Glossary
Searchable terminology from accessibility, web standards, and related fields.
13 results found in STEM education.
- Block-Based Programming (Visual Block Programming, Block Coding, Blocks-Based Programming)
- A programming paradigm where users create code by selecting and connecting visual blocks that snap together like puzzle pieces, rather than typing text-based syntax. Each block represents a programmin…
- Blocks4All
- An accessible touchscreen-based block-based programming environment designed for students with visual impairments. Blocks4All enables drag-and-drop-like programming interactions on touchscreen devices…
- Breadboard (Solderless Breadboard, Protoboard)
- A reusable plastic board with a grid of interconnected holes used for building temporary electronic circuits without soldering. Components are inserted into the holes and connected by internal metal s…
- Circuit Design (Electronic Circuit Design, Circuit Schematic Design)
- The process of creating and representing electrical circuits that perform specific functions, using standard symbolic representations called schematics to show how components like resistors, capacitor…
- Code Jumper (Project Torino)
- An accessible physical programming toolkit originally developed by Microsoft Research (under the name Project Torino) that uses tangible pods connected by cables to teach programming concepts to child…
- DO-IT (Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking and Technology)
- A pioneering program founded at the University of Washington in 1992 by Sheryl Burgstahler, funded by the National Science Foundation, to increase the participation of students with disabilities in sc…
- Maker Education (Making, Maker Movement, Makerspace Education)
- An educational approach that emphasizes hands-on learning through designing, building, and debugging physical artifacts using tools such as electronics, 3D printers, laser cutters, and microcontroller…
- Quorum (Quorum Programming Language)
- An evidence-based programming language designed with accessibility as a core principle, making it usable by people with and without visual impairments. Quorum provides audio input and output, screen r…
- Swift Playgrounds (Apple Swift Playgrounds)
- A hybrid block-based and text-based programming environment developed by Apple for iPad and Mac that teaches coding using the Swift programming language. Swift Playgrounds is notable in the accessibil…
- Tangible Programming (Physical Programming, Tangible Coding, Tactile Programming)
- A programming approach that uses physical objects — such as blocks, cards, or robots — that users can manipulate with their hands to create programs, rather than typing code or dragging on-screen elem…
- Web-Based Learning (WBL, Online Learning, E-Learning)
- An educational approach that delivers instructional content and learning experiences through web browsers and internet-connected platforms, encompassing everything from static course websites to inter…
- Weed-Out Course (Gateway Course, Gatekeeper Course, Barrier Course)
- A course in higher education, typically in STEM fields, that is perceived as intentionally rigorous to filter out students who are deemed unlikely to succeed in a given discipline. Courses like organi…
- eMaking (Electronic Making, e-Making)
- A form of making that focuses on electronic and digital fabrication tools and activities, including 3D printing, laser cutting, programming microcontrollers, robotics, and working with electronic comp…