CONTACT US
SERVICES
SUPPORT
TRAINING
A GLOSSARY of TERMS
to FACILITATE UNDERSTANDING AND COLLABORATION
AMONG ALL SCHOOL BASED TECHNOLOGY USERS
INTRODUCTION:
“Most non-Assistive Technology people feel the IT and AT guys talk Greek and they don't have a desire to learn Greek. AT and IT have a common language but different focuses - like a hand surgeon and an internist. When the IT guys start talking about the network- I’ve just got to trust them. When I as an AT specialist start talking about a specific program and its quirks, they’ve got to trust me. That is not always the case. Sometimes, it could be that they don't understand the law, or it could be I don't understand how to work around their system. The bottom line is trust in the other person’s knowledge.”
Eileen Pasquini, COTA, Assistive Technology Specialist, TRE Center, Albany, NY
“Something that is important
to me is the distinction between accommodation and modification. It is
a major point to emphasize the difference between changing what is taught/done
versus changing the presentation/environment/access to the materials.”
Matthew Press, OTR/L, ATP. Email: press_m01@firn.edu
PURPOSE:
This glossary is designed to help educators and technology users of all ages and types to understand one another better and thereby create a stronger foundation for more effective collaboration.
The glossary is organized alphabetically with no separation of terms to signify which one belongs to which profession. The glossary also contains a bibliography and a list of World Wide Web resources that point the user to other glossaries and acronym lists used by sub-divisions of each profession, higher education computing lab operators for example.
For the AT and IT professionals who use these terms, their roles and functions are continually evolving in response to changes in products, laws, and approaches to reaching and teaching all children. Therefore, the authors of this glossary will of necessity need to continually update its content.
Please help us keep this document current by sending your terms, definitions, responses or corrections to: david@trecenter.org and visit this site frequently for updates to this and other resources.
AAC
This acronym stands for "alternative augmentative communication"
or "alternative and augmentative communication." The terms describe
both a method of communicating which does not depend on human speech and
the communication devices used by people who have speech impairments to
generate synthetic speech and/or visual displays. AAC devices may be non-electronic
or electronic. 2
Achievement:
1. The ability to demonstrate accomplishment of some outcome for which
learning experiences were designed.
2. A goal that has been set and reached, e.g. a completed project, or
the documentation of a level of ability and/or qualification. As with
any goal, an achievement should be measurable 2
.
Achievement Gap:
1. The historic and continuing difference in achievement levels between
different student population groups (particularly by race, poverty, primary
language spoken in the home and disability).
2. The difference between proficient performance and what students are
achieving; the difference between where you want students to be, and where
they actually are. 1
ADA
The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (PL 101-336), which prohibits
employers from discriminating against people with disabilities and makes
such discrimination a civil rights violation. One feature of the ADA is
that it requires an employer to make "reasonable accommodations"
if these are needed to enable a person with a disability to do a job for
which he or she is qualified. In some cases, assistive technology may
fall under the heading of "reasonable accommodation." Providers
of public services, schools, public buildings, and public transportation
systems also may not discriminate; their facilities and services must
be accessible to people with disabilities. 2
Adapted / Adaptation
An adaptation is a modification made to a device, service or program which
renders it usable by or appropriate for a person with a disability. At
school, a standard curriculum or lesson may be adapted, for example, to
better meet the needs of a special education student. A car may be adapted
with hand controls, so a person whose legs are impaired may drive. A computer
may be adapted, so a person who has no fine motor control can use the
machine. A toy may be adapted so a child with a disability can enjoy and
learn from its use. A device, program or service that has been modified
is referred to as "adapted." Thus, we have adapted computers,
adapted cars, adapted kitchens, adapted toys and games, etc. 2
AOTA – American Occupational Therapy Association (http://www.aota.org)
ASHA – American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (http://www.asha.org)
Assistive Technology
Device
In the U.S. Tech Act, an assistive technology device is defined as any
item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially
off the shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain,
or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities. Such
a device can be as simple as a modified drawer pull or as complex as a
programmable speech synthesizer. Wheelchairs, grab bars, crutches, adapted
drinking cups, and adapted computers all are assistive technology devices.
