Technology Vocabulary

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Acceptable Use Policy (AUP)

Back 1

school's policy for use of school resources, especially school computers and the Internet; must be signed by students and parents

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bookmark

Back 2

a time-saving Internet feature to keep an address or URL you wish to return to later

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hardware

Back 3

the physical parts of a computer

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input device

Back 4

translates information into a form that the computer can understand, i.e., keyboard, mouse, scanner, digital cameras

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local area network (LAN)

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a network in which the computers that are connected are close to each other, many times within the same building or campus

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output device

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translates processed information into a form that the we can understand, i.e., monitor, printer

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software

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the programs that instruct the computer to do certain jobs

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browser

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short for Web browser, it is an application program that allows useres to "browse," display, and navigate through the information on the World Wide Web; browsers are capable of displaying both graphic and text; other common browsers include Safari, Internet Explorer and Firefox

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database

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software that produces a collection of data organized according to some structure or purpose; can manipulate data in a large collection of files (the database), cross-referencing between files as needed

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email

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electronic correspondence used as a motivational tool for practicing reading and writing skills through activities such as E-Pals or Key Pals (similar to penpals)

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multimedia

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software that combines multiple types of media such as text, graphics, sounds, animations, and video into an intergrated product

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spreadsheet

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software based on the traditional accounting worksheet that has rows and columns that can be used to present, analyze, and compile data

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word processing

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software designed to make the computer a useful electronic writing tool that edits, stores, and prints documents

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Delete key

Back 14

a key on the keyboard used to delete characters to the left of the cursor

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cursor

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an indicator used to show the position on a computer monitor

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bar graph

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a type of graph that uses vertical or horizontal bars to represent data

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cable

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wire used to carry electricity

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Caps Lock

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a key on the keyboard that capitalizes all letters when pressed

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CD-ROM drive (Compact Disc-Read Only Memory)

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the component that reads information from the CD-ROM

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chat room

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a virtual room used to communicate in real time with other people

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compact disc (CD)

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a digitally encoded disc used to store information, can be read using a CD-ROM drive

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computer

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a machine that stores and reads information

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computer virus

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a destructive code that spreads from computer to computer, capable of damaging software

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CPU (central processing unit)

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the microprocessor or "brains" of the computers

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emoticon

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symbol used to show emotion in an electronic message

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Enter/Return

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a key on the keyboard used to complete a command or move down to the next line

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fan

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the primary source of cooling your computer

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graph

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a diagram used to represent data

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hard drive

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the component that reads and writes data to a hard drive, stores information

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HTML (hypertext markup language)

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a programming language used to create documents to be viewed on the Internet

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Internet

Back 31

a worldwide network connecting millions of computers

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keyboard

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a hardware device consisting of buttons (keys) that the user presses to type characters into a computer

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laptop

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a portable computer small enough to use on one's lap

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line graph

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the type of graph in which lines are used to connect points

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modem

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this device transforms a computer's digital data into analog data for transmission over phone lines, then reconverts the data to digital

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monitor

Back 36

a video display that takes signals from a computer and displays information onto a screen

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mouse pad

Back 37

a flat pad, coated with foam rubber, designed to provide an optimum surface on which to use a mouse

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mouse

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a hand-operated data input device that moves the cursor on a computer screen

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motherboard

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the computer's main circuit board, connecting and enabling the operation of all of the components of the computer

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netiquette

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the term for appropriate behavior on the Internet

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network

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two or more computers connected with wires that have the ability to communicate

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pie chart

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a chart in which a circle is divided into sections, and each segment represents certain data

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plagiarism

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to copy a piece of writing and use it as your own (illegal)

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power supply

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the component that supplies power to your computer

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printer

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a device that prints text or graphics on paper

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RAM (random access memory)

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memory that can be deleted or created at anytime

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research

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to study a specific subject in detail

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ROM (read only memory)

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memory that cannot be deleted

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search engine

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a website designed to search the Internet for a particular topic (examples include Google and Yahoo)

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Shift

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press and hold this key, then press another key to make a capital letter

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software

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a program designed for use on computers, examples include Microsoft Word, Mavis Beacon and Kid Pix

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spam

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an unwanted message that is considered junk mail

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speaker

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a piece of electronic equipment used to play sound

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Tab

Back 54

a key on the keyboard that indents a line of text when pressed

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tower

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a style of computer system in which components are arranged in a tall, narrow cabinet

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URL (uniform resource locator)

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a website address on the World Wide Web

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Website

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a site on the World Wide Web including a home page and various links containing information maintained by a group, company or individual

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World Wide Web

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a network of documents on the Internet using HTML

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technology

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is the usage and knowledge of tools, techniques, and crafts, or is systems or methods of organization