Have you been considering online learning as a means of training or education for your workplace or classroom? Or are you wondering about a possible career in eLearning design and development, but not sure what all the terms mean?
When you are new to a field, it is important to understand the correct terms so that you can understand what others are saying and so that you can communicate about it effectively. This article provides an introduction and glossary of terms associated with online learning. After making this list, even I was surprised at how many terms there were!
AUDIO CONFERENCE: Audio conferencing refers to a connection between three or more locations that involves a voice-only connection. This can be done over the phone or by computer. When audio conferencing takes place between computers over the Internet, a technology known as VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) is used.
ASYNCHRONOUS LEARNING: When learners participate in an online learning course at different times, it is known as asynchronous learning. This could also be called eLearning or web-based training (WBT). Asynchronous learning allows students to take a course at their own pace and on their own schedule.
BLENDED LEARNING: Blended learning is an educational approach that includes a mix of online and in-person learning activities. For example, students can complete online assignments at their own pace by a certain date, and then meet on-site or online for additional learning activities.
COMPUTER TRAINING (TCC): CBT refers to any type of course that runs on a computer, whether on a CD, on a person’s hard drive, or on the Internet. The distinguishing point is that computer-based training does not involve a physically present instructor or facilitator. Now that most computer-based training occurs over the Internet, the term is used infrequently. The most common terms are online learning, e-learning and Web-Based Training (WBT).
COURSES: Courseware refers to any instructional software that is delivered on a computer.
LONG DISTANCE EDUCATION gold DISTANCE EDUCATION: Distance education/learning occurs when students and their instructors are in different geographic locations and instruction occurs on an electronic device, such as a computer or mobile phone. Learning can occur in a synchronous environment, where all participants are connected at the same time, or in an asynchronous environment, where participants are learning at different times.
E-LEARNING: eLearning (short for e-learning) is a general term that refers to all types of training, education, and instruction that occur in a digital medium, such as a computer or mobile phone.
HYBRID LEARNING: See blended learning.
INFORMAL LEARNING: Informal learning occurs when people have a need to know something. They set their own learning goals and acquire knowledge, skills and information in their own way. This could be asking questions, observing the experts, practicing and talking. It is the kind of natural learning that humans do outside of a structured environment.
INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN: Instructional design involves identifying gaps in knowledge, information, and skills for a particular group of people and creating or selecting learning experiences that bridge this gap. Instructional designers base their learning decisions on cognitive psychology, instructional theory, and best practices.
INSTRUCTOR LED TRAINING (ILT): ILT generally refers to providing instruction in a classroom setting where the instructor and students are together at the same time and in the same physical location.
INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGNER: An instructional designer practices the craft and science of instructional design. This person identifies the needs of a target audience and determines the best approaches to meet the audience’s needs. It could involve designing and writing e-learning courses, as well as writing the manuals needed for instructor-led training. Some instructional designers also create graphics and use authoring systems to produce online courses.
INTERACTIVE MULTIMEDIA: Interactive multimedia allows students to provide information for an online course and receive feedback as a result of the information. Input can consist of mouse click or drag, gestures, voice commands, touching an input screen, text input, and live interactions with connected participants.
MOBILE LEARNING: Learning that takes place on a portable device, such as a mobile phone, that can take place anytime, anywhere.
MULTIMEDIA: Multimedia refers to the presentation of information and instruction through a combination of graphics, audio, text, or video. Multimedia instruction is often interactive.
LEARN ONLINE: The term online learning is often used synonymously with eLearning. It is a generic term that includes any type of learning carried out on a computer and, usually, through the Internet.
LEARNING AT YOUR OWN PACE: Self-paced learning refers to the type of instruction that allows a person to control the flow of learning material. It implies that the learning environment is asynchronous.
LEARNING ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Social media learning refers to the acquisition of information and skills through social technologies that enable people to collaborate, converse, provide information, create content, and share it. Examples of social networking learning can occur through online social networking platforms, blogs and microblogs (such as Twitter), online radio shows, and wikis.
STREAMING MEDIA: Streaming media refers to video and audio that is downloaded to a computer from the Internet as a continuous stream of data and played as it reaches the destination computer.
SYNCHRONOUS LEARNING: When learners participate in an online learning course at the same time but in different locations, it is known as synchronous learning. Synchronous learning allows students to interact with the instructor and other participants. This is done through software that creates a virtual classroom.
VIDEO CONFERENCE: Video conferencing refers to the use of video technology (both hardware and software) to create a virtual meeting between two or more people in different physical locations. Participants can see and hear each other through this technology.
VIRTUAL CLASSROOM: Virtual classroom refers to a digital classroom learning environment that takes place over the Internet rather than in a physical classroom. It is implemented through software that allows an instructor and students to interact.
WEBINAR: A webinar is a seminar or workshop in which the facilitator and the participants view the same screen at the same time. The webinar typically has an audio component that the facilitator controls, and functionality that allows participants to chat by entering text, answering polls, raising their hands, and asking questions.
WEB BASED TRAINING (WBT): WBT refers to all types of digital instruction in which the learning material is presented via the Internet.
