ILTS Technology Specialist (223) key terms

A written agreement, signed by staff and students, that defines permitted and prohibited use of school devices, networks, and accounts. It typically covers privacy expectations, consequences for violations, and rules for installing software or connecting personal devices.

The set of norms for responsible, safe, legal, and ethical behavior when using technology. In schools it covers online etiquette, cyberbullying awareness, intellectual property, privacy, and digital footprint management, and is usually taught explicitly to students.

The persistent record of a person's online activity, including posts, searches, comments, and metadata. Because it can be viewed by future employers or colleges, instruction usually emphasizes auditing privacy settings and thinking before posting.

The federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act protects education records, giving parents and eligible students rights to inspect and amend them and limiting disclosure without consent. It governs how districts handle student data stored in information systems.

The Children's Online Privacy Protection Act requires verifiable parental consent before collecting personal information online from children under 13. It shapes which apps and web services a district may approve for elementary students.

The Children's Internet Protection Act conditions certain federal funding on schools filtering obscene or harmful internet content and adopting an internet safety policy. Districts must document filtering and monitoring practices to remain eligible for E-rate discounts.

Hardware or software that blocks or allows web traffic based on categories, URLs, or keywords. Districts configure filters to satisfy CIPA, and technicians troubleshoot over-blocking of legitimate instructional sites by adding allowlist exceptions.

A network security device or program that inspects traffic and permits or denies it according to rules. It separates trusted internal networks from the internet and may combine stateful inspection, application filtering, and VPN termination.

An intermediary that forwards client requests to other servers and returns responses. Schools use proxies for caching, content filtering, and logging; technicians must configure client devices or PAC files so applications reach the internet correctly.

A virtual local area network that logically segments a physical switch into separate broadcast domains. Districts commonly place student, staff, guest, and management traffic on distinct VLANs to improve security and performance.

A subdivision of an IP network created by applying a subnet mask to an address range. Subnets limit broadcast traffic and let technicians route traffic between buildings or VLANs using defined gateway addresses.

Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol automatically assigns IP addresses, subnet masks, gateways, and DNS servers to devices. Technicians troubleshoot address conflicts, scope exhaustion, and rogue DHCP servers that disrupt connectivity.

The Domain Name System translates human-readable hostnames into IP addresses. When users report that websites fail to load by name but work by address, technicians check DNS server settings, records, and caching.

A numeric label assigned to each device on a network so data can be routed to it. IPv4 addresses are 32-bit; IPv6 addresses are 128-bit and are increasingly used as districts exhaust IPv4 ranges.

A network device that forwards frames between devices on the same local network using MAC addresses. Managed switches support VLANs, port security, and power over Ethernet for classroom access points and cameras.

A device that forwards packets between different networks and selects paths using routing tables. In a district, routers connect building networks to the WAN and internet and enforce access control lists.

A unique hardware identifier burned into a network interface card. Technicians use MAC addresses for DHCP reservations, switch port security, and wireless access control, and can spoof them for testing.

A device that bridges wireless clients to a wired network. Technicians plan placement and channel use to cover classrooms, configure SSIDs and authentication, and diagnose interference from microwaves or neighboring networks.

The name that identifies a wireless network. Districts often broadcast separate SSIDs for staff, students, and guests, each mapped to its own VLAN and authentication method.

A standard that delivers electrical power and data over the same Ethernet cable. It lets technicians install access points, IP cameras, and VoIP phones where electrical outlets are unavailable.

Microsoft's directory service that stores user accounts, groups, and computers and controls authentication and access. Districts use it to manage staff and student accounts centrally and to apply Group Policy settings.

Lightweight Directory Access Protocol is a standard for querying and modifying directory services such as Active Directory. Technicians use it to connect applications to central user directories for authentication and account lookup.

An authentication scheme in which one login grants access to multiple systems. Districts use SSO, often through a federated identity provider, to simplify access for staff and students and to centralize account deactivation.

