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Singapore, 7 May 2003
However they are not any more complicated or difficult to understand than the many IT and internet terms that we have already grown so accustomed to. All you need is just a little guide to help clear the confusion and you will soon realize that e-learning is hardly rocket science. We have compiled a list of terms and acronyms that you are likely to encounter as you pursue your education through e-learning. Some of them may sound quite familiar since e-learning is part of the larger internet universe. Some would be quite exclusive to the realm of e-learning. So here they are, in alphabetical order :
Asynchronous learning: Learning in which interaction between instructors and students occurs intermittently with a time delay. Examples are self-paced courses taken via the Internet or CD-ROM, Q&A mentoring, online discussion groups, and email. Audio bridge: A device used in audio-conferencing that connects multiple telephone lines. Audiographics: Computer-based technology that enables simultaneous transmission of voice, data, and graphic images across local telephone lines for instructor-learner interaction. Blended learning: Learning events that combine aspects of online and face-to-face instruction. Business requirements: The conditions an e-learning solution should meet to align with the needs of such stakeholders as the content developer, subject matter expert, learner, manager, and training administrator. CBT (computer-based training): An umbrella term for the use of computers in both instruction and management of the teaching and learning process. CAI (computer-assisted instruction) and CMI (computer-managed instruction) are included under the heading of CBT. Some people use the terms CBT and CAI interchangeably. Chat: Real-time text-based communication in a virtual environment. Chat can be used in e-learning for student questions, instructor feedback, or even group discussion. CMS (content management system): A centralized software application or set of applications that facilitates and streamlines the process of designing, testing, approving, and posting e-learning content, usually on Webpages. CoD (Content on demand): Delivery of an offering, packaged in a media format, anywhere, anytime via a network. Variants include audio on demand (AoD) and video on demand (VoD). Compliant (standards-compliant): E-learning that meets established standards of, and has received official approval from, an accrediting organization. Content: The intellectual property and knowledge to be imparted. Different formats for e-learning content include text, audio, video, animation, and simulation. Courseware: Any type of instructional or educational course delivered via a software program or over the Internet. Discussion boards: Forums on the Internet or an intranet where users can post messages for others to read. End-to-end solution: A marketing term used by large e-learning suppliers; meant to imply that their products and services will handle all aspects of e-learning. Enterprise-wide e-learning: E-learning that's intended for all or most employees within a company. It's often part of a strategic change of direction with a very short timeline, but is also used to support a core process such as sales. Extensibility: The ability to expand and adapt an e-learning application or infrastructure by adding features, components, or services to a core set of capabilities. Facilitative tools: Electronic features used to deliver online courses. Examples include mailing lists, chat programs, streaming audio, streaming video, and Webpages. Facilitator: The online course instructor who aids learning in the online, student-centered environment. False-starter: A person who registers for but does not complete an e-learning course. FAQ (frequently asked questions): An informational list, in question and answer format, of common inquiries from users about a topic or application and standard responses. FAQs appear on Websites and discussion boards and within desktop applications. Hypermedia: Applications or documents that contain dynamic links to other media, such as audio, video, or graphics files. ILS (integrated learning system): A complete software, hardware, and network system used for instruction. In addition to providing curriculum and lessons organized by level, an ILS usually includes a number of tools such as assessments, record keeping, report writing, and user information files that help to identify learning needs, monitor progress, and maintain student records. ILT (instructor-led training): Usually refers to traditional classroom training, in which an instructor teaches a course to a room of learners. The term is used synonymously with on-site training and classroom training (c-learning). Instant messenger (IM): Software that lists users' selected "buddies" (friends, family, co-workers, and so forth) who are online and enables users to send short text messages back and forth to them. Some instant messenger programs also include voice chat, file transfer, and other applications. Instructional designer (ID): An individual who applies a systematic methodology based on instructional theory to create content for learning. Java: An object-oriented programming language developed by Sun Microsystems. Java isn't dependent on specific hardware and can be launched from within an HTML document or stand- alone. Java applet: A small Java program launched through a browser. Just-in-time: Characteristic of e-learning in which learners are able to access the information they need exactly when they need it. Learning portal: A Website that offers learners or organizations consolidated access to learning and training resources from multiple sources. Example - Purple Train. Operators of learning portals are also called content aggregators, distributors, or hosts. LMS (learning management system): Software that automates the administration of training. The LMS registers users, tracks courses in a catalog, records data from learners; and provides reports to management. An LMS is typically designed to handle courses by multiple publishers and providers. It usually doesn't include its own authoring capabilities; instead, it focuses on managing courses created by a variety of other sources. Lurking: Reading the postings in a discussion forum or on a listserv but not contributing to the discussion. M-learning (mobile learning): Learning that takes place via such wireless devices as cell phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), or laptop computers. Modular: E-learning that's made up of standardised units that can be separated from each other and rearranged or reused. Multicasting: The transmission of information to more than one recipient. For example, sending an email message to a list of people. Teleconferencing and videoconferencing can also use multicasting. Nesting: Placing documents within other documents. Allows a user to access material in a non-linear fashion, the primary requirement for developing hypertext. Netiquette: Online manners. The rules of conduct for online or Internet users. Page turner: A derogatory term for e-learning that offers little to no graphics or interaction, instead comprising mainly pages of text. PDF (portable document format): File format developed by Adobe Systems to enable users of any hardware or software platform to view documents exactly as they were created--with fonts, images, links, and layouts as they were originally designed. Power users: Advanced, sophisticated users of technology (usually a computer application or an operating system) who know more than just the basics needed to operate it. Practice item: 1) A question or learning activity that serves as an informal validation and reinforcement of instruction. 