Glossary of terms : I - M

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I

icon – in a graphical user interface, a small symbol or picture on the computer screen, for example representing a software package or a data file. The user clicks or double-clicks on the icon to start the package or open the file.

information and communications technology (ICT) – application of modern communications and computing technologies to the creation, management and use of information. (also a national curriculum subject)

information super-highway – usually used to mean a broadband network capable of transferring very large amounts of information, including video, still images, audio and text, at high speed between remote users. See also Internet.

information technology (IT) – see information and communications technology.

input device – device which is capable of sending information to a computer system, such as a keyboard, mouse, touch screen, switch, sensor, scanner or microphone.

install – to copy all the files of a software package on to a computer and make any changes needed to existing files so that the software then works. Installation or set-up programs do this for users.

integrated learning system (ILS) – computer-based system with a diagnostic capability that monitors and manages the delivery of curriculum material to students so that they are presented with individual programmes of work.

integrated package – software package, a suite of applications which have a consistent interface and include a word processor, spreadsheet and database, bundled together. Other software may be included, such as graphics and communication modules. Data can be transferred easily between the applications.

Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) – a digital connection to the telephone exchange. This allows for shorter dial-up times than analogue phone lines, and higher data transfer rates. See terminal adaptor.

interactive video (IV) – computer linked by software to a video system which allows the user to control a video disc and explore the information on that disc; choices can be made about the order in which the exploration takes place.

interface – equipment or software which enables a user to communicate with the system they are using, for example, a menu or icons on a screen (see graphical user interface). Also any join between items of hardware or software, such as connections with printers or access devices.

Internet – also known as the ‘net’, the inter-communicating computer networks which host and provide access to the Web, file transfer, email, news and other services.

Internet Protocol (IP) – set of communication standards which control activity on the Internet. An IP address is the number assigned to any computer connected to the Internet, and is the only way in which information sent through the Internet can find its way to that computer. It is a number of the form A.B.C.D where each letter represents a number from 0 to 255, e.g. 193.63.56.222. See also domain name system.

Internet Service Provider (ISP) – organization with a direct connection to the Internet acting as an intermediary for other users, providing them with email addresses, access to the Web, and often space on Web servers for home pages etc.

intranet – common name for a local network set up to serve a closed group such as a school. Often it will include a Web server, which contains pertinent information such as school documents, bulletin boards, health and safety information etc.

J

joystick – input device with a stick which can move to control the movement of a pointer on screen. The stick has a press switch which has the same action as the mouse ‘select’ button.

JPEG – ‘Joint Photographic Experts Group’, JPEG is a lossy image-compression format which greatly reduces the size of the image file. It is best suited to photographic-type images.

K

kb, kB – kilobit, kilobyte, see kilobyte.

kbits/sec – unit of measurement of data transfer speed; 1024 bits per second.

keyboard – typically the primary means of text input for computer users. Most computer keyboards are arranged in the traditional QWERTY layout (see QWERTY). Older PC keyboards connect by a 5-pin DIN plug. Newer models use a PS/2 or USB connection. Specialized types, for example with bigger or smaller keys, or keyguards fitted, are available.

keyboard emulator – device attached to, or software run on, the computer which enables switch users to use standard software. A grid of numbers, letters and symbols represents the keyboard. The user selects required characters by scanning the grid with switches: these characters are sent to the program being used.

keyboard short cuts – The keyboard can be used for most functions on a computer. Short cuts such as Ctrl+S will save a document. Ctrl+P will print a document. You will find short cuts listed in the menus for programs you use. These short cuts can be extremely useful for pupils with some difficulties, e.g. visual impairment or physical difficulties. Short cuts can be programmed into an overlay for an overlay keyboard, or presented in an on-screen grid for easy access.

keyboard repeat – the rate at which the computer will repeat a key press if you hold the key down. For pupils with severe and complex needs it can often be useful to turn off the keyboard repeat completely, to avoid kkkkkkkkkkk, as pupils may hold down a key for a long time. This can be done in the Keyboard Control Panel.

keyboard stickers – small stickers that can be placed on the keys to increase access. Often lower case letters, or of an increased visual contrast.

keyguard – rigid frame placed over a keyboard or overlay keyboard. It is raised above the keys and has holes in it to allow access to the individual keys through the holes. With a keyguard, users with poor fine motor skills may access the keyboard more accurately. An overlay keyguard works in the same way for use with an overlay keyboard.

keypad – input device which has letters, numbers or symbols on it, like a small keyboard. Numeric keypads allow only numbers to be entered.

keyword – particularly associated with ‘free-text’ databases, an important word within text which is marked to ease retrieval. A search using a keyword will display each individual record containing it.

kilobyte (kB) – unit of measurement of storage capacity; 1024 bytes.

