IAETE: K12 TCO Calculator

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Glossary

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audioconferencing unit

An audioconferencing unit allows telephone conference participants at multiple locations to freely communicate. Audioconferencing is traditionally accomplished by using standard telephone lines, although new technologies, such as Internet telephony, are becoming available.

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backup power supply

Referred to as an uninterruptible power supply (UPS), the backup power supply allows users to save computer files and turn off hardware safely when the normal electrical power supply is interrupted. Small backup power supplies can run for a few minutes, and larger ones supply power for longer periods. (top)

ceiling-mounted projector

This data projector, permanently mounted to the ceiling, displays the images on a computer monitor to a screen in a large room. Small, portable data projectors can be transported easily between classes and other rooms. (top)

communication jack

Jacks can be used for data and voice signals, either analog or digital. Analog phone lines use RJ12 connectors; digital equipment, such as computers and some PBX phone systems, uses larger RJ45 connectors. (top)

E-Rate

The Universal Service Fund, or E-Rate was created as part of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 to help eligible schools, libraries, and hospitals in the United States install modern telecommunication and information services. These services are most often interpreted as connection to the Internet. All K-12 schools and public libraries may apply for the funding and schools receive discounts of 20 to 90 percent according to the percentage of enrolled students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunches and the funds available in a given year.

The U.S. Department of Education provides an E-Rate Menu helpful for finding answers to common questions about the program.

A detailed list of eligible services is available as a PDF file from the Universal Service Administrative Company.

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ergonomics

Also referred to as human engineering or human factors engineering, ergonomics is the study of the relationship among people, the equipment they use, and the environments in which the equipment is used. Many modern technologies, especially computers, benefit from applying physical and visual parameters that can help avoid pain and fatigue during use. (top)

firewall

This software application is designed to prevent unauthorized access to a network. (top)

handheld computer

Commonly referred to as PDAs (for Personal Digital Assistants), small handheld computers were first designed to help busy professionals access common scheduling and contact information. Handheld computers continue to become more powerful and many run Windows-based (or similar) operating systems, are wireless, and interface directly with portable keyboards, a variety of probes, and other computers. In schools, handheld computers are most often used for quick access to and storage of information while desktop computers are more often used for artifact creation and editing. Sometimes called palmtops or pocket computers, popular handheld computer models include Palm Pilots, Visor by Handspring, and Compaq iPAQs. (top)

integrated computer

An integrated device combinines two or more components into a system, either hardware or software. Integrated computers combine processors and monitors. Normally, computers and monitors are considered separately for the purpose for cost determination. This is not the case with integrated computers or notebooks. Apple's i-Mac is a popular integrated computer. (top)

Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN)

An international communication standard for sending voice, video, and data over phone lines. ISDN supports data transfer rates of 64 Kbps (64,000 bits per second) and is much faster than dial-up modem service. (top)

Internet Service Provider (ISP)

Most ISPs are large companies—such as AOL, NetZero, and Earthlink—that provide access to the Internet. Many provide a variety of services in a wide range of prices—including free. (top)

kilowatt hour

This is the unit by which power companies charge for electical service. The average national kilowatt hour is approximately $ 0.08. (top)

loaded rate

The salary paid to a teacher or administrator is only one component of the total direct cost of employing that individual. Other costs include money set aside or expended for items such as pensions, health care, social security, unemployment, and life insurance. For the purpose of the K12 TCO Calculator, the loaded rate is the total of the salary and these other related costs. (top)

Local Area Network (LAN)

A LAN is a computer network that connects computers and other devices within a relatively small area, such as the building(s) on a single school campus. A LAN often connects to larger networks including the World Wide Web. (top)

multimedia-capable computer

In the 1996 report Getting America's Students Ready for the 21st Century: Meeting the Technology Literacy Challenge, former President Clinton set the goal that "all teachers and students will have modern multimedia computers in their classrooms" as one of four long-range goals for the country's schools. This encouraged schools to actively seek a student-to-computer ratio of at least 5:1. However, this ratio depended on obtaining modern multimedia computers capable of running the media-rich content available on the Internet and from stand-alone software applications.

Minimum system requirements used in these calculations: 1,000 MHz (1 GigaHz) with 128 RAM, 60x CD, 800 x 600 resolution monitor, 16 MB videocard, 32-bit sound card, Internet capable.

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network applicance

Also called a network computer or Internet appliance. These scaled-down computers have limited processing power and storage and are primarily intended to connect to a network, either a LAN or larger network such as the Internet. Several online subscription services utilize both wired and wireless network appliances to access content and/or the Internet. (top)

notebook computer

Also called laptop computers, notebook computers typically weigh less than 6 pounds and often have lightweight, flat-panel monitors. Notebooks may be plugged in to a power supply but also come with batteries that allow them to run for two to six hours before recharging. These computers meet or exceed the minimum system requirements for a multimedia-capable computer. (top)

online subscription service

Numerous Web-based services are available for schools, from single-purpose research services to full-scale curriculum services. Examples of subscription reference services include FirstSearch, InfoTrac, and Ebso Host. Examples of subscription content services are NetSchools and K12.com. (top)

PBX

An acronym for Private Branch eXchange, this private telephone network allows users within a system, such as a school, to share a set number of external lines. This system is much less expensive than installing external lines to every phone in a school. (top)

portable data storage unit

Data storage units vary in format and size but are used primarily for allowing teachers to backup and distribute digital data. This is especially necessary for teachers who must share classrooms and computers. Some common portable data storage formats include Zip disks by Iomega, writable CD-ROMs, and Compact Flash cards that can be used in a variety of hardware including comptuers and digital cameras. (top)

server

A server is a specialized computer that stores data and manages routing across a network. Schools may use servers as file servers, print servers, network servers, or database servers. (top)

technology plan

Most states require schools and districts to have technology plans, either as stand-alone documents or as part of larger school improvement plans. Technology plans often span five years and outline expenditures for hardware and software. They also consider instructional goals and professional development requirements, and identify time lines, responsible parties, and benchmarks for measuring success. (top)

thin-client server

This is the the server computer that handles most of the processing of applications for a thin-client network. (See thin-client terminal below.) (top)

thin-client terminal

The user end of a client/server network is called the thin-client terminal. These terminals do not usually have hard drives and depend on a server to run most required applications. (top)

Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)

The business world, where multiyear budgeting and planning are common, looks upon technology as a tool to increase productivity. Business models often calculate the approximate total cost of ownership for technology initiatives through formulas that incorporate both expenditures on hardware and software and maintenance, replacement, training, and all aspects of the business that are impacted by the core system. (top)

webcam

Small digital cameras used for visual communication across the Internet. Often inexpensive, these cameras interface with a computer and may take still pictures as well as broadcast and capture videos at a low frame rate. The popular Internet-based application CUSeeMe uses a webcam. (top)

wireless

Cellular phones are perhaps the most ubiquitous wireless devices, but schools may utilize wireless networks to support their LANs. Instead of using cabling, wireless networks use a microwave, spread-spectrum radio, or infrared signal to broadcast transmissions. Some wireless systems require cabling up to a hub, which then broadcasts to wireless devices, such as computers or PDAs. Wireless hubs can be a less-expensive strategy than wired systems to provide Internet access in existing buildings and to outlying buildings such as portables. (top)

IAETE: K12 TCO Calculator