Electronic mail (e-mail): a communication system whereby a computer user can send a message using the electronic connections provided by the Internet to a computer user that is connected to the same system.

Formal education: education offered by public or private educational institutions following standardized curricula and providing recognized accreditation.

Freenet: an Internet server organized on a cooperative basis by members to provide free or low cost Internet access to its members.

Full time enrolment: the total number of students enrolled full time at an educational institution. Definitions of full time study are not consistent but usually include learners who take more than three courses in one term or semester.

Information Highway: also called the electronic highway, an advanced information and communications infrastructure that links businesses, homes, governments and institutions, and provides a range of services including entertainment, education, cultural and social information, databanks, computing, electronic commerce, banking and business services.

Internet: a network of networks that links computers and enables transfer of information and communication worldwide.

Internet Service Provider: an agency that, through hardware, software and communications systems, provides the bridge that links local computer users to the Internet.

Lifelong learning: the concept that learning continues throughout life in response to needs related to training, interest, or skill development.

Modem: hardware that converts data into the digital language of computers and allows computers to communicate through telephone lines.

New Educational Technologies: or "new learning technologies" usually refers to electronically based systems for communication and information transfer, such as audio conferencing, audiographics, videoconferencing, electronic mail, and computer conferencing.

Nonformal learning: a learning experience that does not lead to specific accreditation, from interest courses offered by educational providers to an individual's learning project pursued for personal interest.

Open learning: a system that provides more flexible access to learning than is available through conventional classroom-based instruction, and can include strategies such as materials for use at home, access to tutorial help on a "drop-in" basis, and computer programs that learners access at a local centre at their own convenience.

Part time enrolment: the total number of learners who study part time, as defined by the educational institution, but usually including those who take three courses or less in a given term or semester.

Post Secondary Education: the educational system that comprises universities, colleges, university- colleges and technical institutes.

Real time Transmission: the transfer of data, voice or video images at the same time as the recipient is receives it.

Satellite Transmission: sending data, voice or images by means of an electronic signal to antennas on a geostationary satellite in space that is moving at the same speed as the earth's rotation and is thus in a fixed position over a specific region of the globe. The signal is then transferred from the satellite's antenna to satellite receive dishes on earth.

Training: programs focused on skill development enabling learners to attain trade or professional qualifications, or to meet the skill levels required of a specific type of job.

Universal Education: the principle that all members of the population have the right to a certain level of education or to education between specified ages.

Videoconferencing: a system of transmitting video and sound images between two or more sites enabling participants to see and hear each other. The signal may be transmitted by satellite or through the telephone system depending on the equipment and networks available in a particular region.

World Wide Web: an Internet system that provides access to a wide range of information by linking documents that can include text, graphics, sounds. An individual or organization provides information in a format especially designed for the Web on what is called a Webpage. Software, known as search engines, enables users to find sites using keywords or phrases. The process could be compared to a giant encyclopedia with pictures and with pages contributed from people allover the world.