eLearning Terms Glossary

Learning that takes place without face-to-face contact with an instructor. Distance learning commonly takes place entirely online and gives learners the flexibility to learn on their own time and at their own pace. It is especially beneficial when learners are located in different geographic locations and time zones.

Education that leverages technology for its delivery to end learners. Nowadays, eLearning is used synonymously with learning that occurs entirely on the web. It is typically used in reference to a course, training module, program or degree.

An assessment of a learning program’s value that occurs while the program activities are in development or during early implementation. It can be performed during any stage in the ADDIE process to determine how to best revise and improve the learning program. In contrast to summative evaluation, formative evaluation focuses on the process.

JITT is an acronym for Just-In-Time Training and refers to a type of training in which employees receive critical information when and where they need it. As opposed to completing a full training course, JITT training resources are brief, convenient and highly targeted to specific employee needs. These resources are easily accessible, applicable and available at the moment of need.

A source of information used to help employees successfully perform tasks in the workplace. Job aids may be physical objects or digital assets produced with the intention of supporting people in their roles.

A global standard for evaluating training effectiveness. It considers training across four levels:

• Reaction: The extent to which learners find the training engaging and relevant to their roles.
• Learning: The extent to which learners glean the intended knowledge, attitude, skills, commitment and confidence from their training participation.
• Behavior: The extent to which learners apply what they learned in the training to their jobs.
• Results: The extent to which the intended outcomes were achieved as a result of the training.

Web analytics used to profile a learner and their interactions in an online program. It may encompass raw and analyzed data and is presented as individual data points, data tables, graphs, charts, etc. When delivered through eLearning software, learning analytics may be displayed in a designated dashboard and/or downloadable reports. Examples of learning analytics include course completion rates and quiz scores.

A strategy used by organizations to develop their workforce’s skills and knowledge. Learning and Development teams are typically tasked with assessing the company’s needs and creating learning programs and resources to address those needs.

Software used to author, manage and deliver learning content (typically via the web). While the LCMS’s authoring and managing content component is chiefly what differentiates it from a learning management system (LMS), many modern LMSs also offer these functionalities.

Any course, program, interaction or activity in which learning takes place. In eLearning, the learning experience typically refers to the interface wherein learners engage with the course content. The average learning management system (LMS) offers a learning experience (the interface utilized by the end user) in addition to an admin dashboard (used to create and manage the learning program).

Traditionally, a learning management system was software used specifically for course administration, classroom management, learner enrollments and minimal learning analytics. However, many modern LMSs also offer content authoring and management functionalities that were once found only in learning content management systems (LCMSs). Learn more about LMSs here.

Brief statements (typically one sentence) used to communicate what learners can expect to learn from a course. Learning objectives are meant to be actionable; they tell learners what actions they will be able to perform upon successful completion of a course.

Also known as a “learning path,” a learning pathway is a route made up of multiple courses or lessons. The courses in a learning pathway are frequently based on a specific theme, skill or competency that learners are expected to master upon completion. Learning pathways are set up by a learning program administrator. While there is usually one route through the pathway, some offer route “branches” that enable learners to choose the path that is most relevant to them.

The understanding that each individual learns differently. A person’s “learning style” refers to their preferred way of consuming, processing, comprehending and retaining information. Learning styles are commonly grouped into seven categories:

• Visual/spatial: Learning through pictures and images.
• Aural/musical: Learning through sound and music.
• Verbal/linguistic: Learning through words in speech and writing.
• Physical/kinesthetic: Learning through the use of hands, body and sense of touch.
• Logical/mathematical: Learning through logic and reasoning.
• Social/interpersonal: Learning through working with others.
• Solitary/intrapersonal: Learning through working alone.

All learning activities that take place throughout one’s life. The goal of lifelong learning is to continually seek to improve your skills and knowledge in your personal, civic, social or work life. Lifelong learning is similar to self-directed learning, as those who engage in this type of learning share many characteristics—characteristics such as high self-confidence, active curiosity, self-discipline, comfort with autonomy, undying persistence and a strong desire to learn.

A person who works for a company or as a contracted consultant to provide training on how to use and navigate a learning management system (LMS), offer technical support and customer service to all LMS users, troubleshoot problems when needed, teach other team members to administer the LMS and consult with trainers on ways to assign and deliver training through the LMS.

