Longman Dictionary of

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computer conferencing
a test in which items are presented to test takers on a computer.
COMPUTER ADAPTIVE TESTING is a special case of more general computerbased
testing.
computer conferencing n
a form of computer-mediated communication. Computer conferencing
programs rely on the filing and organizing powers of a host computer
and boost up the participation and management of group discussions
through an electronic network. The discussions can be in real time, in
which case the discussants are logged on to a computer simultaneously,
or they can be in non-real time. Computer conferencing has many
applications in language teaching, such as its use as a forum for
classroom discussions and as a means of introducing process writing to
students.
Computer-Enhanced Language Instruction Archive n
also CELIA
a computer-assisted language learning software archive accessed via
gopher and FTP
computer-mediated communication
also CMC
using one or more computers to facilitate communication between
two or more people. INTERNET RELAY CHAT (IRC) isone popular form of
this.
computer language n
a system used to write computer programs, consisting of elements such as
symbols, commands and functions which are combined according to
specific rules to perform operations on specific types of data. Dozens of
computer languages have been designed for different purposes. Computer
“languages” have many interesting formal properties, but do not have the
functional properties associated with natural languages.
computer literacy n computer literate adj
having sufficient knowledge and skill in the use of computers and computer
software to be able to live in a computer-orientated society.
concept n
the general idea or meaning which is associated with a word or symbol in
a person’s mind. Concepts are the abstract meanings which words and
other linguistic items represent. Linguists believe all languages can express
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