eLearing Glossary

Term

Brief Definition (paraphrased or restated NOT

copy/pasted)

URL of source site (where did

you find this definition?)

Adaptive Learning

computer-based or online educational system

allowing for the modification of educational

materials so that all students no matter their

ability can engage and interact with the

http://www.dreambox.com/ada

ptive-learning

Big Data

this is generated through different systems that

track different things that we are doing at any

given time on the internet. It allows you to

extract meaningful data to create better

http://www.ibm.com/big-

data/us/en/

Competency Based

Learning

This model moves away from the traditional

education model where students are taught

what the curriculum states, rather than tailoring

it to what each individual student needs to be

learning. Competency Based Learning allows

students to master skills at their own pace

http://www.ed.gov/oii-

news/competency-based-

learning-or-personalized-learning

Computer Based

Training

This type of training relies solely on using either

peronal or networked computers that allow you

to access training programs.

https://www.trainingindustry.co

m/taxonomy/c/computer-based-

training-(cbt).aspx

Connectivism

the idea that there should be a connection

between work experience, learning, and

knowledge, and that there should not be

separation between these areas. We learn

through social and cultural contexts, and should

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Co

nnectivism

Content Curation

this is the act of sorting through lots of different

resources that can be found on the web and

tailoring it to being the most meaningful and

informative information for whatever type of

subject you are learning about. It doesn’t

include creating new content, but simply

harnessing content that is already circulating the

web and figuring out how best to categorize it

for your easy use.

http://blog.hootsuite.com/begin

ners-guide-to-content-curation/

Digital or Virtual

Badges

tokens used to demonstrate that students have

completed some type of task, or mastered a skill

associated with the learning that they are doing

in a course. Just as a physical badge signals

achievement, so do virtual badges.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Di

gital_badge

DIY U

the idea that the future lies in personal learning

networks and that students are ultimately going

to have to create their own education to meet

their educational needs.

http://www.amazon.com/DIY-

Edupunks-Edupreneurs-

Transformation-

Education/dp/1603582347

Flipped Classroom

the employment of technology used outside of

the classroom (in a homework setting) where

students learn the lessons that were

traditionally taught by the teacher during the

class period, but now that class time is

employed as a time where students can get

individualized attention and help on information

they don’t understand. It allows for a more in-

depth interaction with the course material and

more student-teacher engagement.

http://www.knewton.com/flippe

d-classroom-2/

Game Based

Learning

game play that has clearly defined learning

outcomes. This model is designed to allow

students to reinforce learning taking place in the

classroom through a virtual world, where the

student is working toward a goal. It allows for

students to make mistakes in a risk-free setting

and keeps them engaged with what they are

learning and to be able to transfer what’s

learned in the simulation into real life settings.

http://edtechreview.in/dictionar

y/298-what-is-game-based-

learning

Gamification

the use of game thinking/design elements in

non-game contexts. The main purpose of

gamification is similar to game based learning,

because it is meant to keep the student engaged

with the material, while also promoting learning

and participation with their education.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ga

mification

Hybrid Learning

this occurs when a portion of a course that is

taught in the traditional face-to-face model is

replaced by some form of web-based online

learning.

https://blended.online.ucf.edu/a

bout/what-is-blended-learning/

Informal Learning

This can be any learning that is not happening in

a formal setting. It doesn't have a set objective

like learning outcomes, and the learner probably

doesn't even know they're learning when it is

taking place.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inf

ormal_learning

MOOCs

Courses that are aimed at allowing students to

access courses in an open environment at a low

cost. It connects students to all types of

educational materials and creates a community

of learners all across the globe.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M

assive_open_online_course

OER (Open

Educational

Resources) -

these resources are public domain and available

under the intellectual property license that

allows people to use and re-purpose the

resources in a way that benefits them. This can

include all types of recourses from full courses

to streaming videos, tests, software, etc.

http://www.hewlett.org/progra

ms/education/open-educational-

resources

Personalized

Learning

Assessment

takes a look at learning that has occurred

outside of the traditional academic

environment. It allows learners to demonstrate

skills they’ve learned in other areas of their lives

and apply that to their education.

http://www.cael.org/pla.htm#W

hat Is Prior Learning Assessment

(PLA)?

Student-generated

Content

promotion of content that is created by and for

students. They are both the producers and the

consumers of the material. The teacher is

merely a facilitator, and the students take the

role of educating and collaborating with one

another to foster growth and learning.

http://studentgeneratedcontent.

weebly.com/

Synchronous

Learning

when learning, teaching and education are

occurring all at the same time, but are not

occurring in the same place. So, this includes

when students and professors could be logged

in at the same time for a web session, but are

not in the same place.

http://edglossary.org/synchrono

us-learning/

Virtual Classroom

A place where participants in a class can

communicate with one another in a

collaborative manner. EX: MOOC

http://www.learndash.com/char

acteristics-of-a-virtual-

classroom/

Learning

Management

System

This is asoftware application that allows for

learners to have their learning process planned,

implented and assessed.

http://searchcio.techtarget.com/

definition/learning-management-

system