L

laptop computer – portable computer, small enough to carry around and use on a lap.

laser disc – see video disc

link – see hyperlink

liquid crystal display (LCD) – thin flat screen used in portable computers, digital cameras and watches where space is at a premium.

list server – automated email distribution system, one method of supporting discussion groups using email. The list is of email addresses of everyone who has joined the group (known as subscribers). A message posted to the group is sent to the list server which copies the message to every subscriber on its list. Each subscriber finds a copy of all the new messages from the group waiting in their mail. Also known as a ‘mailing list’. Many such lists are relevant to and subscribed to by teachers, such as SENCo forum and SENIT.

local area network (LAN) – communications system linking computers within a restricted geographical area such as a building or campus. This also allows computers to share information and resources.

Logo – simple programming language which allows the user to give instructions to a computer in ordinary language, using words and numbers rather than codes. In its simplest form (turtle graphics) it allows the user to control the movements of a screen turtle.

M

macro – often-repeated sequence of actions which can be defined and named by the user of some applications software so that they can set the sequence going in one step by calling the macro up by name. Sometimes a macro can be programmed by example, storing the user’s actions as they occur.

mailing list – see list server.

mail server – these are the computers your ISP provides for the transfer of email. When you send an email, your email program will upload the message to your ISP’s outgoing email server. This will check the recipient address, and send the message on towards its final destination. When an email is sent to you, it makes its way to your ISP’s incoming email server. When you check for new mail, your email software asks the incoming email server if anything new has arrived. If it has, the message is downloaded to your computer.

Mbits/sec – one million bits per second.

megabyte (MB) – 1024 kilobytes or 1048576 bytes.

megahertz (MHz) – see clock speed

memory – Encompasses all the areas used by a computer to store information. Includes the long-term storage area used to hold programs and information files (usually the hard drive). Its meaning is sometimes restricted to the ‘random access memory’ (RAM), the computer’s temporary working store, which can hold very large amounts of data and manipulate it very quickly, but will not retain it when the power is switched off; for that, it must be saved to the hard disc. Some forms of storage are ‘read-only’ (ROM), with information which has been recorded during manufacture and cannot then be altered or erased, e.g. CD-ROMs.

menu – list of options from which a user can select in order, e.g. start a program, open a file.

MIME – ‘multi-purpose internet mail extensions’ – messaging standard for email attachments.

mini keyboard – reduced-size keyboard. Useful for those with limited finger movement.

model – a representation of a real or imagined situation governed by certain rules which are managed by a computer program. The rules, or data can be changed by the user and the outcome of the changes viewed on the computer screen.

modem – ‘modulator-demodulator’. An interface between a computer and a telephone line, to allow connection to other computers (the Internet). The modem’s baud rate determines the maximum speed at which it can transfer data - the faster, the better. Special interfaces are required for connection through digital lines e.g. ISDN or ADSL. See terminal adaptor.

monitor – screen used with a computer, also known as a VDU (visual display unit).

motherboard – main printed circuit board (PCB) in a computer, which holds the principal components. See also central processing unit.

mouse – small, moulded plastic box with clickable buttons on top and a rolling ball or optical sensors underneath, moved by hand across a flat surface to control the screen pointer. It enables the user to access menus and to select and move words or other objects around the screen. Alternatives to the mouse include touch screens, rollerballs and joysticks.

MouseKeys – Found in the Control panel, MouseKeys allows you to move the mouse pointer and operate the buttons with the numeric keypad on the right side of the keyboard. This can be useful for pupils who cannot operate the mouse. Mousekeys functions can also be programmed into an overlay or on-screen grid for easy access. The functions may be assigned to separate switches, if a pupil can cognitively and physically cope with five or more switches.

mouse pen – input device shaped like a thick pen and with a ball on the end. It behaves in the same way as a mouse when run over a flat, soft surface.

mouse pointer – see pointer.

MPEG – ‘Moving Photographic Experts Group’, an international standard for storing digitized video in compressed form.

MS-DOS – see DOS

multimedia – combination of moving images, graphics, text and sound. A multimedia computer is fitted with hardware such as sound and ‘accelerated’ video cards and a CD-ROM drive, and may include peripherals such as a camera, microphone and scanner.

multimedia software – software that allows the presentation of moving images, graphics, text and sound. Content-free multimedia software allows you to create your own activities using any of these functions.

multi-sensory environment – an area, usually a room, assigned for a range of electronic and non-electronic devices such as lights, sounds, vibrations, etc. Often used for the assessment and teaching of pupils with profound and multiple disabilities.

musical instrument digital interface (midi) – device which allows the interchange of signals between a computer and any musical device fitted with midi such as a music synthesizer.

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