Requiring two or more independent verification factors, such as a password plus a code from a phone, before granting access. Districts use MFA to protect email and administrative accounts from credential theft.

Rules governing password length, complexity, reuse, and expiration. Technicians configure policies in directory services and educate users, balancing security requirements against practical usability for young students.

A Microsoft Windows feature that centrally applies configuration settings to users and computers in a domain. Technicians use it to enforce security settings, map drives, deploy software, and restrict device access.

Deploying a standardized operating system and software configuration to many computers from a master image. Districts use imaging to provision labs and device carts quickly and to restore machines after failure.

Software that enrolls, configures, secures, and remotely wipes mobile devices such as tablets and laptops. Districts use MDM to push apps and restrictions to student devices and to locate or disable lost equipment.

The practice of tracking hardware and software inventory, ownership, location, warranty status, and lifecycle. Districts use asset tags and database records to plan replacements and support audits and insurance claims.

The legal terms governing installation and use of software, including seat counts, device versus user licensing, and subscription terms. Technicians must verify compliance before imaging or distributing applications.

Software that records, prioritizes, assigns, and tracks support requests to resolution. Districts use ticket categories, service-level targets, and knowledge bases to manage volume and identify recurring problems.

Using tools to view and control a user's screen or device from another location. Technicians use it to resolve software issues quickly, while following consent and privacy procedures for student devices.

A Microsoft protocol that lets a user connect to and control a remote Windows computer's desktop. Technicians use it for server administration and must restrict it with firewalls and strong authentication.

A searchable collection of articles documenting procedures, fixes, and answers to common problems. A well-maintained knowledge base reduces repeat tickets and helps onboard new technicians.

A structured process for proposing, reviewing, approving, testing, and documenting changes to IT systems. It reduces outages by requiring backout plans and communication before district-wide updates are deployed.

A fraudulent message that impersonates a trusted sender to steal credentials or install malware. Districts train staff to recognize suspicious links and report messages, and technicians configure filters and analyze reported emails.

Software designed to damage, disrupt, or gain unauthorized access to systems, including viruses, ransomware, and spyware. Technicians remove it using endpoint protection, isolation from the network, and restoration from backups.

A copy of data stored separately so it can be restored after loss, corruption, or ransomware. Districts follow schedules and retention rules, and technicians test restores to confirm the copies are usable.

Documented procedures for restoring technology services after a major outage or emergency. It specifies roles, backup sources, communication channels, and recovery priorities so schools can resume instruction.

The practices and controls that protect networks and data from unauthorized access and attack, including firewalls, segmentation, patching, and monitoring. In schools it must be balanced with open access for instruction.

Structured training that helps staff build technology skills. Specialists design sessions, model classroom integration, and provide follow-up coaching so training changes practice rather than ending at the workshop.

Using technology purposefully within instruction to support learning goals rather than as an add-on. Specialists help teachers select tools matched to objectives and assess whether the technology improves outcomes.

A platform for delivering course content, assignments, discussions, and grades online. Districts administer LMS accounts and integrations, and specialists train teachers to organize materials and communicate with students.

The database of record for enrollment, schedules, attendance, grades, and demographics. Technicians manage accounts, data imports, and integrations between the SIS and other platforms such as the LMS.

A display surface connected to a computer that lets users write, annotate, and manipulate content by touch or pen. Specialists install drivers, calibrate the board, and train teachers to integrate it into lessons.

A device that displays a computer or video image on a screen or wall. Technicians mount and focus projectors, replace lamps or filters, and resolve cabling and resolution issues in classrooms.

A program that provides one computing device per student. It requires planning for device selection, funding, network capacity, repair workflows, insurance, and teacher training before deployment.

A federal program that provides discounts on telecommunications and internet access for schools and libraries. Applicants must document technology plans, filtering compliance, and competitive bidding to receive funding.

The maximum rate at which data can be transmitted over a network connection. Districts plan bandwidth per student and monitor usage so online testing and video streaming remain reliable.