“We need an LMS that is SCORM compliant, meets WCAG accessibility requirements, is responsive, and can track all learning interventions. We are working with an amazing LD on a suite of microlearning modules, which we will complement with some ILT across multiple sites.”
For most learning professionals, the statement above will be a pretty easy read. But it’s likely to cause the rest of you physical pain. Sure, someone actually speaking like that would be rare but like a lot of specialisations, the L&D crowd can have a bit of a jargon problem. Particularly when it comes to eLearning related conversations.
I hate to admit it, but I've been that guy. In my defence, it was some time ago and it wasn't that I was trying to confuse anyone, but my career had taken me from being part of a team of Learning Consultants and Facilitators who spoke my language, to a corporate management position where I would have been better off speaking Klingon. This is the reality for most learning professionals; we are either working alone or in a very small team. However, a lot of our results are driven by how successfully we can sell our initiatives internally — that means preaching to the often-not-so-converted, and in plain English.
That's enough context. Here's my simple, non-comprehensive, eLearning development terminology cheat-sheet, with some of the common terms and the simplest definitions I could muster:
Learning Management System (LMS): For most people in a corporate setting, it's the platform where you access learning materials. You know that website you open when you need to do an internal eLearning module? It’s your LMS. It enables delivery, management, and sometimes authoring of eLearning courses.
SCORM: The format most eLearning modules are exported to before they are uploaded to an LMS (usually as a zip file). SCORM stands for Sharable Content Object Reference Model, and it's essentially a set of technical standards that dictate how eLearning content should be packaged and delivered. This ensures that eLearning content can be easily shared and used across different platforms and LMSs.
Learning/Instructional Designer (LD/ID): Learning Designers plan, structure and create learning content which enable learners to achieve the desired outcomes. They are also known as Instructional Designers and Learning Experience Designers. Note that these titles are used by a very broad range of providers with different levels of experience and offering different services.
Learning design: The stuff the LD is doing. In the context of an eLearning project, this will usually refer to the process of planning and structuring the module, creating content and activities, and determining the look and feel of the module. This term can include the visual design components, and it can also include development (see below).
Development: Pretty straightforward, the actual creation of learning materials, as opposed to the design. For eLearning, this usually means the module itself. Some providers completely separate design from development, others will iteratively work on both. As mentioned above, the term learning design often includes the development phase.
Authoring tool: The software application that enables the creation of eLearning content. It allows learning designers to design and develop interactive and engaging courses, often without requiring coding skills (but they help). Common examples include Articulate Storyline, Articulate Rise, Lectora, and Evolve.
Completion: What the learners need to do in order for the module to be completed. This sounds simple but its not only important from a learning design perspective, it's also critical to the type of data you're collecting.
Accessibility: How easily people with disabilities can access and engage with the eLearning materials. Many people don’t realise that there are still serious limitations around producing truly accessible eLearning content, particularly in some authoring tools, and you must design the materials with accessibility in mind.
Responsive design: Design which can display on a variety of devices and screen sizes. This is a critical consideration for any organisation undertaking eLearning development right now. Responsive design is no longer a nice to have, learners expect to be able to access materials across devices as needed.
Microlearning: Microlearning is a learning design approach which structures content into small chunks, usually taking a learner less than 5 minutes. When done well, this allows learners to absorb information in short sessions, and even when they're on-the-go.
Gamification: A very broad term, which can mean the use of any game-like elements within an eLearning module. This could range from a skill based game within the module, to badges or points being awarded at completion of a module and tracked in the LMS.
Blended learning: Blended learning combines traditional classroom instruction with online learning. This approach offers the flexibility of completing some aspects of the course online while still having the opportunity for in-person instruction.
Instructor-led training (ILT): Also known as face-to-face training. Any real-time classroom sessions with a facilitator, including those using online meeting software.
Synchronous/asynchronous: Whether or not learners need to be engaging with content at the same time as other learners and interacting in real-time. Examples of synchronous learning include group training activities, Zoom calls, and chat rooms. Asynchronous learning includes readings, videos, and self-marking online modules.
I have tried to keep this as simple as possible, and really focused on eLearning development terms. Not going to lie, it's tough. ELearning projects have a lot of variations depending on the client, learners, content area, and the technology being used.
What do you think? Do you have any other eLearning jargon you would add to this?
Feel free to reach out to me with any questions, or to discuss your learning project. Details are below.