Glossary of terms, acronyms and abbreviations - Teaching with Technologies: The Essential Guide - page 214

Foundation
subjects

Subjects that state-maintained schools are required by law to
teach. In England four Foundation subjects are designated Core
subjects (q.v.) in the national curriculum (until 2014). Different
subjects are compulsory at different Key Stages in England.

Hardware a general term for referring to computers and, often, other

peripheral devices such as printers that connect to computers.

ICT Information and Communications Technology : includes a

range of tools and techniques relating to computer-based hardware
and software. For example, word-processing, databases, graphics
and spread-sheet applications; Internet access that supports other
communication activities, such as email, video-conferencing.

IT Information Technology : methods of gaining, storing

and retrieving information through microprocessors. often
encompassed within Information and Communications
Technology (ICT), a compulsory subject in the National
Curriculum for England.

IWB Interactive whiteboard : a large, touch-sensitive board which is

connected to a digital projector and a computer.

Internet The worldwide 'network of networks' connected by telephone

communication systems; enables the transfer of information such
as text, pictures, databases and email, and provides publishing and
networking opportunities.

ITT Initial Teacher Training (ITT) provides accredited programmes that

lead to QTS (Qualified Teacher Status) and these are conducted in
universities and colleges throughout the UK.

Key Stage
(KS)

The periods in each pupil's education to which the elements of the
National Curriculum apply. There are four Key Stages, normally
related to the age of the majority of the pupils in a teaching group.
They are: Key Stage 1, beginning of compulsory education to age
7 (Foundation stage, Years 1 and 2); Key Stage 2, ages 7-11 (Years
3-6); Key Stage 3, ages 11-14 (Years 7-9); Key Stage 4, 14 to end of
compulsory education (Years 10 and 11). Post-16 is a further Key
Stage.

Local
Authority
(LA)

Local authority - have a statutory duty to provide education
in their geographical area; each La is a government designated
regional area in the UK.

Learning
Outcomes

These are specific statements, which set out what pupils are
expected to learn from a particular lesson in a way that allows
teachers to identify if learning has occurred. These specify the
expected pupil outputs.

MMOs Massively Multiplayer Online computer games.