2
Assistive Technology
Service
According to IDEA an assistive technology service is one which directly
assists and individual with a disability in the selection, acquisition
or use of an assistive technology device. Such services include evaluation
of individual technology needs; purchasing, leasing or otherwise acquiring
a device; selecting, designing, fitting, customizing, adapting, applying,
maintaining, repairing or replacing a device; and coordinating and using
other therapies, interventions or services with assistive technology devices
training and technical assistance for the persona with a disability and
his/her family; and training or technical assistance for professionals,
employers and others who serve or employ or are substantially involved
with a person with a disability. 2
Best Practices:
Processes, practices, and/or systems in public and private organizations
that have been identified through an arguably rigorous evaluative process
as having performed exceptionally well in specific areas. 2
Bit / Byte
Units of electronic data. One bit is roughly equal to one character of
text. There are eight bits in a byte. Computer files and computer capacity
have become so large that users have moved rapidly from talking about
"bytes" of data, to "kilobytes" (1,024 bytes), "megabytes"
(1,024 kilobytes), and "gigabytes" (1,024 megabytes, a very
large number). Both a computer's random access memory (RAM) size or capacity
and its hard drive's (or other storage device) data storage capacity are
described in megabytes or gigabytes. Bits and bytes also are used to describe
the transmission rate of data over phone lines and cables. For example,
a modem may be said to transmit at 28.8 bps (bits per second), or roughly
28.8 characters per second. This is equivalent to typing about 345 words
per minute. 1
Bitmap
A way of displaying text and graphics on a screen, especially a computer
monitor or other computer-driven display device. The data's structure
corresponds, bit-for-bit, with the image on the screen. That is, each
screen pixel will display from one to eight bits of data. A bitmap image
is described by its width and height in screen pixels and by the number
of bits per pixel. 2
Blended Classes – classrooms where groups of students with diverse needs (special education and general education, multi-age) are combined. 4
Browser
A computer program that enables the computer user to access the World
Wide Web. There are many browsers, the most popular being Netscape Navigator
and Microsoft Explorer. Browsers generally interpret both text and graphics
found on the Web, and display them to the user. However, text-only browsers,
such as Lynx, still are in use. Browsers can be adapted with add-on software
that "reads" a Web site aloud to accommodate people with visual
disabilities. Wandering around the Web, from site to site, is called "browsing."
2
Captions / Closed, Open Captioning
Subtitles to a videotape or film, or to a television show, which convey
dialogue and sounds in writing. Captioning gives people with hearing impairments
access to information and entertainment. "Closed captioning"
is captioning that can not be seen unless a video monitor or TV is hooked
up to a device which "translates" the captions; the captions
are thus invisible to viewers without the closed caption box. In "open
captioning" all viewers see the captions. 2
CASE – Council for Administrators of Special Education (http://www.casecec.org/)
CAST*– Center for Applied Special Technology (http://www.cast.org)
Causal Analysis:
A process to determine the most basic cause(s) that can reasonably be
identified, where we can influence change, and for which effective recommendations
for addressing the issue can be implemented. 1
Chubon
A keyboard layout helpful to people who type with one finger, a headwand
or a mouthstick. A computer adaptation for people with disabilities. 2
Classifications
The categories under which special education services may be rendered.
There are thirteen categories: autism, deafness, deaf-blindness, emotional
disturbance, hearing impairment, learning disability, mental retardation,
multiple disabilities, orthopedic impairment, other health impairment,
speech or language impairment, traumatic brain injury, and visual impairment
including blindness. 4
Client. Client software
is able to make a request of server software, which fulfills the request.
For example, Netscape Navigator is client software that requests the retrieval
of Web pages from a Web server such as www.csudh.edu. Microsoft Outlook
is client software that requests services from a server such as Microsoft
Exchange. [See also server.] 3
Closing the Gap:
1. Making efforts to reduce the historic and continuing difference in
achievement levels between different student population groups.
2. Making efforts to help all students meet standards of proficiency.
3. A national conference for Assistive Technology (see www.closingthegap.com)
1
Collaboration
Groups and individuals working together toward a common goal. 4
Consonant Blends
Two or more adjacent consonant letters whose sounds are blended together
with each individual sound retaining its identity (also called consonant
clusters).
