 Faculty Resources
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 Glossary of Terms
The following terms are commonly encountered in distance, continuing and executive education.*
Process
These terms relate to the process, or the manner in which education/training is delivered. Detailed descriptions of distance education technologies are available on the Delivery Methods page.
Asynchronous (anytime, anyplace) learning The constraints of time and space are broken in order to make learning opportunities more compatible with learners' lifestyles and needs.Asynchronous learning networks (ALNs)
A system in which students have rapid access to a network of learners and to the instructor with largely asynchronous, self-paced learning elements. The emphasis here is on interaction with a network of learners and with the instructor using the underlying physical network connectivity.CD-ROM education/training
Educational content is delivered to students on CD-ROM. In some cases, this is the only delivery model used for distance education.Delivery Platform
The method or methods by which the educational content is delivered to students. Examples of delivery platforms include web-based instructions, videotapes, CDs, interactive web-based audio/video, etc. The infrastructure to support all aspects of the delivery platform is NOT considered in the definition.Distance learning (or distance education or distributed learning)
A learning situation in which the student and faculty are physically separated.Infrastructure
A broad term used to refer to existing services provided by personnel in offices such as office of the Registrar, Admissions, Academic Affairs, Financial Aid, etc., and technologies including computer hardware, software, and networks, satellite uplinks, audio and video capabilities, studios, etc.Discussion board (or message board or web board)
An electronic method for posting messages that others can elect to read and then reply to if desired. It does not use the e-mail system but rather is web-based.
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Listserv
A method of presenting information that facilitates student interaction. E-mail is sent to single list address and then all messages are copied to the participants in the list. Some lists allow individuals to add themselves to the list while others require supervisory intervention to add members to this list. In addition, listservs can be closed in the sense that only members on the list can post messages to the list while open listservs allow anyone to post to the list address. Some listservs may also be archived on a periodic basis with www-based interfaces so that the discussion is available via standard www-browsers. Separate electronic conferencing systems may also accomplish the same objective.On-line or web-based information
Information resides in digital form and students can access it over the Internet at a time and location convenient to them.Synchronous learning
A process by which the instructor and students exchange information and ideas in "real-time." This process can occur face-to-face in the traditional classroom or with the aid of technologies that allow for the real-time exchange while the instructor and students are physically separated.Video Conference (or Tele/video)
Students, while at a remote site, meet with the instructor at a set time in order to participate in real-time discussions with both video and audio feeds.Videotapes
Faculty lectures are videotaped and mailed to the students.
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Population Served
These terms relate to the population that is served by UF. Many terms overlap, for example, life-long learners can include working professionals, etc.
Executive Students
Managers or business executives who pursue specific professional goals.Life-long learners
People interested in learning for the sake of learning who may or may not progress toward a degree, certificate, licensure, or special training.Off-campus students
Students who cannot easily or economically be present on campus for classes, etc.
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On-campus students
Traditional residential or commuter students who meet with the instructor at a fixed location and time, and for a predetermined number of classes.Working professionals
Individuals who have degrees, are employed, and generally cannot meet on-campus.
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Purpose or Product
These terms relate to the purpose that individuals or groups have for enrolling in various programs. Some overlap is expected.
Certificate
Informal recognition for completing study of a specific body of knowledge offered by colleges or the continuing education, required by law for graduate school.Continuing education
Nondegree education that may be offered for a specific purpose, e.g. state licensure.Continuing medical education
Programs offered specifically for physicians.Degree
Bachelor's, master's, doctoral, or professional.In-service-education
Training generally provided by a company to an employee."Just-for-you" education
A form of education that is tailored to meet the specific lifelong learning requirements of particular students.
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"Just-in-case" education
A form of education in which we expect students to complete degree programs at the undergraduate, graduate, or professional level before they actually need the knowledge."Just-in-time" education
A form of education that is sought when a person needs it through nondegree programs.Licensure requirements
As required by many professions (health, engineering, forestry, geology, etc.).Postbaccalaureate
A status assigned to students who take courses that do not lead to a degree.Pre-service
Education/training offered to employees before they have finished a degree or are employed.
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Administrative Terms
Academic courses
Classes that appear in undergraduate, graduate or professional catalogs. The appropriate administrative authorities approve academic courses. These courses lead to degrees and are taken for credit.In-state tuition
Tuition rates are established by the Legislature for residents of Florida. Undergraduate, graduate, and professional students pay different in-state tuition rates.Nontraditional instruction
This term refers to a wide array of educational experiences that differ from traditional instruction in at least one of the following ways:
- students are enrolled in an educational enterprise for purposes other than obtaining a degree;
- technologies are used to facilitate communication (television, computers, telephone, etc.) and/or delivery of instructional materials (C.D., web-based materials, videotape, etc.);
- payment for the educational content including workshop registration, fixed rate per credit (or course or program) that is different from the tuition set by the by the Legislature; or
- the educational product does not receive state support.
Off-book
Students pay a predetermined fee for individual courses or a specified sequence of courses. The payment is set by the program and goes through DOCE. Off-book students are included in the headcount but are not considered in the calculation of enrollment plan FTE. There is no state support for students enrolled in off-book programs/courses.
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On-book
Students pay tuition that is set by the Legislature. These students contribute to the headcount and enrollment plan FTE of the university.Out-of-state tuition
Tuition rates are established by the Legislature for non-Florida residents. Undergraduate, graduate, and professional students pay different out-of-state tuition rates.Short-courses/seminars/workshops/in-service programs
No academic credit is offered for these programs. The workshops, etc., are conducted by faculty, departments, or colleges, and must receive review by colleges. The revenue for these programs generally goes through DOCE or its counterpart in the Health Science Center. Sometimes individual faculty members offer courses that are independent of the University of Florida.Student fees
Students are assessed fees in addition to tuition, for such things as student health services, laboratory use, recreation, etc.Traditional instruction
These activities generally include face-to-face exchanges of knowledge and ideas between the instructor and students, all of whom meet at the same time and place. These meetings can occur on or off-campus, in classrooms, laboratories, clinics, worksites, etc. Technologies are occasionally used that allow for real-time exchanges while the instructor and the students are physically separated. Tuition is fixed by the BOR and paid to the University Financial Service.
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* Material drawn from the Distance, Continuing, and Executive Education
Committee Report submitted to the Provost in December of 2000.
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