Terms from A-Z

An account is a user account in the broadest sense of the Internet and IT [1]. At the University of Potsdam platforms like Moodle, Puls, Zoom and Microsoft Office are all linked to one account. So-called Single-Sign-On of the University of Potsdam makes it possible that you only need one account for different services [2].

[1] Duden (Last accessed 22.04.2021)

[2] University Potsdam (Last accessed 22.04.2021)

A chat offer the possibility to communicate mainly text-oriented [1]. A chat is integrated into the Zoom web conferencing service. Here you have the possibility to send a message either to all or to single participants. Within Moodle, a chat function is hidden under Messages. Here, for example, students can write to each other after they have been searched for under contacts.

[1] Wirtschaftslexikon(last accessed: 27.04.2021) 

Content often refers to any content that is available online. Examples include slidecasts, lecture slides, an interactive quiz, or even a video recording of a course [1].

[1] Unternehmer Lexikon (last accessed: 27.04.2021)

An electronic assessment is an assessment that is performed with the help of communication technologies. The technologies can be used, for example, in automated (partial) assessment or in decentralized execution on the student's own terminals. The technologies can be used as a classical performance verification, but also as a performance verification of the for the student. Automatic (partial) evaluation is a major strength of e-assessment, furthermore multimedia elements can be integrated and greater evaluation objectivity is possible (unsightly writing has no influence etc.) [1]. Thus, voluntary tests provided by teachers via Moodle for their students as well as online exams via ExamUP belong to the category of e-assessment.

[1] E-Assessments & E-Klausuren (last accessed 27.04.2021)

Edutainment is made up of the words education and entertainment and refers to programs that aim to combine playing and learning through new media (multimedia). The main aim is to increase motivation to learn and to lower the learning barrier [1]. Edutainment is supported e.g. in many H5P contents in Moodle only by graphics and smaller animation. More about this at the H5P contribution!

[1] Online Lexikon für Psychologie und Pädagogik (last accessed: 28.04.2021)

A forum is a virtual space in which participants can exchange information. Communication usually takes place via text, but can also include visuals or sound. The contributions of the participants remain available for a longer period of time and can thus be viewed and/or commented on [1]. In Moodle, an "announcement forum" is created by default, where all participants receive an email as soon as a new post is published. It is possible to set up additional forums that do not necessarily send notifications and can, for example, be topic-specific or only visible to a group.

[1] SEO-Analyse Lexikon (last accessed: 03.05.2021)

H5P is an abbreviation for html 5 Package and is an open source toolbox to create interactive learning content for the web [1]. As a free and open source software there are a lot of prefabricated modules, besides the possibility to create modules by yourself without high technical hurdles [2]. Examples for modules are video or presentations with embedded quiz tasks, memory games or playful math puzzles [3]. Through a plug-in, H5P content can also be integrated into Moodle.

[1] Servicestelle Lehre und Didaktik OTH (last accessed: 03.05.2021)

[2] H5P (last accessed: 03.05.2021)

[3] Wikipedia – H5P (last accessed: 03.05.2021)

Intranet is a combination of the Latin word 'intra' and the English word 'net' and refers to a computer network within an organization. In contrast to the Internet, an organization's intranet can only be accessed by members of that organization [1]. The University of Potsdam also has an intranet. This can be accessed via a VPN connection.

[1] Brockhaus Enzyklopädie Online (last accessed: 03.05.2021)

Media didactics is a branch of didactics, the latter being etymologically derived from the Greek 'téchne didaktiké ("art of teaching") [1]. Media didactics in the school sense sees itself as a dual system: learning with and learning about media [1]. Special emphasis is placed on the efficient and conducive use of digital media [2]. At the university, the Center for Quality Development (ZfQ) offers a lot of information about the use of media in university teaching. A good starting point is here. In addition, there are many university services that can be used, e.g. Moodle, but also Pad.UP, Git.UP or Campus.UP.

[1]Landesmedienzentrum Baden-Würtemberg (last accessed: 05.05.2021)

[2] OERientation – TUHH  (last accessed: 05.05.2021)

OER stands for Open Educational Resources and refers to educational materials of any kind that are published under an open license and can thus be used, edited, supplemented or created free of charge [1]. OER materials offer advantages for teachers and learners, among other things the reuse saves time or offers approaches for possible collaboration [2]. The BrandenbOERg project at the University of Potsdam is helping to promote the use of OER and prepare a state-wide OER standard [3]. Among other things, a freely accessible Moodle course has been set up with information about OER basics [4].

[1] OER -Website (last accessed: 06.05.2021)

[2] FH Bielefeld – Warum OER? (last accessed: 06.05.2021)

[3] Universität Potsdam – OER (last accessed: 06.05.2021)

[4] OER-Basics Moodle Kurs (last accessed: 06.05.2021)

QR stands for quick response. This is a two-dimensional code that can be read and evaluated by devices with the appropriate app/software [1]. QR codes can be used in a variety of ways, such as collecting feedback, displaying a business card or directing users to specific websites with just one scan of the code. With the help of generators, you can also easily create QR codes yourself [2]. In the university everyday life QR codes are used for example with the PEP surveys, in order to forward the students to the appropriate side simply, fast and uncomplicated.

[1] Wikipedia (last accessed: 07.05.2021)

[2]QR-Code Generator (last accessed: 0.7.05.2021)

A combination of presentation slides (slide) and a podcast (audio recording) is also called a slidecast [1]. This audiovisual media format can be used, for example, for the implementation of an asynchronous lecture and made available to the students. Powerpoint or Camtasia, for example, are suitable for recording, for which the University of Potsdam issues licenses [2].

[1] e-teaching.org (last accessed: 11.05.2021)

[2] ZIM – Software & Campuslizenzen (last accessed: 11.05.2021)

Usability can best be translated as usability or user-friendliness [1]. This is always context and user dependent, which makes it not easily quantifiable. Criteria that should be evaluated to assess usability are effectiveness, learnability, flexibility and accessibility [2]. A rule of thumb that can help you to assess usability is that good usability is usually not explicitly perceived, whereas bad usability is [1].

[1] Usability.com (last accessed: 11.05.2021)

[2] Das eLearning Typepad (last accessed: 11.05.2021)

The term wiki comes from the Hawaiian word "wiki" and means fast. It describes a very easy to use content management system, which is especially used for a collaborative collection of knowledge [1].  More about wikis can be read  at this point compiled by the ZfQ of the University of Potsdam.

[1] e-teaching.org (last accessed: 19.05.2021)