Consultant Teacher
The professional responsible for providing direct and/or indirect services
to students with disabilities enrolled in regular education classes, including
career and technical education. 4
CPSE - Committee on
Pre-School Special Education
The team which includes the child’s parent, an additional parent
of a pre-school child with a disability from the school district, general
and special education teachers, and chairperson (and administrator), related
service providers, and psychologist, who meet to determine the needs and
programs of preschool aged children with disabilities. 4
CSE – Committee
on Special Education
The team, which includes the child’s parent, an additional parent
of a child with a disability from the school district, special education
and general education teachers, school psychologist (and evaluator), committee
chairperson (and program administrator) related service providers, and
others, who meet regularly or ad hoc to determine and direct the educational
program of a student with special needs. 4
CSPD – Comprehensive
System for Professional Development
By Federal regulation, a plan designed and developed by school districts
to ensure that adequate resources exist to deliver IEP services, to provide
for continuing education, and to track and analyze data regarding students
with disabilities and their present and projected needs. 4
Curb Cuts
An example of a simple design modification which is becoming universal
and beneficial to all users, not just people with disabilities. Curb cuts
are slightly ramped cuts into curbs that enable wheelchair users and others
with mobility limitations to move smoothly from sidewalk to street and
back to the sidewalk. Curb cuts also benefit bicyclists, roller-skaters,
people pushing strollers, people using luggage and grocery carts, and
many others. The term "curb cuts" now often is used to describe
an assistive device or design which benefits many users, not only people
with disabilities. 2
Data Collection:
The ongoing process of using or creating multiple sources of data, such
as demographics, perceptions, targeted observations, student learning,
school processes, etc. In education, the primary purpose of such data
collection is to identify areas of successes and continuing needs in order
to support improved teaching and learning. 1
Data sources:
The primary or secondary source document(s) used for data collection.
(1) Typical educator data sources might include student report cards,
local assessments, student work, school report cards, perceptual surveys
(teacher, parent, student, administrator), teacher observations, reports
of teacher qualifications, census reports, attendance records, graduation
records, planning documents, grant applications, and a myriad of other
sources for data relevant to educational achievement. (2) A general term
used to describe where data for application processing is stored. In modern
systems, data is stored in a structured database, but a flat file system
could also be a data source. 1
Descriptive video
The Descriptive Video Service (DVS) provides narrated descriptions of
key items in a video without interfering with the dialogue and other audio
in a program or movie. The narration describes actions, settings, body
language and graphics. Descriptive video enables people with visual impairments
to enjoy videotaped programs and movies. 1
Disproportionality
The percentage representation of ethnic and language minority students
in special education programs as greater in comparison to their proportion
in the total school age enrollment. 4
ELA: English Language Arts 1
E-mail - Electronic
mail
Messages sent from one computer to another, generally over phone lines.
E-mail is used for one-on-one communication between computer users, newsgroups
(online discussion groups) and online mailing lists. Most Web browsers
include an e-mail function that is used to send e-mail over the Internet;
stand-alone e-mail software also is available. 2
Emoticon
Punctuation used to indicate emotion in e-mail. Although originally intended
as joking, emoticons truly are helpful in high-volume, text-only communication,
such as newsgroups. Since the receiver of e-mail can not see the sender's
face or body language nor hear the sender's tone of voice, emoticons help
prevent misinterpretation of remarks intended to be humorous, sarcastic,
or ironic. The most common emoticon is a colon, hyphen, parenthesis intended
to represent a smiling face. Emoticons obviously can be helpful communication
aids to people who communicate primarily by typing text. 2
Environmental control
An area in which assistive technology is used to enable a person with
a disability to control his/her environment. Devices such as adapted thermostats,
adapted light and appliance switches, switches to control the movement
of drapes and blinds, adapted door intercoms, adapted keys and locks,
and so on, all fall under this heading. Environmental control assistive
technology is a key to independent living. 2
ESL: English as a Second Language: 1
Evaluation:
A process to determine as systematically and objectively as possible the
relevance, effectiveness, and impact of programs, strategies, interventions,
and/or activities. Evaluation has several distinguishing characteristics
relating to focus, methodology, and function. Evaluation assesses the
effectiveness of an ongoing program in achieving its objectives, relies
on the standards of project design to distinguish a program's effects
from those of other forces, and aims at program improvement through a
modification of current operations. 1
Evidence-based research
Research that involves the application of rigorous, systematic, and objective
procedures to obtain reliable and valid knowledge relevant to education
activities and programs.