2) A sample question that precedes a test, designed to ensure that the learner understands the mechanics of the testing system. Prescriptive learning: A process in which only coursework that matches a learner's identified skill and knowledge gaps is offered to him or her, with the goal of making the learning experience more meaningful, efficient, and cost-effective. Pull technology: In reference to the Internet or other online services, the technology whereby people use software such as a Web browser to locate and "pull down" information for themselves. Push technology: In reference to the Internet or other online services, the technology whereby information is sent directly to a user's computer. See also pull technology Repurpose: To reuse content by revising or restructuring it for a different purpose than it was originally intended or in a different way. Reusable: E-learning content that can be transferred to various infrastructures or delivery mechanisms, usually without changes. RIO (reusable information object): A collection of content, practice, and assessment items assembled around a single learning objective. RIOs are built from templates based on whether the goal is to communicate a concept, fact, process, principle, or procedure. (Pronounced "REE-O") Seamless technology: Technology that's easy to use, intuitive in nature, and isn't the focus of the learning experience. Also called transparent technology. Self-assessment: The process by which the learner determines his or her personal level of knowledge and skills. Self-paced learning: An offering in which the learner determines the pace and timing of content delivery. Simulations: Highly interactive applications that allow the learner to model or role-play in a scenario. Simulations enable the learner to practice skills or behaviours in a risk-free environment. Skill gap analysis: Compares a person's skills to the skills required for the job to which they have been, or will be, assigned. A simple skill gap analysis consists of a list of skills required along with a rating of the employee's level for each skill. Ratings below a predetermined level identify a skill gap. Skills inventory: A list of skills or competencies that an individual possesses usually created by self-evaluation. SME (subject matter expert): An individual who is recognised as having proficient knowledge about and skills in a particular topic or subject area. Soft skills: Business skills such as communication and presentation, leadership and management, human resources, sales and marketing, professional development, project and time management, customer service, team building, administration, accounting and finance, purchasing, and personal development. Synchronous learning: A real-time, instructor-led online learning event in which all participants are logged on at the same time and communicate directly with each other. In this virtual classroom setting, the instructor maintains control of the class, with the ability to "call on" participants. In most platforms, students and teachers can use a whiteboard to see work in progress and share knowledge. Interaction may also occur via audio- or videoconferencing, Internet telephony, or two-way live broadcasts. Synergy: The dynamic energetic atmosphere created in an online class when participants interact and productively communicate with each other. Thread: A series of messages on a particular topic posted in a discussion forum. Tutorial: Step-by-step instructions presented through computer or Web-based technology, designed to teach a user how to complete a particular action. 24/7: Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. In e-learning, used to describe the hours of operation of a virtual classroom or how often technical support should be available for online students and instructors. Value-added services: In the context of the e-learning industry, value-added services include custom training needs assessment and skill-gap analysis, curriculum design and development, pre- and post-training mentoring and support, training effectiveness analysis, reporting and tracking tools, advisor services and implementation consulting, hosting and management of Internet- or intranet-based learning systems, integration of enterprise training delivery systems, and other services. Virtual: Not concrete or physical. For instance, a completely virtual university does not have actual buildings but instead holds classes over the Internet. Virtual classroom: The online learning space where students and instructors interact. WBT (Web-based training): Delivery of educational content via a Web browser over the public Internet, a private intranet, or an extranet. Web-based training often provides links to other learning resources such as references, email, bulletin boards, and discussion groups. WBT also may include a facilitator who can provide course guidelines, manage discussion boards, deliver lectures, and so forth. When used with a facilitator, WBT offers some advantages of instructor-led training while also retaining the advantages of computer-based training. Web conference: (noun) A meeting of participants from disparate geographic locations that's held in a virtual environment on the World Wide Web, with communication taking place via text, audio, video, or a combination of those methods. (verb) To participate in a Web conference. Webinar: (Web + seminar) A small synchronous online learning event in which a presenter and audience members communicate via text chat or audio about concepts often illustrated via online slides and/or an electronic whiteboard. Webinars are often archived as well for asynchronous, on-demand access. Wizard: A mini-application that prompts a user through the steps of a particular computer-based action. The user provides necessary information as he or she proceeds through the wizard's screens, while the wizard completes the actual steps behind the scenes. ABOUT PURPLETRAIN.COM By combining innovative technology with world-class training content, PurpleTrain.com offers companies and individuals a high value, quality and effective on-line training solution. Over 700 on-line courses are available, offering masters, degrees, diplomas and certificates in business and IT programs. Our online learning community now stands at over 67,000 users. PurpleTrain.com is a 100%-owned venture of Informatics Holdings Limited, a leading training and education provider listed on the Singapore Stock Exchange. Informatics Holdings Limited is a world class institute for quality lifelong learning services and made the ranking among Forbes Global's 200 Best Small Companies in the world. ABOUT INFORMATICS GROUP The Informatics Group, established in 1983, is a multinational corporation providing training and educational services in information technology and business management. Through its international franchising programme and strategic acquisitions, Informatics presently has a global network of more than 550 centres spanning over 45 countries. The company presently offers six franchise products: Informatics Computer School, Thames Business School, Informatics Professional Development Centre, CAL Computer Training Centre, Cambridge Child Development Centre and RACC. For more information, please visit http://www.informaticsgroup.com. For more information, please contact : Boey Taik Boon All trademarks and registered trademarks are property of
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are forward-looking in nature and, accordingly, are subject to risks and
uncertainties. The actual results may differ from those described or contemplated. |
If
you are a new student to e-learning or someone contemplating taking up
a course through e-learning, you are likely to have come across a slew
of new terms and acronyms that you have never heard of before. All these
odd sounding names and combinations of alphabets might sound a little
intimidating to the uninitiated.