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and Tools Supporting Communication Sources for each definition are indicated.

1. Cell phone (a.k.a. cellular phone or wireless phone, mobile phone, cell) is a mobile telephone that uses wireless is considered indispensable for road warriors, modern mothers, and those who work in the industry. Also known as a handy (short for handheld), many cell phones are now capable of receiving text-based messages (such as e-mail or SMS) in addition to incoming calls. It is one of those technologies that continue to get cheaper, faster, better: in 1987, the monthly average of a U.S. cell phone bill was $96.85; in 1998, it was $39.43. A friend may say to you, "Call me on my cell." Definition source: www.netlingo.com/lookup.cfm?term=cell%20phone

2. A smartphone is generally considered any handheld device that integrates personal information management and mobile phone capabilities in the same device. Often, this includes adding phone functions to already capable handhelds or putting "smart" capabilities, such as PDA functions, into a mobile phone. Definition source: en..org/wiki/Smart_Phone

3. A Handheld Device (handheld) is a handheld, portable computer or communications gadget that you can carry around with you, such as a cell phone, a BlackBerry, a pager, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a palmtop (handheld) such as a Palm Handheld or a Pocket PC, a smart phone, and so on. Any one of these electronic devices essentially fit in your hand and are mobile.

"Handheld" is the most recent name for PDAs (Personal Digital Assistant), which are converging with cell phone technology to become all-around communication devices (smartphones). In addition to making telephone calls, these handhelds can send and receive short text-based messages (SMS) and e- mail, and can even browse the Web. Definition sources: www.netlingo.com/lookup.cfm?term=handheld device and www.netlingo.com/lookup.cfm?term=handheld

Examples: • BlackBerry is a handheld wireless device providing e-mail, telephone, text messaging and web browsing and other wireless data access. Definition source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BlackBerry

• The palmOne Treo is a line of smartphones acquired and subsequently developed from Handspring (makers of the Handspring Visor). The Treos are unique, combining a color Palm OS PDA with a regular sized mobile phone. They have a number of integrated features making it possible to check the calendar while talking on the phone, dial directly from contacts list, send , and on recent models take pictures. Definition source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treo

4. Text messaging (texting) is a feature that allows you to send short, electronic messages to a smart phone, pager, PDA, or other handheld device. Text messaging implies sending short messages generally no more than a couple of hundred characters in length. Definition source: library.ahima.org/xpedio/groups/public/documents/ahima/pub_bok1_021589.

5. Electronic mail, abbreviated e-mail or , is a method of composing, sending, and receiving messages over electronic communication systems. Most e-mail systems today use the Internet. Definition source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E-mail

Using Technology in Career Exploration 41 Oakland Schools Instructional Module 1.3 Resource (part 2) Revised March 2007 6. A Listserv (List) is E-mail management software that allows you and/or the subscribers to send email to the list (of people who subscribe to the particular mailing list). Includes the means to subscribe and unsubscribe to the list. Definition source: www.epowermark.com/glossary.htm

7. An program is one that can instantly send messages from one computer to another by means of small ‘pop-up’ windows. They are a of ‘instant email’ and are very popular with students and adults alike. Definition source: www.netalert.net.au/01990-Glossary.asp

8. Online discussion forum (a.k.a. , newsgroup, message board, bulletin board) – interactions are done by posting and reading messages; two-way communication is not done at the same time (asynchronous)

• An online discussion forum is a that provides for discussion, often in conjunction with online communities. Older forums date back to around 1996, following the newsgroups and bulletin board systems that were widespread in the 1980s and 1990s. Popular discussion topics include technology, computer games, and politics, but forums are available for any number of different topics. Definition source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Discussion_forum

A discussion board is a common name for an interactive message board. This is a place on the Web where users may post and read announcements on topics of common interest. A person interacts with a discussion board by submitting forms or sending in e-mail messages to be posted via a (as opposed to newsgroups, which require a ). The boards are a popular way to interact online, because they are easy to navigate and easy to use for responding to another person's message. Definition source: www.netlingo.com/lookup.cfm?term=discussion%20board

• A newsgroup is an online discussion forum for sharing information about a specific topic, usually within the system rather than on the . Users in each newsgroup post messages and reply to other users. You need newsreader software on your computer in order to view and post messages. Newsgroups exist on thousands of topics, and are useful for building online communities and bringing people together with similar interests. Unrestricted or unmoderated newsgroups pose significant safety risks for students. Definition sources: www.netlingo.com/lookup.cfm?term=newsgroups and www.netalert.net.au/01990-Glossary.asp

• A Bulletin Board (BBS) is a dial-up meeting and announcement system for carrying on discussions, uploading and downloading files, and generally obtaining online information and services. BBS also refers to a congregation of users gathered electronically by modem, where each person can post messages. Definition source: www.netlingo.com/LOOKUP.CFM?TERM=BBS