FAPE: Free and appropriate Public Education.
What schools are required to provide all students with disabilities. (For
more on FAPE go to www.ed.gov/offices/OSERS/IDEA
on the Web.) 2
Format (data)
Different methods of arranging and storing data (text or graphics) in
a computer file. These include TIFF, PICT, JPEG, PDF, GIF, RTF, etc. When
transmitting files from one computer to another, it often is important
to know in which the format the file has been created and/or saved. 2
Functional behavioral assessment (FBA) -- the process of determining why a student engages in behaviors that impede learning and how the student's behavior relates to the environment. 4
Host
A computer on which documents which are accessed by other computers are
stored. A host is also called a server. 2
HTML - Hypertext Markup
Language
The computer language or code used to create hypertext documents. Documents
on the World Wide Web are written in HTML. Web browsers are computer programs
which interpret HTML for display on a computer monitor. The unique feature
of hypertext documents is the "links" embedded in them, which
enable a Web user to "jump" from one site on the Web to another.
2
Hypertext
The format of computer documents written in HTML. This is the format used
to create documents for the World Wide Web. Hypertext includes embedded
links, which enable the user to jump from one link to another, at another
location on the Web. 2
Icon
In an assistive technology context, pictures used to represent a concept.
Icons often are used on the keyboards of AACs and in computer graphical
user interfaces (GUIs), as in the familiar Windows and Macintosh interfaces.
Because of their application, icons usually are small and simple. 2
IDEA
The U.S. Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (PL 101-476), first
passed in 1975, most recently re-authorized and amended in June 1997.
This landmark legislation authorizes special education programs and services
to students in the U.S. In 1990, IDEA was amended to include language
relating to the provision of assistive technology devices and services
to students with disabilities. (For more on IDEA go to www.ed.gov/offices/OSERS/IDEA
on the Web.) 2
IEP
Individualized Education Plan: a legal document that sets goals and objectives
for students with disabilities and describes the programs and services
that will be offered to help the student reach those goals. If a goal
and/or objective in an IEP requires the student to use an assistive technology
device and service, the school district must supply them. The need and
responsibility for assistive technology devices and services should be
specifically written into an IEP. The IEP is formulated by a team of professionals
employed by the school district and the parents or guardians of the students.
Parents must consent to an IEP and may appeal an IEP if they find it unacceptable.
2
IFSP
Individualized Family Service Plan: a legal document, much like an IEP,
which guides the programs and services provided to children and their
families in an early intervention (ages zero to two) program. The need
and responsibility for assistive technology should be specifically written
into the IFSP. 2
IHE – Institution of Higher Education
Impact:
A change in the status (e.g., health, standard of living, quality of life)
of individuals, families, or communities as a result of a program, project,
or activity. 1
Inclusion
The purposeful involvement of all students in regular education regardless
of disability in the process of educating ALL learners. 4
Intervention:
1. A strategy or approach that is intended to prevent an outcome or to
alter the course of an existing condition; an effort to change the status
quo through deliberate action.
2. An activity or set of activities to which an individual or group is
exposed in order to change the individual or group behavior. 1
Internet
The Internet, or 'Net, is a worldwide network of computer networks linked
together by phone lines, cables, satellites and other methods. The Internet
links millions of computer users with each other for the purposes of communication
and information - sharing. Originally created by the U.S. Dept. of Defense
to link government agencies and research sites, the Internet has grown
far beyond its original purpose. It is now a multifaceted network, accessible
by any computer user equipped with the necessary hardware, software, transmission
lines and skills. 2
Listserv
A listserv is a program that automatically redistributes e-mail to names
on an electronic mailing list. A listserv has an “owner,”
an individual who can add and delete e-mail addresses to/from the list.
