IB Digital Society A-G

Accessibility

The quality of being easy to use.

Accountability

A person is accountable for the consequences arising from a decision that has been made. Accountability is a concept that is focused on what has happened. A person can be responsible for getting items done, and then can be accountable for the consequences.

Actuator

A device that moves or controls some form of mechanism.

Additive manufacturing

Adds raw materials layer by layer to build an object or product, as in 3D printing.

Air pollution

Pollution released into the air either through exposure to heat or burning.

Algorithm

A procedure or formula for solving a problem that is based on a sequence of steps.

Analogue

Continuous physical quantities and signals.

Anonymity

The use of digital technology to conceal a person's true identity.

Anthropomorphism

Attributing human characteristics to non-human entities.

Application software

Software that serves a specific purpose, such as a word processor or video editor.

Assembly language

Used by programmers to write code for special hardware or so that a task can be performed very quickly.

Assistive technology

Any item, equipment, programme or product that enhances the life for people living with disabilities.

Association rule

Uncovers how items are associated with each other and reveals relationships between items in large databases.

Asynchronous

Remote learning that can happen at any time using pre-recorded content.

Augmented reality (AR)

Digital content overlaid on to a real-world experience.

Automation

The increased use of technology in a process, which reduces the need for human involvement.

Autonomous vehicle

A vehicle with the ability to drive itself and operate without human intervention.

Bandwidth

The maximum rate of data transfer at any one time, measured in hertz (Hz).

Behavioural competencies

The interpersonal skills required to do a job well.

Big data

Term used to describe large volumes of data, which may be both structured or unstructured.

Binary

A system used to convert verbal logic statements into mathematical ones.

Biodiversity

The variety in animal and plant life in a particular community or ecosystem.

Bio-hacking

Any activity that helps you gain control over your own biology.

Biometric information

Physiological details about a person that cannot change, such as their fingerprints.

Biometric passport

A passport that contains an electronic microprocessor chip biometric information about the passport holder.

Bioprinting

The 3D printing of tissues using a combination of cells, proteins or biocompatible plastic that simulates the skeleton.

Bit

A binary digit - either a O or a 1.

Black box algorithm

An algorithm that provides insight without clarity on how the conclusions were reached from the data input.

Blockchain

A digital ledger of transactions that is duplicated and distributed across a network of computers

Borderless selling

The process of selling goods across national borders.

Brick and mortar store

A retail outlet with a physical building.

Byte

A group of binary digits (usually eight).

Cache

The small amount of memory built into the CPU that stores data while it is being processed.

Cancel culture

Public backlash on social media when a person or organisation says or does something that is considered objectionable or offensive.

Carbon footprint

The total greenhouse gas emissions caused by a person, place or product.

Cashless society

A society in which all transactions are carried out electronically.

Celebrations

Important events and milestones that are honoured and observed within a culture.

Censorship

The suppression or banning of certain content, speech or other information.

Central processing unit (CPU)

The part of a computer that carries out and controls the computer's instructions.

Citizen scientists

Ordinary people who want to become involved in scientific research with the aim of increasing scientific knowledge.

Client-server network

A type of network where data is stored centrally on a server and access is given to each device (client) connected to the network.

Climate change

Long-term shifts in the global or regional climate, such as temperature and weather patterns.

Cloud network

Incorporates some or all of the network capabilities on a public or private cloud platform.

Cobot

Robot designed to work alongside humans and augment their capabilities.

Code of conduct

A set of rules outlining the standards that must be followed within an organisation.

Competency development

The practice of developing competencies in particular skills.

Computer

A machine or device that processes data, performs calculations and conducts operations based on algorithms provided by software and hardware programs; it can input data, process it, store it and produce an output.

Concentric diversification

When a business adjusts their existing product lines to meet a wider customer audience.

Concepts

In digital society, these are powerful, widespread ideas that open up different perspectives and provide insight during inquiries into the real-world use of digital technologies.

Confirmation bias

The tendency to accept news and facts that confirm our existing beliefs.

Conglomerate diversification

When a business adds new products that are completely separate from their existing operations.

Content

In digital society, this is the study of the digital technologies used.

Contexts

In digital society, this is the study of digital technologies in a variety of real-life examples.

Copyleft

When owners of original work allow others to use their copyrighted property freely under specific conditions.

Copyright

Legal protection for the creators of literary and artistic works including books, music, paintings, films and computer programs, which may also be digital.

Counterfeit

To imitate fraudulently.

Creative computing

The interdisciplinary area at the cross-over of the arts and computing.

Critical-thinking skills

The process of conceptualising, applying, analysing, synthesising, and/or evaluating information.

Crowdfunding

Collecting money over the internet to support start-ups, charities and other causes.

Crowdsourcing

Collecting information/ideas/work from a large group of people, usually over the internet.

Cryptocurrency

A digital currency that use blockchain technology to create a decentralised encrypted ledger.

Customer review

Is the evaluation of particular items posted by previous customers or users.

Customs

Traditional ways of behaving or doing things.

Cyberbullying

Bullying carried out online, for example, on social media.

Cybernetics

The study of communication and control in both living things and machines, especially automatic control systems such as the human nervous system, and mechanical- electrical communication systems.