via cell (telephone or Palm Pilot).

Online Registration - This varies from school to school from downloading a registration form then mailing it in, to filling out a form online then the school hand-entering information to filling out a forms online and automatic processing through student information systems.

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools - The accrediting body in eleven U.S. Southern states, including Texas, for those post-secondary degree granting institutions that award associate, bachelors masters or doctoral programs.

Self-paced course - A self-paced course is a course that's taken at your convenience, at your own pace. Most self-paced courses display information in small amounts which allow you to learn the information in "bite-sized" chunks. In this way, you progress through the material in a pace suited to your needs. In addition, you can repeat lessons as many times as you want, reinforcing the material until you have a solid understanding of it. (http://www.elementk.com/lmnk/catalog/popup_key.asp?n=spc)

Semester - Normally includes, Fall, Spring and Summer. It is the timeframe in which academic study takes place.

System Requirements - Includes technical software needed in order to successful access online classes.

Transcripts - An official copy of the student�s complete academic record accumulated at Lone Star College System. Transcripts can be requested through MyRecords Web site.

Traditional learning - A method of receiving instruction that takes place face to face on a traditional college campus. The majority of course instruction occurs in a classroom with an instructor present.

WebCT - A very popular component used to allow online instruction. Faculty can interact with a distant classroom and communicate to students through this platform.

Web delivery - Web delivery consists of myriad technological resources to connect via the Web and reach out to others globally. Web delivery technology includes live chat sessions. People worldwide can interact and communicate live via this method. Video and teleconferences can connect people who are hundreds of miles away from the instructor and other students. Students may also interact with the instructor and other students.

Withdrawal - To officially drop or discontinue attending a course (See course catalog for process and procedures)