3
LRE - Least Restrictive
Environment
The continuum of services that designate the placement of students with
disabilities in special classes, separate schools or other removal from
the general educational environment occurring only when the nature or
severity of the disability is such that even with the use of supplementary
aids and services, education cannot be satisfactorily achieved. 4
Meaningful participation
Relevant education stakeholders are involved, to the extent they are both
willing and able, in all phases of school improvement. That is, they are
invited to the table for input, involvement and response in planning,
implementation, and evaluation efforts initiated by the sponsoring organization;
and their contributions are valued as evidenced by inclusion of their
concerns in the final products. 1
Measure:
Data that demonstrate the degree to which programs, strategies, approaches,
or interventions have succeeded. Measures answer the question: “How
will you keep track of progress towards achieving desired results?”
Measures used to assess effect or impact will include data such as (quantitative)
number of, frequency of, percent of, ratio of, variance with and (qualitative)
congruence with, presence of, quality of, extent of, level of 1
Memoranda of Agreement
(MOA) or Memoranda of Understanding (MOU):
The formal, written and signed agreement(s) between a target school/district
and all applicable partners that delineates the specific roles and responsibilities
for each. 1
Modem
A device which translate outgoing computer data into a form suitable for
transmission over a phone line and translates incoming phone signals into
a form readable by a computer. Modems are rated by speed; currently, the
speed of a modem is expressed in "bps," or bits per second.
The higher the bps rating, the faster the modem transmits data. 2
Needs Assessment:
1. A problem identification process that looks at the difference between
"what is" and "what should be" for a particular situation.
2. A systematic effort to acquire an accurate and thorough profile of
strengths and areas for improvement of schools, thus identifying the needs
of the students.
3. A systematic study that incorporates data and opinions from varied
sources in order to create, install and evaluate educational and informational
products and services. (1)
Memory/storage:
The terms "storage" and "memory" refer to the parts
of a digital computer that retain physical state (data) for some interval
of time, possibly even after electrical power to the computer is turned
off. Where both terms are in use, "memory" is generally used
for the faster forms, and "storage" for the slower forms.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_memory
NASDSE - National Association for State Directors of Special Education
NASSP – National
Association of Secondary School Principals
NCLB – No Child Left Behind
Legislation enacted in 2001 aimed at improving the nation’s standards
of education. Its provisions include standardized testing for all children,
the reporting of test data by school districts in categories including
children in poverty and with disabilities, mandated instruction by “highly
qualified teachers,” and public school choice. 4
Network installation/client installation
The process of putting a program in a computer system such that the program
works as desired. It includes configuration. However, further configuration
changes may be made once a program is installed. Ideally, such changes
are made only if the demands on that program change.
OT – Occupational
Therapy
The functional evaluation of the student and the planning and use of a
program of purposeful activities to develop and maintain adaptive skills,
designed to achieve maximal physical and mental functioning of the student
in his or her daily life tasks. 4
Open-source. Software
for which underlying code can be refined by any programmer willing to
publish the refinements. 3
Operating system The software that the rest of the software depends on
to make the computer functional. On most PCs this is Windows or the Macintosh
OS. Unix and Linux are other operating systems often found in scientific
and technical environments. (www.krollontrack.com/legalresources/glossary.asp)
OCR - Optical character recognition
Refers to the process by which scanned images are electronically "read"
to convert them into editable text. This conversion is performed after
scanning, and may output formatted text or text-only files (flat ASCII
files). Text generated by OCR is often input into text search databases,
allowing retrieval of the original scanned image based on its content.
www.mindwrap.com/infoblurbs/infoblurbs.html
Outcome:
A defined result whose achievement can be measured. 1
PDD – NOS – Pervasive Developmental Disorder – Not Otherwise Specified 4
PDF - Portable document
format
A distribution format developed by Adobe Corporation to allow electronic
information to be transferred between various types of computers. Software
which allows this transfer is called Acrobat. To view and print a PDF
file, download and install a copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader. (http://www.extension.iastate.edu/Software/Acrobat/PDFFiles.html)
PECS: Picture Exchange
Communication System - Developed in 1985 by Andrew S. Bondy, Ph.D. &
Lori Frost, M.S., CCC/SLP, the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS)
is a “unique augmentative/ alternative training package that teaches
children and adults with autism and other communication deficits to initiate
communication.”
