Glossary of e-learning, L&D, assessment and AI terms
The words L&D teams, trainers, learners and engineers meet when they choose a learning platform, design a programme, measure it, or put AI to work. Each term links to a full definition with an example.
Learning technology
cmi5
cmi5 is an xAPI profile that defines how an LMS imports, launches and tracks courses, combining SCORM-style packaging and launch with xAPI data.
Learning experience platform
A learning experience platform (LXP) is software that helps people discover learning content through recommendations, search and curation, rather than through assignment.
Learning management system
A learning management system (LMS) is software that delivers, assigns, tracks and reports on training, from e-learning courses to classroom sessions and certifications.
Learning record store
A learning record store (LRS) is a database, defined by the xAPI specification, that receives, stores and returns xAPI statements about learning activity.
LTI
LTI is a 1EdTech standard that lets a learning platform launch an external learning tool securely, passing user identity and context, without a separate login.
Multi-tenant LMS
A multi-tenant LMS is a learning management system that runs many separate organisations or portals, each with its own users, content, branding and admins, on one platform.
SCIM
SCIM is an open standard that automatically creates, updates and deactivates user accounts in applications, such as an LMS, from a central directory.
SCORM
SCORM is a set of technical standards that lets e-learning content packaged by one tool run and report progress inside any compliant learning management system.
SCORM 1.2 vs SCORM 2004
SCORM 1.2 vs SCORM 2004 compares the two SCORM versions: 1.2 is simpler and most widely supported; 2004 adds separate completion and pass status and sequencing rules.
Single sign-on
Single sign-on (SSO) is an authentication method that lets people use one corporate login, such as Microsoft Entra ID or Okta, to access many applications.
White-label LMS
A white-label LMS is a learning management system you can rebrand fully, with your own name, logo, colours and domain, so learners see your brand, not the vendor’s.
xAPI
xAPI is an e-learning standard that records learning experiences as “actor, verb, object” statements sent to a learning record store, inside or outside an LMS.
Learning design
70-20-10 model
The 70-20-10 model is a learning and development guideline suggesting people learn about 70% from experience, 20% from others and 10% from formal training.
ADDIE model
The ADDIE model is a five-phase instructional design process: Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation and Evaluation.
Blended learning
Blended learning is a training approach that combines online learning, such as e-learning and virtual sessions, with in-person or live instructor-led learning.
Facilitator guide
A facilitator guide is the trainer’s step-by-step script for delivering a session: timings, activities, key messages, questions and instructions for every segment.
Instructional design
Instructional design is the systematic practice of creating learning experiences that reliably help people gain specific knowledge and skills.
Learning and development
Learning and development (L&D) is the organisational function that builds employees’ skills and capabilities to meet business goals.
Learning pathway
A learning pathway is a planned sequence of learning activities and assessments that takes a learner from a starting level to a defined, measurable outcome.
Microlearning
Microlearning is a way of designing training as short, focused units, each built around one objective that a learner can finish in a few minutes.
Train the trainer
Train the trainer is a programme that prepares subject experts or new trainers to design, deliver and evaluate training for others effectively.
Training design document
A training design document is the blueprint for a training programme, setting out the audience, objectives, structure, methods and assessment before materials are built.
Training needs analysis
Training needs analysis (TNA) is the process of identifying the gap between the skills people have and the skills they need, and whether training can close it.
Upskilling and reskilling
Upskilling and reskilling are two kinds of workforce development: upskilling deepens skills for a current role, reskilling prepares people for a different role.
Assessment and credentials
Capstone project
A capstone project is a substantial final task in a programme where the learner applies everything learnt to one realistic problem and is assessed on the result.
Competency assessment
Competency assessment is the process of measuring a person’s proficiency against defined competencies, using evidence from tests, tasks, observation or work samples.
Competency framework
A competency framework is a structured set of the skills, knowledge and behaviours an organisation needs, each defined with observable levels of proficiency.
Diagnostic assessment
A diagnostic assessment is a test taken before training to measure a learner’s current level and identify specific gaps, so training can target them.
Open Badges
Open Badges is a 1EdTech standard for digital credentials that carry verifiable information about the issuer, the achievement, the criteria and the earner.
Portfolio assessment
Portfolio assessment is a method of judging competence by reviewing a collection of real work products a learner creates over a programme.
Proctored exam
A proctored exam is an assessment taken under supervision, in person or online, so the result can be trusted as the candidate’s own unaided work.
Situational judgement test
A situational judgement test (SJT) presents realistic work scenarios and asks people to choose or rank responses, measuring judgement rather than recall.
Verifiable credential
A verifiable credential is a digital certificate whose issuer, holder and contents can be checked by anyone, so it cannot be faked or altered undetected.
Measurement and ROI
Kirkpatrick model
The Kirkpatrick model is a four-level framework for evaluating training: reaction, learning, behaviour and results.
Pre and post assessment
Pre and post assessment is measuring the same skills before and after training, using equivalent instruments, to show how much learners changed.
Training ROI
Training ROI is the net monetary benefit of a training programme divided by its total cost, expressed as a percentage.
Artificial intelligence
AI agent
An AI agent is a system in which an LLM plans and takes actions, using tools such as search, code or business software, to complete a goal over several steps.
AI hallucination
An AI hallucination is output from a generative AI model that sounds confident and plausible but is false, unsupported or made up.
AI literacy
AI literacy is the ability to understand what AI can and cannot do, use it effectively and safely, and judge the quality of its output.
Embeddings
Embeddings are numerical vectors that represent the meaning of text, images or other data, so that similar items sit close together mathematically.
Fine-tuning
Fine-tuning is further training of a pre-trained AI model on a smaller, task-specific dataset to adapt its behaviour, style or performance.
Generative AI
Generative AI is a type of artificial intelligence that creates new content, such as text, images, audio, video or code, from patterns learnt from data.
Large language model
A large language model (LLM) is an AI model trained on vast amounts of text to understand and generate language by predicting the next token.
LLM evaluation
LLM evaluation is the systematic testing of a language model or LLM application against defined criteria to measure quality, accuracy and safety.
Machine learning
Machine learning is a branch of AI in which computers learn patterns from data to make predictions or decisions without being explicitly programmed for each rule.
Prompt engineering
Prompt engineering is the practice of writing and refining instructions to a generative AI model so it produces accurate, useful output for a task.
Responsible AI
Responsible AI is the practice of designing, deploying and using AI so that it is fair, safe, transparent, accountable and respects privacy.
Retrieval-augmented generation
Retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) is a technique where an AI system retrieves relevant documents first and gives them to an LLM to ground its answer.
Language and communication
Business English
Business English is the English used to get work done: clear emails, meetings, calls, presentations and reports that colleagues and clients act on easily.
CEFR
CEFR is the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, an international standard describing language ability on six levels from A1 to C2.
Intelligibility
Intelligibility is how much of a speaker’s message a listener actually understands, as distinct from accent or how native the speaker sounds.