Manitoba Education
Distance Learning
WBC E-Learning Glossary - Acronyms
b
Bit; abbr for binary digit, the smallest unit of data in a computer.
B
Byte; a unit of 8 bits.
BB
Blackboard; an online application used to deliver learning opportunities.
BPS
Bits per second, a measure of data transmission speed.
CD
Compact Disc.
CMC
Computer Mediated Communication; forms of online communication involving computers and computer networks.
DVD
Digital Versatile Disc, or Digital Video Disc.
F2F
Face to Face; refers to the traditional model of classroom instruction.
FTP
File Transfer Protocol; a communications protocol governing the transfer of files from one computer to another over a network.
GB
Gigabyte; 1000 megabytes.
GIF
Graphics Interchange Format; file extension for images, one of the two most popular image formats used on the web.
GUI
Graphical User Interface; the interface of an application that uses graphics instead of simple text.
HTML
Hypertext Markup Language; used to create web pages.
HTTP
Hypertext Transfer Protocol utilizing TCP to transfer hypertext requests and information between servers and browsers.
IE
Internet Explorer; Microsoft's web browser.
IP
Internet Protocol; protocol by which computers exchange data over the internet.
ISO
Independent Study Option.
ISP
Internet Service Provider.
JPG/JPEG
Joint Photographic Experts Group - sets the standard for jpg image files. Along with GIF files, the most commonly used image format on the web.
KB
Kilobyte; 1000 bytes.
LAN
Local Area Network; a network of computers that share a common communications line or wireless device in a small area.
LMS
Learning Management System.
LOR
Learning Object Repository.
MB
Megabyte; 1000 kilobytes.
OS
Operating System; software that provide an interface between computer hardware and other software.
PDA
Personal Digital Assistant; hand held device that combines computing, communication and network capabilities.
SME
Subject Matter Expert.
TB
Terrabyte; 1000 gigabytes.
TCP
Transmission Control Protocol; an Internet protocol that manages the delivery of byte stream transfer between one computer program to another.
TMO
Teacher Mediated Option.
WAN
Wide Area Network; network of computers connected over a large area.
WAP
Wireless Access Point; a device that plugs into an Ethernet switch that allows wireless computers to connect to the network.
WBC
Web Based Courses.
WEBCT
A learning management system developed by UBC. It was bought by Blackboard and many of its features have been incorporated into Blackboard.
WWW
World Wide Web; a vast network of hypertext files.
XML
Extensible Markup Language; a platform and OS independent language that can be used to enable interoperablility between systems.
ZIP
A file that contains an archive of other files in a compressed format.
