E-Learning Glossary

AICC

Aviation Industry CBT Committee. AICC is a standard for the passing of student progress data between e-learning content and learning management systems.

ASP

An ASP (Application Service Provider) is a vendor supplying systems on an externally hosted basis, i.e. running from the vendor’s hardware, not the client’s. Authoring systems, learning management systems and virtual classrooms are examples of systems that can be hosted externally rather than ‘inside the firewall’ (on a client’s own network).

Asynchronous communication

Communication where there is a delay between message and response. Examples of asynchronous communication include the post or, in e-learning terms, email or discussion forums/bulletin boards.

Authoring system

A software tool designed to facilitate the design, editing and assembly of e-learning course materials.

Bandwidth

Bandwidth is the data transmission capacity of a network, usually expressed in kilobits per second (Kbps) or megabits per second (Mbps). At one extreme, a low-end modem might have a bandwidth as low as 14.4 Kbps, whereas the Internet backbone (the network of major Internet connections) will operate at a minimum of 45 Mbps. A typical corporate network has a bandwidth of 10 or in some cases 100 Mbps.

Data transfer speeds increase with bandwidth. With a sufficiently high bandwidth it becomes feasible to transmit high quality audio and video on the Internet or an intranet.

Blended solution

A solution that mixes e-learning with other learning media and methods.

Chat room

A facility whereby messages can be exchanged between participants in real-time. Most chat is in the form of text, although the technology can be extended to support audio and video.

DHTML

Dynamic HTML brings together the latest versions of HTML and JavaScript, to allow greater control over how a web page is presented, using features such as absolute positioning and layers. Dynamic HTML also makes it possible for web pages to be updated dynamically in response to user input. Dynamic HTML is only possible from version 4 of the browsers from Microsoft and Netscape.

Discussion forum

A shared messaging facility in which users respond asynchronously to discussion topics posted by tutors or other learners. The messages are stored so users can read all the messages submitted since the original posting and contribute their own responses. Discussion forums are provided within LMSs or VLEs, but can also be found on web sites or within systems such as Lotus Notes and Outlook.

E-learning

E-learning utilises computers and computer networks as an additional and complementary channel of communication; connecting learners with learning media, other people (fellow learners, sources, facilitators), data (about learning, about media, about people) and processing power.

Electronic whiteboard

A window in which text and graphics can be placed and viewed by all participants simultaneously. Can focus the attention of an online group rather like a flip chart or whiteboard in the classroom.

FAQ

FAQ stands for frequently-asked questions. An FAQ page contains responses to queries most commonly asked by users.

Flash

Flash is a graphics software package from Macromedia, which can be used to add animation and interactivity to websites, without placing heavy demands on bandwidth. To view Flash in their browsers, users must have the correct version of the Flash plug-in installed on their PCs.

Hosted solution

See ASP.

HTML

HTML stands for Hypertext Mark-up Language, a world-wide standard for describing and formatting web pages.

IMS

IMS is a standard for the labelling of e-learning with descriptive data (metadata).

Instant messaging

A facility which allows users to exchange text, audio or video messages in real-time. Instant messaging is usually one-to-one, but can involve larger groups, at which stage it resembles a chat room. Instant messaging systems, such as Windows Messenger and AOL Messenger, let the user know when any of their regular contacts is online and available to be contacted. That way, a quicker response can be obtained than with email.

Java

Java is a programming language, created by Sun Microsystems. Small Java programs ('applets') can be downloaded from a web server to add functionality to a web page that would not be possible with HTML, such as the creation of a graph from user-supplied data.

JavaScript

Despite its name, JavaScript is not really anything to do with Java. Both are programming languages that can be used to augment HTML, but whereas Java programs are loaded as separate files, JavaScript is inserted directly into a page's HTML code.

Just-in-time

Learning materials that are available for use by the learner at the time when the need occurs.

LCMS

A learning content management system. An enterprise software solution for the creation of both formal and informal digital learning content and the delivery of that content on an individualised basis. Now often included within the functionality of an LMS (see below).

LMS

A learning management system. A system for managing access to learning materials, facilitating communication between learners and tutors, monitoring learner progress and reporting on usage.

Learning objects

Learning objects are small units of learning, ranging from 2 to 15 minutes. They are typically self-contained, re-usable, capable of being aggregated, tagged with descriptive metadata (which allows them to be classified by search engines) and capable of communicating with a management system.

M-learning

Mobile learning. E-learning using mobile devices such as palmtops and cell phones.

Performance support

Electronic performance support systems provide information and learning materials at the desktop for use on a just-in-time, just-enough basis.

Plug-ins

Plug-ins are special add-on programs that extend the functionality of the browser. Plug-ins were created by Netscape for its Navigator browser, but Microsoft has its own equivalent, Active X Controls. Plug-ins are available to perform such functions as the delivery of audio and video, the creation of 3D virtual environments or the delivery of programs originally created for other applications, such as Macromedia Director and Authorware, and Asymetrix Toolbook. Plug-ins are usually downloaded over the web. This is a one-off job as, once installed, plug-ins are available to any future web page that requires them.

SCORM

Sharable Courseware Object Reference Model. An initiative of the US Department of Defense, Advanced Distributed Learning (ADL) programme, but now broadly agreed across much of the e-learning industry as an umbrella for the various technical standards needed to ensure interoperability between e-learning content and platforms (LMSs, LCMSs).

Streaming media

Streaming is a technology for delivering audio and video in real-time on web sites. Rather than the user having to wait for large audio and video files to download before they can be played back, streaming allows playback to commence almost immediately. Streaming media solutions are provided by Microsoft, Real Systems and Apple.

Synchronous communication

Communication that occurs in real-time. Examples of synchronous communication include face-to-face discussion, the telephone or in e-learning terms, text chat, audio and video-conferencing and electronic whiteboards.

Virtual classroom

Software that integrates many real-time e-learning delivery functions, such as text chat, audio conferencing, electronic whiteboards and application sharing. Virtual classrooms are provided by vendors such as Centra, Interwise, Webex and LearnLinc.

VLE

A virtual learning environment. A system for delivering online courses, particularly those that provide tutor support and allow for collaboration between learners. Main users are educational institutions and training providers. A VLE is likely to include facilities for accessing materials, asynchronous discussion, text-based chat and the marking of assignments.

Webcam

A small and inexpensive digital video camera that connects to a PC, to allow live video transmission over the Internet.