Computer Skills Curriculum
Glossary Grade 6

button: In hypermedia programs, as object or feature used to create links between different cards, to initiate other actions, or to reproduce sound. For example, a button can be created to send a message to a laserdisc player to run a video segment. (WP, Gr. 6)

camcorder: A hand-held video camera. (WP, Gr. 6)

card: In hypermedia programs, an electronic card that is used to store some type of data. Cards have different components used for information storage or actions. For example, a card might have a picture of a tiger, a button to press to hear sound, and text describing a tiger. Cards of information form a hypermedia stack. (WP, Gr. 6)

CD-ROM: Stands for Compact Disk Read Only Memory. An optical disk that can only be read from and not written to. (WP, Gr. 6)

cell: The intersection of a row and a column on a spreadsheet in which data can be entered. Cells are designated by their column letter and row number -- B4. (SpSht, Gr. 6)

clip art: A series of picture files that are stored on a disk that can be "clipped" and pasted into a document. (WP, Gr. 6)

column: the vertical divisions of a spreadsheet that intersect the horizontal divisions (rows) to form cells in which data can be entered. columns are labeled alphabetically (A,B,C,...AB,AC,AD...). (SpSht, Gr. 6)

computer generated effects: The use of a computer in making a film to create certain effects. (WP, Gr. 6)

computer graphics: The creation, display, and storage of pictures with a computer. (WP, Gr. 6)

computer-related vandalism: Act of damaging, altering, or destroying a computer, computer peripherals, computer software, or computer service. (Eth, Gr. 5-6)

copyright law: Law granting a legal right to a copyright holder which requires the permission of the copyright holder to make non-archival copies of the work in question. (Eth, Gr. 3, 6)

desktop publishing: A computerized layout program that integrates graphics and text to produce a professional looking document. (WP, Gr. 6)

digitized effects: To change analog information into digital information that the computer can use to produce certain effects. For example, when a picture is scanned, the picture image is digitized. This means that the picture image is converted to a digital or numerical format. (WP, Gr. 6)

field/category: 1. An item of information in a record of a file in a database. 2. In hypermedia, an object or area on a card or page where text is entered. (DB, Gr. 5; WP, Gr. 6)

font: A specific design for a set of letters and characters. (WP, Gr. 6)

formula: a type of information that can be entered into a spreadsheet cell. It is a mathematical equation consisting of numbers, other cell designators, and symbols for mathematical operations. the result of the formula is displayed in the cell that holds the formula. (SpSht, Gr. 6)

graphing: A feature in a software program that allows numerical data to be interpreted as a graph or chart. (WP, Gr. 6)

HyperCard/HyperStudio/LinkWay: Authoring systems that allow for text, graphics, sound, animation, and other effects to be composed for a presentation or for organizing information; hypermedia. (WP, Gr. 6)

hypermedia: A way (for users and programmers) to gather, organize, present, search and customize information from multimedia, databases, and other types of stored information. HyperCard, HyperStudio, and LinkWay are three examples of hypermedia programs. (See button, card, field.) (WP, Gr. 6)

hypertext: "Active text" where one word is linked to another into a computer program; a type of indexing system. (See hypermedia, button, card, field.) (WP, Gr. 6)

label: A type of data that can be entered into a spreadsheet cell. It consists of words that usually label a column or row of numbers. (SpSht, Gr. 6)

laserdisc: A disc that is recorded with sound and pictures and read on a laserdisc player by a laser beam. (WP, Gr. 6)

layout: The physical placement of texts and graphics in a document. (WP, Gr. 6)

morphing: Used to create exciting visuals and special effects in movies. A film image is scanned into the computer then changed by a graphics artist. This image is sometimes combined with images created on the computer and then integrated into a film clip to make effects that look real. (WP, Gr. 6)

move: To rearrange text in a document. (WP, Gr. 6)

multimedia: The merging of traditional computer creation with other media such as laserdisc, television, CD-ROM, sound and video. (WP, Gr. 6)

outliner: A software program that will assist the user in producing an outline. (WP, Gr. 6)

piracy: The unauthorized duplication and distribution of copyright-protected software. (Eth, Gr. 6)

row: The horizontal divisions of a spreadsheet that intersect the vertical divisions (columns) to form cells in which data can be entered. Rows are labeled numerically (1,2,3,4,...). (SpSht, Gr. 6)

scanner: A peripheral device that converts text or pictures into bit-mapped data that is put into a computer. The digitized images can then be edited. (WP, Gr. 6)

spreadsheet: An applications program, used in financial forecasting, that can quickly handle calculations and perform evaluation. (SpSht, Gr. 6)

type styles: Features in a word processing program that allow for changes in the appearance of text such as bold, italics, and underlining. (WP, Gr. 6)

value: One type of data that can be entered into a spreadsheet cell. It consists of numbers that can be added, subtracted, etc. (SpSht, Gr. 6)

virtual reality: A lifelike world that is created by a computer in which participants can become part of the action. (WP, Gr. 6)