I

icon

An on-screen symbol that represents a program file, data file, or link.

informal assessment

Method of assessment used to gauge student understanding during instruction; often occurs during a lesson and may differ from student to student, based on student need and level; commonly used strategies include asking questions, reviewing student, and making observations.

inquiry-based learning

Instructional method in which students formulate questions about a phenomenon, fact, or piece of literature and strive to answer those questions through an exploration of the content; based on the idea that students learn and retain more when they are personally engaged with the content; for inquiry, this means they have questions to which they seek answers.

instructional design

Educational practice involving the systematic application of learning theory to the selection of materials and activities that best support learning.

intellectual property rights

Legal protection for ideas under U.S. law; includes patents, trademarks, Web site layout and design, copyright, databases, domain names, etc.

interactive whiteboard

An electronic device that connects to a digital projector to display anything on the computer to which it is connected; enables the user to control computer applications directly from the white board using a finger or hand, write notes in digital ink, save work to share later.

interactive writing

Approach to writing instruction that involves students and teachers in the collaborative composition and writing of text; can be used to teach children about how written text works.

interest groups

Grouping students by interests; often determined by an interest survey.

Internet service provider (ISP)

Company or organization that supplies the Internet connection to a computer.

Intranet

Closed or private network of connected computers.