P

Packet: A bundle of data transmitted over a network. Packets have no set size; they can range from one character to hundreds of characters.

Page turner: A derogatory term for e-learning that offers little to no graphics or interaction, instead comprising mainly pages of text.

PDA (personal digital assistant): Handheld computer device used to organize personal information such as contacts, schedules, and so forth. Data can usually be transferred to a desktop computer by cable or wireless transmission.

PDF (portable document format): File format developed by Adobe Systems to enable users of any hardware or software platform to view documents exactly as they were created--with fonts, images, links, and layouts as they were originally designed.

Peer-to-peer network (P2P): A communications network that enables users to connect their computers and share files directly with other users, without having to go through a centralized server. Groove is an example of an application that runs on a peer-to-peer network.

Personalization: Tailoring Web content to an individual user. Can be accomplished by a user entering preferences or by a computer guessing about the user's preferences.

Pixel (Picture Element): Tiny dots that make up a computer image. The more pixels a computer monitor can display, the better the image resolution and quality. On a color monitor, every pixel is composed of a red, a green, and a blue dot that are small enough to appear as a single entity.

Plug-and-play: The ability of a personal computer's operating system to recognize and install-- with little to no intervention by the user--new peripheral devices that are added to the computer. Also spelled plug-n-play or plug 'n' play.

Plugfest: A biannual event sponsored by the Advanced Distributed Learning Network that brings together early adopters of the SCORM specifications to validate and document their process in meeting requirements for reuse, adaptability, interoperability, cost-effectiveness, and global access.

Plug-in: An accessory program that adds capabilities to the main program. Used on Webpages to display multimedia content.

PNG (Portable Network Graphics): The patent-free graphics compression format developed by Macromedia expected to replace GIF. PNG offers advanced graphics features such as 48-bit color.

Point-to-multipoint: Transmission between multiple locations using a bridge.

Point-to-point: Transmission between two locations.

POP (Post Office Protocol): The set of rules and standards that govern the retrieval of email messages from a mail server.

Portal: A Website that acts as a doorway to the Internet or a portion of the Internet, targeted towards one particular subject. Also see learning portal.

Post: To place a message in a public message forum. Also, to place an HTML page on the World Wide Web.

Power users: Advanced, sophisticated users of technology (usually a computer application or an operating system) who know more than just the basics needed to operate it.

PPP: A software package that enables a user to connect directly to the Internet over a telephone line.

Practice item: 1) A question or learning activity that serves as an informal validation and reinforcement of instruction. 2) A sample question that precedes a test, designed to ensure that the learner understands the mechanics of the testing system.

Practices: A set of methods or procedures to be followed, as in best practices or standard practices. In e-learning, the methods used to communicate the content to the learner.

Prescriptive learning: A process in which only coursework that matches a learner's identified skill and knowledge gaps is offered to him or her, with the goal of making the learning experience more meaningful, efficient, and cost-effective.

Program: See application.

Projection system: A device for showing video, television, or computer images on a large screen.

Protocol: A formal set of standards, rules, or formats for exchanging data that assures uniformity between computers and applications.

Pull technology: In reference to the Internet or other online services, the technology whereby people use software such as a Web browser to locate and "pull down" information for themselves. See also push technology.

Push technology: In reference to the Internet or other online services, the technology whereby information is sent directly to a user's computer. See also pull technology.