Glossary

These are just a few of the items included in our nearly 450-page handbook.

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J
K | L | M | N | O | P | R | S | T | U | V | W | Z

Back Button

Is the button on your browser that will page back through visited web pages starting with the page previously viewed. This button should not be your primary source for navigation within WebCT. It can give inconsistent results.

Batch Upload

A batch upload is a text (.txt) file or small program that you create to enable you to transfer formatted data usually to a database. In WebCT you can batch upload to Manage Students, Glossary, Calendar, Student Tips, Self-Test and Quiz.

Backup

In general, a backup is the copying of files so that they will be preserved in case of equipment failure or some other catastrophe. In WebCT making a backup is the act of saving a copy of the entire course either by the designer or administrator. Within WebCT this backup copy is portable.

Bandwidth

Describes how fast data flows from one computer to another usually over the Internet. The transfer rate is usually measured in bits per second (bps). The higher the bps, the faster the transmission. For example a 57,600 bps modem has twice the bandwidth and therefore has the potential to be twice as fast as a 28,800 bps modem.

Boolean

The use of the operators AND, OR, and NOT while using a search engine on the web. This advanced searching feature is not available in WebCT.

Bookmarks

There are three different types of bookmarks:

Browser bookmarks: This is a feature that is used to save specified web pages in your browser. In some browsers, bookmarks are referred to as Favorites.
In WebCT there is a "bookmarks" feature within the Content Module that is used to bookmark pages within Content Modules. The bookmarks feature covers all the Content Modules in a course.
Another WebCT bookmark refers to Personal and Institutional bookmarks on the myWebCT interface. They are hyperlinks to websites.

Braille Printer

This is one type of assistive technology for the blind. These printers (embossers) produce Braille output when attached to appropriately configured computers. Many Braille printers use the JAWS screen reader.

Branching

Branching allows the instructor to direct the flow of the course based upon a student's performance. In WebCT any column in the Manage Student Gradebook can be used as a basis for branching.

Breadcrumbs

A special navigation that indicates where a user has visited, usually beginning from the Homepage. For example, Home > Discussions > Main. WebCT added this special navigation in version 3.0.

Browser

An application program that allows a user to navigate the World Wide Web. The most popular versions are Netscape Navigator and Microsoft Internet Explorer.

Browser Cache

The cache is the temporary storage of web files in your browser. By referencing files in the cache, pages load more quickly. In WebCT this can cause some confusion especially during a Quiz. Setting a browser cache to refresh every time eliminates these potential problems. In Internet Explorer the browser cache is referred to as temporary Internet files. See chapter on Hardware and Software Requirements.

Browser Print Function

Initiated from File and Print or by keyboard Control P. In frames it is best if the desired text to print is highlighted otherwise the wrong page or frame may be printed.