AAC system: An integrated group of components, including the symbols, aids, strategies, and techniques used to enhance communication.

Academy Modules: Modules developed for students in the three content areas are referred to as Academy modules. The instructor's modules are created for orientation purposes and are not intended for professional development. Rather, they are designed to convey information about Academy modules and how they can be integrated into teacher education programs.

Action plan: This important component of the AAC decision-making process is developed by the AAC team and specifies who is going to do what and by when.

Action research: Inquiry-based research conducted by teachers that follows a process of examining existing practices, implementing new practices, and evaluating the results, leading to an improvement cycle that benefits both students and teachers. Synonyms include"> practitioner research, teacher research, site-based research, and action science.

Aid: A physical object or device used to transmit or receive messages (communication book, chart, etc.).

Aided AAC systems: A symbol system employed by an AAC user that requires external assistance of either an aid or a device.

Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC): An area of clinical practice that attempts to compensate either temporarily or permanently for the impairment and disability patterns of individuals with severe and expressive communication disorders.

Authorable software: Computer programs which allow teachers to add their own content (questions, answers, definitions, pictures, sound files) through the use of simple forms. The teacher-added content is then used in the exercises and activities of the program.

CALL: Acronym for computer-assisted language learning. This is a broad term that refers to any method of teaching and learning a language which includes some type of work on a computer.

CBI: Acronym for computer-based instruction. This term refers to instruction which includes computer use as a central element. In other words, much of the course content is accessed via computer, either online or by using computer software.

Cloze exercises: Text passage with words systematically deleted. These exercises test or give practice in reading comprehension, vocabulary, and grammar, by requiring the students to supply the missing words.

Content Areas: OSEP has specified three content areas within the teacher education curriculum for the Academy to focus on. The content areas include reading, positive behavioral supports and technology in education. These are the content areas from which research-based interventions will be selected and transformed into instructional modules.

Directed Questions: A series of questions about lesson content has been included as a feature in each module. A question is presented. Once students enter their response they are able to access exemplary answers. This allows them to compare their response to responses prepared by the Academy staff.

Drill and practice: A common name for exercises designed to practice a very specific skill or grammar point. Such exercises, while they are useful at times, are also considered to be generally boring and have gained the nickname "drill and kill".

ELLIS curriculum: A comprehensive interactive program for English language learning utilizing video, graphics, animation, text, sound and voice recording. Lessons are designed for high school and adult learners.

ESL: Acronym for English as a second language. This term is widely used in the field of English language instruction in English-speaking countries. (EFL, English as a foreign language, refers to the teaching of English in non-English-speaking countries).

Expectant waiting: Technique for interaction that allows the AAC user ample time to respond during communication.

Expressive communication disorder: Difficulty or inability to participate actively in communication within the natural environment due to a speech, language, and/or hearing impairment.

Freeware: Copyrighted software given away for free by the author. Although it is available for free, the author retains the copyright, which means that you cannot do anything with it that is not expressly allowed by the author. Usually, the author allows people to use the software, but not sell it.

"Hot Potatoes": A freeware suite of authorable programs for making interactive World Wide Web pages. Teachers can use these programs to create their own exercises of various types, which the students can then access over the Internet or over their local school intranet.

IEP: Acronym for Individualized Education Program mandated by IDEA; a plan that is developed for a student enrolled in a special education program by a team of professional educators, the student's parents, and, when appropriate, the student. The IEP must include a statement of the student's present levels of educational performance, annual goals, short-term objectives, specific services needed by the student (including assistive technology services or devices), dates when those services will begin and be in effect, and when the student will be reevaluated.

Interpersonal communication: The ability to notice and respond to verbal and non-verbal actions of others. An example of this would be taking into account silence and pausing as a form of communication.

Intranet: Computers connected for exchanging messages or other information within a specific environment such as a designated computer lab.

L1: This stands for first language, meaning the student's native language.

