1 to 1 or 1:1 - Read as “one to one.” This simply means a school district or other environment (such as a lab) that has one computer or other device for every student, thus making the device-to-person ratio 1:1.
Adaptive Learning - This is an educational practice which uses computers as interactive instructional devices. The programs adapt the difficulty and/or style of educational material according to the particular needs of each student (determined by their responses to questions and tasks in the program).
For example, a math application that detects when some students are having trouble with division and then has those students spend more time reviewing it would be considered adaptive.
Asynchronous Learning - A traditional classroom is an example of “synchronous learning,” where all students learn the same things at the same time and in the same place. Asynchronous learning is the opposite of that. Using the power of the Internet, students can now learn different things whenever they want and wherever they want, hence the term “asynchronous.”
AUP - Short for “Acceptable Use Policy.” The AUP is a document most likely produced by the school’s Board of Education. It specifies what a district’s staff and students may or may not do on the school’s network. Students (and often their parents as well) are usually required to sign one of these at the start of every school year. East Maine’s is BOE Policy 6:235 “Access to Electronic Networks” http://www.emsd63.org/Page/98 and is annually reafirmed via the online registration portal.
Blended Learning - Blended learning is exactly what it sounds like: a teaching method that combines traditional classroom instruction with online or mobile learning activities. Many classrooms that are called “flipped” classrooms are in actuality blended learning environments.
Cloud - “The cloud” is not one single device or location. Rather, it is a metaphor for on-demand storage space or computing power managed by a third party. Dropbox’s syncing application is a good example of a “cloud” service, since your files are copied up to their servers and then back down to all of your devices with Dropbox installed.
CMS - CMS stands for Content Management System. CMS’s are essentially software or web applications that allow you to publish and edit content from one central interface. They also usually allow for collaborative editing, standalone pages, and other features. East Maine’s website is an example of a CMS (as are WordPress, Drupal and Joomla).
Differentiated Learning - Differentiated learning is a teaching method that adjusts the presentation of the instructional material to better suit each individual student. While the learning goals are the same for all, some students learn differently than others, and so differentiated learning seeks to meet each student halfway, as it were, rather that force all the students to learn via the same method.
Digital Citizenship - Digital citizenship means making good use of the Internet and having knowledge of how to operate web-connected devices safely while online. It also means that you can effectively use technology to interact responsibly with others to engage in society, politics, or other public discussion.
Digital Divide - The term digital divide is used to refer to a large gap in technology use between two groups. The two groups can be divided along economic, racial, age, or even gender lines. For example, Americans 55 and older report using the Internet the least out of all age groups, while those 18-24