Ever wondered what that "thing" is that all of the kids are walking around with? Check out the gadgets
and gizmos below for a quick technology reference!

 

Hardware, Networking, and Accessories:

	Tower A floor-standing computer with a cabinet that is taller than wider.
	Laptop A portable computer with a flat screen LCD screen that usually weighs about eight pounds.
	Notebook A portable computer much like a laptop, but usually lighter and with a larger screen.
	Tablet PC A portable computer much like a laptop, but the input device utilizes a stylus or pen and the screen.
	Flat panel monitor A thin display screen
	Flat screen monitor A "traditional" computer monitor with a flat screen.
	Mouse A pointing device used with pcs. Connects to the PS/2, USB, or serial port.
	Keyboard A set of input keys on a terminal or computer.
	Wireless Mouse A mouse with no cord that transmits infrared or radio signals to a base station or receiver.
	Wireless Keyboard A set of input keys on a computer that transmits infrared or radio signals to a base station or receiver.
	Infrared or Optical Mouse A mouse with or without a cord that transmits infrared or radio signals to the computer or to a base station or receiver. (Does not contain a tracking ball.)
	Server A computer system in a network that is shared by multiple users.
	Router A network device that forwards packets from one network to another.
	Hub A central connecting device in a network that joins communication lines together.
	Switch A mechanical or eletronic device that directs the flow of electrical or optical signals from one side to another.
	Flash Drive A rewritable memory chip that holds it content without power and usually connects via the USB port.
	DVD Player An electronic device which plays dvd disc.
	CD Player An electronic device which plays cd music disc.
	DVD-R Drive or "Burner" DVD drive for both movies and data that records or "burns" to a disc.
	DVD-R Disc DVD disc that is write-once (read-only).
	CD-RW Drive A CD drive taht "burns" data to a disc.
	CD-R Disc CD disc that is write-once (read-only).
	CD-RW Disc CD disc which is rewritable.

Printers and Accessories:

	Inkjet Printer A printer that propels droplets of ink directly onto the paper or medium.
	Photo Printer A printer specialized for printing pictures.
	Laser Printer A printer that uses a laser and the electrophotographic method to print a full page at a time.
	LPT1 Cable A cable which connects a printer to the parallel port of a computer.
	USB Cable A cord which plugs into the USB port. Most often used to connect printers, scanners, and cameras to a computer.

Projection Devices:

	Projector Projects and enlarges an image from a desktop computer, laptop, vcr, dvd, etc. onto a wall or projection screen.
	Whiteboard The electronic equivalent of chalk and a blackboard.
	Smartboard An interactive whiteboad which allows users to view, write, and save objects to and from a computer.
	FlexCam or Gooseneck Camera A flexible camera which allows an objects to be viewed through a projector or television.
	Document Camera or "ELMO" A camera which allows documents to be placed on its base and the projected.
	Scan Converter A device that changes the video output from a computer to a standard television signal.
	Digital Microscope A microscope which may be connected to a computer that allows users to enlarge and manipulate objects.

Cameras and Accessories:

	Digital Camera A still camera that restores images in digital format.
	Camcorder A combination video camera and videocassette recorder in one unit.
	Camera Docking Port A docking station for a digital camera where the images from the camera may be sent to the computer.
	Memory Stick A rewritable memory chip that holds it content without power.
	Ink Pen Scanner Used like a highligher- this device allows users to collect text electonically.
	Scanner An optical device that reads the printed page and/or image and transfers it into a graphic image for the computer.
	Scantron Machine An electronic grading device
	Web Cam A video camera that is used to send periodic images or continous frames to a website or end-user for display.
	Audio Conferencing Equipment Conferencing equipment used for conference calls via the telephone.
	Video Conferencing Equipment A realtime video session between two or more users where both audio and video is sent.

Handheld Devices and Accessories:

	Pocket PC An operating enviornment for handheld computers from Microsoft based on the Windows CE operating system.
	Palm Pilot A personal digital assistant (PDA) which uses a pen interface and handwriting recognition.
	Docking Station or Cradle A docking station for your pocket pc or palm which allows your PDA to be synchronized with your desktop.
	Pocket PC or Palm Keyboard A set of input keys for your pocket pc or palm.
	Scientific Probes Probes used to measure such things as ph level, temperature, acceleration, etc. that are often connected to palms or graphing calculators.
	Blackberry A wireless data and voice application device which allows users to send and view email as well as talk on the phone.
	iPod A digital music player from Apple which can connect to a pc via a firewire or USB cable.
	Graphing Calculator A calculator which displays graphs from data which has been put in.
	MP3 Player A digital music player that supports the MP3 format.
	LeapPad An electronic device which uses a stylus or pen to recognize information on a page once the corresponding cartridge has been included.
	Leap Port Cartridge Station A docking station for the LeapFrog cartridges - usually connects to the instructor's computer.
	iQuest An interactive, portable device which allows users to review textbook-specific information.
	LEAPSTER A portable handheld electronic device used with educational software.
	Turbo Twister A hands-on electronic device used to practice educational skills.
	Digital Voice Recorder A digital "tape recorder"

Televisions and Accessories:

	Plasma Television A flat screen technology that uses tiny cells lined with phosphor which emits the color to display an image.
	TiVo A system which automatically finds and digtially records television programming.

Software and Accessories:

	eBooks An electronic or digital version of a book.
	Virus Scan Software which scans your computer hard drive or storage media for viruses.
	Spyware Any software that convertly gathers user information through the user's Internet connection without his or her knowledge, usually used for advertising purposes.

Definitions derived from: TechWeb (www.techweb.com/encyclopedia)

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