L2: This is the designation for the language the student is learning, the second language.

LEP: Acronym for Limited English Proficiency. This is a term for students who need additional instruction in English.

Menu: There are menus for each level and lesson in an Academy module. Links to the level menus appear in the center of the menubar. Access any level menu by clicking the level titles in the center of the menubar. Click the up arrow (top right) to access the menu for the current level or to go to the next higher menu level. For example, if you are viewing a page in a lesson the up arrow takes you to the current Lesson menu then to the menu for all Lessons then to the Table of Contents (ToC) for the entire module.

NIDRR: An acronym for a federal agency - National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research.

National Public Radio: A network of non-commercial radio stations which carry national and local programming, funded by the Federal government, educational institutions, corporate donations, and local listeners. They also maintain a large website with an extensive collection of sound files which students can access. Visit their site at: http://www.npr.org/.

Navigation: Navigation refers to the technical process of moving from one feature to another in an online module. The navigation system for Academy modules allows students to follow a critical path, but also to exercise flexibility when they wish to vary from the normal path of progressing through a module.

Network-based language teaching (NBLT): The general term used in most American research journals to refer to any teaching practice intended to create a virtual language environment or community for those who are acquiring a second language.

RESNA: An acronym used to stand for "Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America." It gives technical support to these agencies and projects. RESNA is funded by a grant from the federal agency, NIDRR.

SETT: An acronym that stands for: S=Student, E=Environment, T=Tasks, T=Tools used to name Zabala's(1997) data gathering model. The goal of the model is to guide teachers, specialists, clinicians, and parents to work together collaboratively selecting assistive technology for an individual student who has disabilities.

Shareware: Software that is freely distributed for a small fee paid on an "honor system." You are not required to pay the fee to try the program, but if you like the software enough to use it, you are expected to send the fee directly to the creator.

"SimpleText": A very simple program for writing text on a computer. It lacks most of the formatting and other features found in most word processing programs.

Sociocognitive approach: The focus of language production is on social and cognitive proficiency. Among other things, the approach defines success based on connecting with others and achieving understanding among parties, such as when students exhibit skills or behaviors that involve negotiation of meaning.

TESOL: Acronym for Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages. This is the largest professional organization for ESL teachers in the world. Visit their website for further information: http://www.TESOL.org.

TOEFL: Acronym for Test of English as a Foreign Language. The most widely used test of English required of international students who come to study at universities in the United States.

Table of Contents: Each module includes a general Table of Contents (ToC) covering the entire module. Click "ToC" in the top right of the menubar to access the Table of Contents

"TrackStar": A free Internet-based tool which allows people to make collections of websites, and to include annotations or questions associated with each site. To see this tool, visit the "TrackStar" website at: http://trackstar.scrtec.org

"Type to Learn": A very popular typing instruction program, which includes introduction of each keystroke using illustrations of the fingers and keyboard. The program also includes colorful games and practice activities, keeps a record of each student's progress, and can display a student progress report which the student can print out for the teacher.

Ultimate Word Attack: An authorable program featuring five different vocabulary-practice games. It comes with 4000 words, definitions, and words in context. Teachers can then add their own lists of words and definitions for students to practice. Students can print a certificate when they finish each game. Although this program is used at all levels, the graphics are best suited for the elementary grades.

"Where is the World is Carmen Sandiego?": This is a detective mystery/adventure game designed for native speakers. Students must use travel and geographic clues to solve the mystery.

"Wida Authoring Suite": This is a very versatile group of authorable programs which teachers can use to make their own multiple-choice, matching, cloze, and gap-filling exercises, incorporating graphics, sound, and video if they want to.

Word processing: This term refers to the process of creating and editing documents on a computer, using the computer keyboard and word processing software. Word processing programs usually include a number of formatting and editing tools.

Worldware: This term refers to software which is not specifically designed to be educational, but is in general use as a tool. Examples would include word processing programs and Internet browsers.