9. A is an online forum where people can chat online (talk by broadcasting messages to people on the same forum in real time - synchronous). Sometimes these are moderated either by limiting who is allowed to speak (not common) or by having moderation volunteers watching for disruptive or otherwise undesirable behavior. Definition source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chatroom

Talk (chat) in a group (room) on the Internet. There is usually more than one conversation going on simultaneously in a given room, this is why they are called "chatrooms". Many chatrooms are monitored for unacceptable, offensive, racial, violence, sexual content, but many are not. Keep in mind that anyone can view profiles and the chat going back and forth without their presence being known. Definition source: www.techdirectcomputers.com/Encyclopedia.htm Using Technology in Career Exploration 42 Oakland Schools Instructional Module 1.3 Resource (part 2) Revised March 2007

10. A weblog (usually shortened to , but occasionally spelled web log) is a web-based publication consisting primarily of periodic articles (normally in reverse chronological order). Although most early weblogs were manually updated, tools to automate the maintenance of such sites made them accessible to a much larger population, and the use of some sort of browser-based software is now a typical aspect of "blogging". Definition source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weblog

11. A social networking site like MySpace, Xanga, Friendster is a service that uses the Internet for online communication through an interactive network of photos, weblogs, user profiles, e-mail, web forums, and groups, as well as other media formats. Definition source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MySpace

12. A wiki is a web application that allows users to add content, as on an Internet forum, but also allows anyone to edit the content. Wiki also refers to the used to create such a (see Wiki software). Definition source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WIKI

13. A course management system is a computer program that facilitates computerized learning or e-learning, especially by helping teachers and learners with course administration. Such e-learning systems are sometimes also called Learning Management Systems (LMS), Virtual Learning Environments (VLE), via computer-mediated communication (CMC) or Online Education. Definition source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Course_management_system

Often Internet-based, a course management system is software allowing instructors to manage materials distribution, assignments, communications and other aspects of instruction for their courses. Examples include Blackboard, Angel, Moodle, or WebCT. Definition source: alt.uno.edu/glossary.html

Threaded discussions are often available for participants to post or reply to messages. The messages are listed in chronological order, creating a thread of discussion by discussion topic.

14. Conferencing software – two-way communication occurs with virtually no time delay; participants interact in real time (at the same time - synchronous)

• Audio (voice) conferencing offers free voice communications or reduced cost phone calls over the Internet using VoIP (voice over internet protocol). Users can record and playback audio with a program like Skype, chat via instant messaging, and do conference calls with other users. Some services have also added video capability. The ability to call out and in to POTS (standard phone lines) is also available. Definition source: drworkshop.org/moodle/mod/glossary/view.php and en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skype

• is used to hold group meetings online or live presentations over the Internet in real time. In a web conference, each participant sits at their own computer, and is connected to other participants via the internet. The most basic feature of a web conference is screen sharing, whereby conference participants see whatever is on the presenter's screen. Definition source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Web_conferencing

• A webinar is a seminar which is conducted over the World Wide Web. It is a type of web conferencing. In contrast to a Webcast, which is transmission of information in one direction only, a webinar is designed to be interactive between the presenter and audience. Definition source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Web_conferencing

Using Technology in Career Exploration 43 Oakland Schools Instructional Module 1.3 Resource (part 2) Revised March 2007 • A videoconference is a live connection between people in separate locations for the purpose of communication, usually involving audio and often text as well as video. At its simplest, videoconferencing provides transmission of static images and text between two locations. At its most sophisticated, it provides transmission of full-motion video images and high-quality audio between multiple locations. Definition source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Videoconference

Video conferencing is an extremely useful method of communication because it saves people the time and expense of travel and can often accomplish many of the things a physical meeting can. A two-person videoconference is known as point-to-point, while more than two people involved in a session is a multipoint conference. Definition source: www.scotsmist.co.uk/glossary_v.html

A web camera (or ) is a real-time camera whose images can be accessed using the World Wide Web, instant messaging, or a PC video calling application. Generally, a digital camera delivers images to a web server, either continuously or at regular intervals. Definition source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Webcam

• Video chat software can let you talk face-to-face with friends and loved ones using your PC and webcam. It can be used for video conferencing or sharing files. Most video chat programs support voice chat, text messaging, instant messaging and more. You can host your own chat room or join someone else's. Pc-to-pc calling lets you call anyone's computer and talk to them like you would talk on the phone. The latest programs have pc-to-phone calling allowing you to call any phone anywhere from your computer screen. Definition source: www.video-chat-im-software-review.toptenreviews.com/

Examples: Windows Live Messenger, Yahoo! Messenger with Voice, Paltalk Messenger, SightSpeed, iChat AV, Camfrog Video Chat, TryFast Messenger, AIM Triton, ICUII, iSpQ VideoChat, Skype

Using Technology in Career Exploration 44 Oakland Schools Instructional Module 1.3 Resource (part 2) Revised March 2007