Performance Indicator:
A pointer that helps measure progress towards achieving results. A performance
indicator answers the question: “How will you know the result has
been achieved?” 1
PT – Physical
Therapy
The functional evaluation, planning and use of a program of purposeful
activities to develop and maintain large muscle strength, endurance, coordination,
and control. 4
Portal - "Portal"
is an old term with a new meaning. Always defined as a gateway, "portal"
now usually refers to a gateway to the Internet. In the language of the
Internet, "portal" describes a Web site that is a major starting
point for users when they connect to the Web or that users will visit
as an anchor site. 3
Positioning
An area in which assistive devices are used to properly position a person
with a disability in a wheelchair, automobile, office chair, etc. Correct
positioning is important to health, safety, comfort and task performance.
2
Prioritizing Interventions:
Establishing high leverage interventions that will potentially lead to
the greatest impact on identified problem(s) or cause(s). 1
Problem Solving:
A quality improvement approach that involves objectively identifying the
causes of a problem and proposing potential, often creative, solutions
to the problem, which will be agreeable to multiple parties or individuals.
1
Professional Development:
1. The term that educators use to describe the continuing education of
teachers, administrators, and other school employees and education service
providers.
2. A process of learning and keeping up-to-date in one's area of expertise.
3. Powerful professional learning that will transform teaching and increase
learning for students. 1
On the role of professional development in promoting teaching quality and increasing student achievement: “Simply put, the argument is this: What teachers know and do impacts what their students know and do. Deeper content knowledge, more content-specific instructional strategies, and greater understanding about how students learn better enable teachers to craft instruction to meet the varying needs of students and help them achieve rigorous content standards. When teachers meet student learning needs, student achievement increases. For practicing teachers, staff development is an essential vehicle for continuous improvement of teaching.” From Joellen Killion, NSDC, What Works in the High School, Results-Based Staff Development http://www.nsdc.org/members/tools/t-feb99.pdf
Related service or
Itinerant service provider
Means developmental, corrective, and other supportive services as are
required to assist a student with a disability and includes speech-language
pathology, audiology services, psychological services, physical therapy,
occupational therapy, counseling services, including rehabilitation counseling
services, orientation and mobility services, medical services as defined
in this section, parent counseling and training, school health services,
school social work, assistive technology services, other appropriate developmental
or corrective support services, appropriate access to recreation and other
appropriate support services. 4
Result
The effect on one or more groups of the decision, change, or other action
taken. Results can be intended – the presumably positive ones the
organization wants to achieve; or unintended, which can be positive, negative,
or both. Intended results should always be stated in terms of what the
result will look like when achieved. 1
Results-based planning:
The use of a planning process that first identifies the results (impacts,
outcomes) one hopes to achieve and then develops strategies and activities
to achieve those results. 1
Root Cause:
To those trained in the industrial process of root cause analysis, the
term has a somewhat different meaning than to those trained in the CDEP
process, where the term is used more generally. In the latter case, “root
cause” tends to be used synonymously with “causal analysis”.
However, one evaluative study has found that a negative connotation is
associated with the term when applied to educational endeavors, particularly
for individuals familiar with its genesis in the industrial process. 1
Examples of industrial definitions:
1. A factor that caused a nonconformance and should be permanently eliminated through process improvement (from http://www.asq.org/info/glossary/r.html)
2. A root cause is the primary basis for an effect. An effect can have more than one root. Thus a given effect can have, and usually does have, more than one root cause. In Continuous Process Improvement (CPI), in order to be a root cause, an item needs only two attributes: 1) it is a cause and 2) it is at a root. Root causes may not be under any one's control. They happen to have the attribute that if they are favorably modified the effect will also be favorably modified (from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Root_cause with minor edits) 1
For educator purposes
the following general definitions, or the definition for causal analysis,
are probably more useful:
