Online Learning - Frequently Used Terms
As an online learner, you’ll encounter some new terms and words. The following list and definitions may help you.
- Asynchronous
- Students communicate with each other or their instructor “off time,” such as through email or discussion boards.
- Chat Room
- The Chat Room feature allows students to communicate with each other and the instructor synchronously, in “real-time.”
- Discussion Board
- The Discussion Board feature allows students to communicate with each other and the instructor asynchronously, or at “off times” from each other.
- Electronic mail or email is a message sent to one person or many via a computer. Messages are sent and viewed at the user’s convenience.
- Gradebook
- The gradebook feature allows students to check their grades and chart their progress. Grades are automatically recorded in the student’s gradebook after a quiz or exam has been submitted, but grades may not be recorded immediately if the instructor needs to manually grade an assignment or exam.
- Syllabus
- A syllabus is a document reflecting course expectations, requirements, and learning tasks.
- Synchronous
- Students communicate with each other and their instructor in “real-time,” such as in an on-campus classroom or in a chat room.
- URL
- Uniform Resource Locator (URL) is the address or location of a web site. For instance, the URL for Online Learning is www.mchenry.edu/online