An LMS integration enables organizations to connect systems together and allows data to flow between an LMS and other systems. LMS integrations can be used to embed content in other systems, permit learners to log in using credentials from other systems or receive LMS notifications in other systems. An example of an LMS integration would be an integration with Salesforce, wherein learner progress data can be viewed from a company’s Salesforce account.

The translation and adaptation of learning elements (e.g., video captions, documents, text etc.) to specific languages based on locale.

Training focused on developing an employee’s skills and techniques related to creating sales opportunities and closing deals for a company. The goal of sales training is to prepare a salesperson to effectively influence prospects’ buying decisions.

SCORM is an acronym for Sharable Content Object Reference Model. The Sharable Content Object part of the term refers to the units of online learning material the learning management system (LMS) intends to impart to learners. In essence, the “SCOs” are the building blocks of digital instruction.

Simply put, SCORM is a standard that ensures instructional content will link with and appear correctly within the LMS if both the instructional content and the LMS are SCORM compliant. Therefore, if an LMS provider labels its product as SCORM compliant, users are assured that the selected LMS will integrate with the SCORM-compliant content creation platform used to develop the courses.

This is an abridged version of the SCORM definition. For a comprehensive look at SCORM, see the full definition.

A process in which individuals work autonomously to identify their learning needs, develop learning goals, find appropriate resources, implement learning strategies and evaluate their learning.

SME is an acronym for Subject Matter Expert. An SME is a person who is an authority on a particular topic. In eLearning, SMEs provide input to help create online courses that learners will find helpful. In the business sector, anyone in an organization could serve as an SME on topics specific to their role. For example, an instructional designer may interview a director of sales to develop sales training content for an online course.

A cognitive process that occurs through social interactions with the goal of making sense of new information and ideas. It is based on the ideas of Social Learning Theory, which emphasizes the significance of adopting new behaviors through observing and imitating others. In eLearning, social learning can occur in discussion forums, chats, live virtual sessions or even on social media.

The process of illustrating an eLearning or training course through text and mockups. Storyboards typically include screens that outline placeholders for learning elements that are to be developed. They are helpful in visually communicating ideas and concepts, as well as helping teams get organized and aligned on the development plans for their eLearning or training programs.

Proposed as a more agile approach to eLearning development than the widely known ADDIE process, SAM focuses on an iterative method. This method offers benefits such as greater visibility to the project team and a faster time to launch. Using a cyclical process, SAM encompasses two models:

• SAM1: The more basic process that is ideal for smaller teams or projects. It includes three iterations using the common instructional design steps of Analyze, Design and Development.
• SAM2: For more complex projects, this process includes eight iterative steps that are spread across three phases: Preparation, Iterative Design and Iterative Development.

An assessment of the value of a learning program at the end of the development and operating cycle. Summative evaluation typically comes at the end of the ADDIE process. Data is collected, and findings are used to determine whether a program should be adopted, continued or improved. In contrast to formative evaluation, summative evaluation focuses on the outcomes of a learning program.

Learning that takes place at the same time for a group of learners. It may entail chatting or video conferencing to enable learners and / or instructors to interact, ask questions and collaborate in real time.

A software suite that offers a solution for recruitment, performance management, compensation management and learning and development. It is commonly used by human resources (HR) professionals to hire and retain talent.

Company activities targeted at improving employees’ job performance. Training and development takes a production-centered and focuses on developing employees’ technical skills, whereas learning and development also takes a person-centered and problem-solving approach to human resource development (HRD).

Software used to organize and deliver training content and manage schedules and records. While a learning management system (LMS) focuses mostly on eLearning management, a training management system focuses chiefly on instructor-led training (ILT).

The process of evaluating training to identify gaps between employee needs and the training offered. A training needs analysis is typically the first step in the training process. It allows trainers to pinpoint problems and determine how the training will successfully solve those problems.

Also known as training and development specialists, training specialists help plan, develop and deliver training programs. These professionals assess an organization’s needs and produce programs that seek to improve employees’ skills and knowledge.

VLE is an acronym for Virtual Learning Environment and is a web-based interface through which learning materials are delivered to end users. Also, see Learning Experience.