1. The underlying reason for the occurrence of a problem.
2. The most fundamental reason for the failure or inefficiency of a process.
Sample Size:
The number of items or subjects selected for a sample in an experiment
or study. Good sampling practice ensures there is sufficient variety and
number within a sample to make it representative of the whole. In general,
a larger sample size yields better statistical information than a smaller
sample size. 1
School Improvement
Planning:
The process of developing, implementing, and integrating activities and
systems to raise student achievement, close the achievement gap, and maximize
human, material, and fiscal resources. 1
Scientifically based
interventions:
Interventions that meet the criteria of scientifically based research.
1
Scientifically based
research:
According to the Institute of Education Sciences (USDOE) , scientifically
based research:
1 employs systematic, empirical methods that draw on observation or experiment;
involves data analyses that are adequate to support the general findings;
relies on measurements or observational methods that provide reliable
data; makes claims of causal relationships only in random-assignment experiments
or other designs (to the extent such designs substantially eliminate plausible
competing explanations for the obtained results);
2 ensures that studies and methods are presented in sufficient detail
and clarity to allow for replication or, at a minimum, to offer the opportunity
to build systematically on the findings of the research;
3 obtains acceptance by a peer-reviewed journal or approval by a panel
of independent experts through a comparably rigorous, objective, and scientific
review; and
4 uses research designs and methods appropriate to the research question
posed. From the What Works Clearinghouse, http://w-w-c.org/faq/what_research.html
Scientifically based
strategies:
Strategies that meet the criteria of scientifically based research. 1
Screen Reader
Computer software that translates a graphical interface (information is
displayed as icons or small pictures as in the Windows or Mac operating
system) into text forms which can be read aloud to the user via synthesized
speech or read with Braille displays. 2
Section 504
This portion of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 prohibits employment discrimination
against qualified individuals with disabilities by certain public entities.
It is used occasionally to institute accommodations temporarily for school
aged children with immediate needs (elevator access for a broken leg)
or for children with health issues not covered under IDEA (diabetes, psychological
disorders, etc.) to continue to ensure access. 4
Server
A computer equipped with the software it needs to make it responsive to
requests from other computers (clients). The Internet is an enormous client-server
network, in which clients access data on servers which, in turn "serve
up" the requested data to clients. 2 For example, Microsoft Exchange
is server software that provides e-mail and groupware features that are
accessible through Microsoft Outlook client software. [See also client.]
3
SL – Speech
and Language Therapy
The functional evaluation, planning and use of a program of purposeful
activities and instruction to develop and maintain successful interventions
with communication disorders, such as stuttering, impaired articulation,
a language impairment or a voice impairment, that adversely affects a
student's educational performance. 4
Special Education
Specially designed individualized or group instruction or special services
or programs, as defined in Education Law, and special transportation,
provided at no cost to the parent, to meet the unique needs of students
with disabilities. It is important to remember that this designates services
not a place. 4
Strength Based:
Developing something (plans, strategies, processes, etc.) that uses as
a starting point an individual’s or organization’s strengths,
successes, and expertise.
Tech Act
The U.S. Technology-Related Assistance Act (PL-100-407), originally passed
in 1988, which, among other things, authorizes grants to states for the
purpose of creating assistive technology assistance centers to serve people
with disabilities and their families all around the U.S. and its territories
and possessions. Tech Act programs have sprung up in almost every state
and territory. This law also created the legal definition of assistive
technology devices and services, which was added to IDEA in 1990. For
more information about this law, go to on the Web. 2
Transition
A coordinated set of activities for a student with a disability, designed
within an outcome-oriented process, that promotes movement from school
to post-school activities, including, but not limited to, post-secondary
education, vocational training, integrated competitive employment (including
supported employment), continuing and adult education, adult services,
independent living, or community participation. 4
TVI – Teacher of the Visually Impaired 4
Types of data:
A search for definitions for this phrase resulted in a wide diversity
in what it means, even within a specific profession. For instance, just
in the field of evaluation, a number of evaluators think of types of data
as primarily quantitative and qualitative, with sub-types under each.
