Online Update of the Statewide Technology Inventory Glossary of Terms - SY12-13
Georgia Department of Education,
Office of Technology Services
Online Update of the
Statewide Technology Inventory Glossary of Terms - SY12-13
This page contains definitions of all of the terms that are used throughout the Statewide Technology Inventory, including descriptions of what types of computers are to be counted in each of the categories.
Administrative Computers
Computers used by administrative or student support staff in main offices, principals’ offices, media specialists’ work areas, guidance counseling offices, etc. Students have no access to these machines.
Classroom
The primary, physical space where any number of students are regularly scheduled to receive instruction. These spaces include mobile instructional areas, even if they are detached from the school’s main building (i.e., mobile units). These spaces may also include auditoriums, cafeterias, and even closets IF teachers and students are permanently scheduled to meet there for the purposes of instruction for the entire school year. Classrooms can resemble labs in that they may contain many computers. However, the difference between a classroom and lab is the way students are scheduled in the space, not the number of computers. A classroom is the primary, regularly-scheduled meeting space for teachers and students. A lab is a place that students and teachers leave their regularly-scheduled meeting place to visit. A room that does not have teachers/students regularly-scheduled during this school year is not to be counted as a classroom for this survey.
Data/Video Projector
A specialized projector with its own, internal lighting source that hooks to a computer monitor or another visual display device and projects the image displayed by that monitor or display device on a movie screen. Such devices are commonly used in presentations. Data/Video projectors can use either Digital Light Processing (DLP) technology, developed by Texas Instruments or light-crystal-display technology (LCD). LCD projectors are distinguished from LCD panels in that they have their own light source; whereas, LCD panels borrow an overhead projector’s light source. LCD projectors should be counted in this category. LCD panels should not.
Desktop and Laptop Computers
A computer is a programmable machine designed to sequentially and automatically carry out a sequence of arithmetic or logical operations. The particular sequence of operations can be changed readily, allowing the computer to solve more than one kind of problem. General guidance is given by the Federal government for what to count for desktop and laptop computers:
Computers Younger than 5 years old should be able to:
· Support the use of current word processing, spreadsheet, multimedia presentation, database, and graphic organizer software;
· Support current anti-virus and security software;
· Connect to the building’s network and sharing network resources such as servers, printers, and connections; and
· Effectively access multimedia contents such as network and server-based videos and streaming video.
Computers 5 years and older should be able to:
· Access the Internet; and
· Support the use of basic word processing, spreadsheet, multimedia presentation, and database software.
Digital Camera
A camera that captures and stores still images as digital data instead of on photographic film.
Digital Video Camera
A type of video recording system that works by using a digital rather than an analog video signal.
District Demark
The point where the state-funded network router for Internet Access is located in the district.
Document Camera
Document cameras, also known as image presenters, visual presenters, digital visualizers, digital overheads, and docucams, are real-time image capture devices for displaying an object to a large audience. Like an opaque projector, a document camera is able to magnify and project the images of actual, three-dimensional objects, as well as transparencies. They are, in essence, high-resolution web cams, mounted on arms so as to facilitate their placement over a page. This allows a teacher, lecturer, or presenter to write on a sheet of paper or to display a two or three-dimensional object while the audience watches.
Estimated Internal Network Bandwidth
Estimated internal network bandwidth of the school’s LAN. Options are:
None
10 = 10 Mbps – Ethernet
100 = 100 Mbps – Fast Ethernet
1000 = 1 Gbps – Gigabit Ethernet
10000 = 10 Gbps – 10 Gigabit Ethernet
11 = 11 Mbps – Wireless 802.11b
54 = 54 Mbps – Wireless 802.11g
600 = 600 Mbps – Wireless 802.11n
999999 => 10 Gbps
Estimated Internet Bandwidth
Estimated internet bandwidth dedicated to this facility. Options are:
None
10 = 10 Mbps – Ethernet
100 = 100 Mbps – Fast Ethernet
1000 = 1 Gbps – Gigabit Ethernet
10000 = 10 Gbps – 10 Gigabit Ethernet
11 = 11 Mbps – Wireless 802.11b
155 = 155 Mbps – OC3
2 = <2 Mbps – ADSL/T1/DS1
2500 = 2.5 Gbps – OC48
44 = 44 Mbps – T3/DS3
54 = 54 Mbps – Wireless 802.11g
600 = 600 Mbps – Wireless 802.11n
622 = 622 Mbps – OC12
9600 = 9.6 Gbps – OC192
999999 => 10 Gbps
Ethernet
Ethernet is the most widely-installed local area network (LAN) technology. Specified in a standard, IEEE 802.3, Ethernet was originally developed by Xerox and then developed further by Xerox, DEC, and Intel. An Ethernet LAN typically uses coaxial or special grades of twisted-pair wires. Ethernet is also used in wireless LANs. A 10/100 Ethernet port supports two speeds: 10 Mbps (10Base-T) and 100 Mbps (100Base-T). Computers also come with 10/100/1000 ports, which includes Gigabit Ethernet at 1 Gbps (1,000 megabits). Ethernet devices negotiate with each other and transmit at the highest speed possible.
