Glossary

The 5 Ds

A system for dealing with information overload. The 5 Ds stand for: Discard, Deal with it, Determine future action, Direct / Distribute it, Deposit it (i.e. file it).

Apps

Abbreviation of ‘applications’, usually meaning programs that run on a computer or mobile device.

Browser

Short for web browser, a program used to navigate the internet by connecting to a web server, allowing the user to locate, access and display web content.

CAN

A framework developed by the Open University for evaluating information. The letters CAN stand for Credibility, Agenda, Need.

Cortana

A virtual intelligent personal assistant created by Microsoft for Windows devices. Cortana can be set up to work on your PC (personal computer) and phone, enabling you to keep track of information and events wherever you are.

Data

Facts and statistics collected together for reference or analysis. In an online context, data refers to information stored and transmitted electronically for others to see.

DuckDuckGo

A search engine that does not track your online activity and therefore protects your privacy.

Filtering

Dealing with large amounts of search results by using the options in a search engine and / or reading quickly through to focus on the most relevant.

Information overload

Difficulty or stress caused to someone by the presence of too much information.

Personal assistant

In the context of life online, a personal assistant is a kind of virtual secretary who will do tasks for you such as scheduling appointments, organising travel arrangements, or just waking you up in the morning.

PROMPT

A framework developed by the Open University for evaluating information. The letter PROMPT stand for Presentation, Relevance, Objectivity, Method, Provenance and Timeliness.

Scanning

A technique to help you read large amounts of text online to decide whether you should read further.

Search engine

A programme that enables users to find information on the internet.

Search operators

Punctuation or characters that you can use in a search engine query to narrow or widen the focus of your search.

Siri

A built-in ‘personal assistant’ computer programme on Apple devices (iPhones, iPads and iPods) that enables users to speak voice commands in order to operate the mobile device and its apps.

Skimming

A technique for reading online text quickly in order to get an overview.

Viral

To ‘go viral’ describes the way a piece of online content can quickly be seen and shared across the world by a large number of people via the internet.

Wolfram Alpha

A specialist search engine for finding data.