Other evaluators think of types of data as the kind of survey that might
be conducted; or as the kind of data source (reference, production, archive,
etc.); or as the specific data fields. The term appears to be sometimes
used as a synonym for data sources. More discussion is needed within your
collaborative group to determine what kinds of definitions will be useful
for its work. 1
UDL – Universal
Design for Learning
A system of instruction whereby learners are assured of multiple means
of representation, giving them various ways of acquiring information and
knowledge, multiple means of expression, providing them alternatives for
demonstrating what they know, and multiple means of engagement, tapping
into their interests, offering appropriate challenges, and increasing
motivation. 4
Upfront Agreement:
The initial agreement between partner networks that describes expectations,
roles and responsibilities of each network representative. 1
WATI – Wisconsin Assistive Technology Initiative http://www.wati.org
World Wide Web
The World Wide Web -- Web for short -- is the most popular, fastest-growing
part of the Internet, because, thanks to hypertext, it is very "browsable"
and easy to use, and because the Web can easily accommodate graphics of
all types, and sound and video files as well as text, making the Web a
multimedia experience for users with adequate computer equipment. The
Web has become an information, communication, commercial and entertainment
medium of genuine significance. 2
APPRECIATION TO OUR CONTRIBUTORS
Lisa Tebo, Lisa, Assistive
Technololgy Coordinator, Tupper Lake Schools, NY
Grapka, Barbara, Reading Specialist, Bethlehem Public Schools
Eileen Pasquini, AT Coordinator, TRE Center, Albany, NY
Cheryl Rabinowitz, Director of Technology, Catskill Central Schools, NY
Penny R. Reed, Penny Reed Consulting, WI 53039
REFERENCES: The following
sources were harvested in the creation and compilation of this glossary
1 http://www.oft.state.ny.us/policy/glossary.htm
New York State information technology policies, standards, and best practice
guidelines glossary
2 http://www.infinitec.org/learn/learningaboutat/glossary.html Infinitec glossary
3 http://www.csudh.edu/infotech/pubs/glossary.htm California State University Domingues Hills
4 http://www.systemschange.syr.edu
The Lingo Dictionary (With Acronym Guide)
OTHER RESOURCES:
• http://www.natenetwork.net
The National Assistive Technology in Education (NATE) Network has a list
of initials and acronyms related to AT on their website, Look under resources
and then Acronyms and initials.
• http://www.fctd.info/resources/glossary.php
Assistive Technology Glossary of the family center on Technology and Disability
• http://www.atia.org AT-IT Compatibility
Guidelines
• http://www.connsense.com
The Marriage of AT and IT Ben Satterfield ?ben@dunamisinc.com ?Pat Satterfield
?Pat@dunamisinc.com
• http://manassas.k12.va.us/tech/tsip/quizzes.htm
Manassas City Public Schools This page provides useful Technology Vocabulary
Quizzes. The six quizzes may be taken online and are scored immediately.
If technical vocabulary has bothered you, this self-test may help.
• http://www.netlingo.com/
you can use this site as a resource to prepare your own glossary. (from
Cheryl Rabinowitz-Director of Technology-Catskill CSD
• http://www.ucit.uc.edu/policies/glossary.asp
Information Technology Management Policy Glossary
• Information Technology (IT): Pertains to the broad subject concerned with all aspects of managing and processing information, especially within a large organization or company. Because computers are central to information management, computer departments within companies and universities are often called IT departments.??
• http://www.teachernet.gov.uk/educationoverview/uksystem/glossaryofterms/
Glossary of terms
• http://www.sir.arizona.edu/resources/glossary.html School of information resources and library science
• http://www.mtsu.edu/~salexand/DEFINITIONS.html Definitions of common library term
• http://www.k12albemarle.org/Technology/TSIP/home.html Technology Vocabulary Albemarie County Public Schools The following links might be useful, if you're concerned about the jargon of technology. The first is a simple glossary that first appeared with the draft Media, Research, and Technology Curriculum. It does not include everything! The other links are to online dictionaries. Simply enter the word that you're looking for and the definition is returned.
• http://k12.albemarle.org/Technology/it/mrt/glossary.html