Gbps
A measure of data transfer speed. Short for “gigabits per second.” A gigabit is equal to one billion bits.
Instructional Computer
A computer used by students for instructional purposes. These are most often located in classrooms, media centers, and instructional labs.
Interactive Slate
An interactive slate gives you the functions of an interactive whiteboard within a wireless tablet in your hands. The screen size is typically around 10 inches and is pen driven. It allows you to control your computer while roaming around the room so that you have more interaction with your classroom. The input data from the slate will simultaneously display on both your computer screen and the interactive whiteboard or a projection screen for all to see.
Interactive Whiteboard
An interactive whiteboard (IWB) is a large interactive display that connects to a computer and projector. A projector projects the computer’s desktop onto the board’s surface where users control the computer using a pen, finger, stylus, or other device. The board is typically mounted to a wall or floor stand.
LAN
Local Area Network; a group of computers networked to share resources, confined to a small geographic area (often a single building).
Linux
Linux is a Unix-like operating system that was designed to provide personal computer users a free or very low-cost operating system comparable to traditional and usually more expensive Unix systems. Linux has a reputation as a very efficient and fast-performing system. Linux’s kernel (the central part of the operating system) was developed by Linus Torvalds at the University of Helsinki in Finland.
Netbooks
Netbooks are a smaller notebook optimized for low weight and low cost – netbooks omitted certain features (e.g., the optical drive), featured smaller screens and keyboards, and offered reduced computing power when compared to a full-sized laptop. Netbooks range in size from below 5” screen diagonal to 12”. A typical weight is 2.2 pounds.
Operating System
A computer program that controls the components of a computer system and facilitates the operation of applications.
Portable Media Players
MP3 player that has the capability to connect to the Internet, portable gaming devices (i.e., iPod Touch, Zune, Sony PSP, Nintendo DSi).
School Demark
The point where the network router for Internet Access is located in the school.
Student Response Device
A Student Response Device is a learning technology with potential applicability in classrooms. This technology is designed to provide interactive communications between individual students in a class and the teacher. The hand-held remote control that students use to convey their responses to questions is often called a “clicker.” This survey captures each individual device – not by a set.
Tablets
Devices that are not laptops or pocket sized and are primarily used for accessing multimedia content and have the option to access the Internet. They are larger than a mobile phone or personal digital assistant, integrated into a flat touch screen and primarily operated by touching the screen. It often uses an onscreen virtual keyboard, a passive stylus pen, or a digital pen, rather than a physical keyboard (i.e., iPad, Samsung Galaxy Tab, BlackBerry PlayBook, Cisco, Cius).
Thin Client/Virtual PC
A network computer without a hard disk drive, which, in client/server applications, is designed to be especially small so that the bulk of the data processing occurs on the server.
Ultrabooks
An Ultrabook is a higher-end type of subnotebook defined by Intel. Ultrabooks are designed to feature reduced size (less than 0.82 inches thick) and weight (usually less than 3.3 lbs.) without compromising performance and battery life. They use low-power Intel processors with integrated graphics and unibody chassis to fit larger batteries into smaller cases. Some models have limited external ports (e.g. USB) due to their extremely thin profile.
Wireless
Describes a computer network where there is no physical connection (either copper cable or fiber optics) between sender and receiver, but instead are connected by radio.
Georgia Department of Education
Dr. John D. Barge, State School Superintendent
January 28, 2013 • Page 1 of 5
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