eLearning glossary.
The words you’ll hear most in instructional design and digital learning, in plain English.
- Adult Learners
- Learners above school age.
- Asynchronous Learning
- Learning that does not take place at the same time and place for all learning (such as eLearns and pre-recorded webinars).
- Authoring Tool
- Software that enables users to create learning content (lessons, courses, media, tools and interactions).
- Blended Learning
- Learning delivered as a blend of some/all of the following modes: in-person, virtual, live, on-demand and self-paced.
- Digital Learning
- Learning through the use of digital tools.
- HTML5
- Hypertext Markup Language revision 5 (HTML5). The markup language for the presentation and the structure of World Wide Web content.
- In-person Learning
- Learning delivered face-to-face, live, where learners and instructors are in the same room.
- Instructor-centred Design
- A learning design approach which builds learning against the idea that all learners are unfamiliar with the learning content, as such, the instructor must impart all learning knowledge.
- Learner-centred Design
- A learning design approach which puts learners at the centre of their own learning. Allows learners to bring their own ideas, experiences and knowledge to the learning.
- Learning Objectives
- Specific topics and activities that will support the achievement of the learning outcome/s.
- Learning Outcomes
- Specific and measurable knowledge, skills, and behaviours the learner will gain after completing the learning.
- Learning Strategy
- Overarching direction detailing the learning outcomes and objectives and how these will be addressed through learning mode, topics, duration and target audience.
- Live Learning
- Learning which is available at a specified time (compared to on-demand learning which is available at anytime).
- LMS
- Learning Management System. Software that provides a framework for housing, tracking and delivering learning content.
- Mockup
- A prototype showing what the end product will look like.
- Module
- A component of a learning program or course.
- Neuro-diversity
- We all have different abilities: the way we think is shaped by how our brains are wired and by the life experiences that have shaped us. Neurodiversity refers to these neurological differences, which can include dyspraxia, dyslexia, ADHD, dyscalculia, autism and Tourette syndrome.
- Neuro-science
- Sciences which explore the nervous system and the brain (such as psychology and neurochemistry).
- On-demand Learning
- Learning which is available at anytime the learner wishes to access it (compared to live-learning which is only available at specific times).
- Online Learning
- Learning in a virtual setting.
- Online workshop
- An interactive learning session delivered virtually (usually through videoconferencing software such as Zoom, MS Teams etc.).
- Post-work
- Learning actions and application for the learner to complete after attending/completing a learning workshop or module.
- Pre-work
- Learning actions for the learner to complete prior to attending or commencing a learning workshop or module.
- SCORM
- Shareable Content Object Reference Model. The technical standards for eLearning products. SCORM informs learning designers how to write code, to allow integration with other software.
- Self-paced learning
- Learning that can be completed by the learner at their own pace.
- Storyboard
- A design document used to outline and phase out learning content, visuals, interactions, media and navigation for eLearning modules.
- Synchronous Learning
- Learning which takes place at the same time for all learners.
- Webinar
- An informational seminar delivered virtually (usually through videoconferencing software such as Zoom or MS Teams).
- Workshop
- An instructor-led learning session.
- xAPI
- Experience API (xAPI). Learning technology that collects data about an individual’s experiences. This technology learns from interactions with other people and with content.