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D

DVD-ROM

DVD-ROM is a read-only digital data storage medium that can contain any types of computer file, just like a standard computer hard disk. DVD-ROMs benefit from the increased capacity of DVDs over standard CDs but fulfil essentially the same purpose. In a learning context, CD-ROMs are typically used to store interactive self-study materials and multimedia files.

E

Electronic whiteboard

An interactive whiteboard is a writing surface which can capture writing electronically with the aid of a computer. Some interactive whiteboards also allow interaction with a projected computer image.


Email

Email is the classic means for asynchronous online communication. Emails used to be constrained to plain text, but can now be formatted using HTML (Hypertext Markup Language), allowing emails to have much of the functionality of web pages. Any type of digital file can be appended to an email as an attachment. Emails have obvious applications for tutor-learner and learner-learner contact.


F

Face-to-face large group interaction

Face-to-face large group interaction (such as a seminar or conference) is typically facilitated and run in special meeting facilities.

Face-to-face one-to-one interaction

One-to-one face-to-face interaction may be facilitated (by an instructor/coach/mentor) or unfacilitated (when two learners work together as a pair).  The interaction can take place on-job (in a work setting) or off-job (such in a meeting room).

Face-to-face small group interaction

Face-to-face, small group interaction may be facilitated or unfacilitated. It may take place in a classroom or any other setting.


Flash

Flash is an application from Macromedia (now part of Adobe), that is used primarily to add animation and interactivity to websites, without placing heavy demands on bandwidth. To view Flash in their browsers, users must have the correct version of the Flash plug-in installed on their PCs. Flash 'movies' can also be played back as stand-alone applications outside of a browser in an offline mode.

Flash is well suited to the display of interactive, multimedia educational materials.


Flip chart

A flip chart is a pad of large paper sheets on a stand. Teachers can use flipcharts to capture and present issues or concepts, to record contributions from the group, to display diagrams, etc. Groups of learners may use flipcharts to record the outputs from a syndicate group activity.

Forum

A forum (or 'notice board', 'message board', 'bulletin board') provides a means for groups to collaborate asynchronously online. Tutors and/or learners can raise new topics or 'threads' by making a posting, to which other members of the community can then respond. Forum postings are usually textual, but can include images and attachments. Forums may be used to provide technical support, as notice boards or as ways of initiating all sorts of group activities.

I

Instant messaging

Instant messaging is provided through one of a number of messaging applications (Windows/MSN Messenger, Yahoo! Messenger, Google Messenger, AOL Messenger, etc.). All parties to the discussion must be using the same messaging application. Unlike a chat room, discussion is constrained to a user's pre-defined contacts, with whom the user can communicate whenever the messaging software detects they are online.

Although most instant messaging is in text, it is becoming increasingly common for communication to be extended to voice (see 'VOIP') and picture (with the aid of a webcam).



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