Please note that the italic hyperlinks take you to other glossary terms on this page.

AICC
The Aviation Industry CBT (computer-based training) Committee (AICC) developed AICC as a standard which enables different CBT and Web-based training courses to communicate with AICC-compliant learning-management systems. Although AICC was developed by the aviation industry, it is now being adopted as a worldwide standard. Go to AICC Web site. View a list of AICC-compliant products and companies.

CBT
Computer-based training (CBT) is a learning tool which is often CD-ROM-based. CBT uses multimedia to communicate and engage the student and is generally a self-paced learning tool, but can be used to support other learning processes.

Centra Symposium
A learning-management system and tool for the deployment of collaborative Web-based learning programmes and courses. Go to the Centra Web site.

Chat room
Real-team on-line communications tools for text-only chat. Used in learning systems to facilitate discussions between students and lecturers and between students and peers.

Collaborative learning
Term used to describe the learning process where interaction among students increases the effectiveness of the learning process. Collaborative learning takes place naturally in the classroom and can be facilitated on line with discussion forums, chat rooms and shared working environments.

CourseBuilder for Dreamweaver
See Macromedia CourseBuilder for Dreamweaver.

Dreamweaver Attain
See Macromedia CourseBuilder for Dreamweaver.

Directed learning
Form of learning in which a tutor manages the progress of learning through guidance and support, in addition to show/tell demonstrations. Most commonly found in classroom training and mentoring, although can successfully be built into other forms of learning, such as e-learning.

Discussion forum
On-line environment in which discussions take place either in real time or over a certain period. Discussions can be threaded, enabling topics to be traced forwards and backwards. Discussions are stored, enabling people to view the discussion later and contribute at any time.

Distributed learning
Term, now not frequently used, to described Web-based learning - or e-learning.

E-learning
A buzzword, referring mainly to learning via the Web. Although the 'e' in e-learning should really mean electronic (and, therefore, potentially encompass CD-ROM and other electronic tools, such as help files), the common use of 'e' in e-commerce and e-business is what gives this buzzword its Web emphasis.

Flash
See Macromedia Flash.

Help desk
Although frequently staffed by technical experts tasked with resolving users' issues, help desks can be a valuable just-in-time training tool, if properly managed and also staffed by mentoring experts. Monitoring types of help-desk call can provide excellent statistics about skills-gap issues.

HTML
HyperText Markup Language (HTML) is the language used to create Web pages, such as this one! The language is a global standard (applied with varying degrees of compliance by the companies which produce Web browsers), managed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). HTML pages are often created using specialist tools, such as Macromedia Dreamweaver. Go to the W3C Web site.

IMS
IMS Global Learning Consortium Inc (IMS) develops and promotes open specifications for facilitating e-learning activities, such as locating and using educational content, tracking learners' progress, reporting learners' performance and exchanging student records among administrative systems. Go to the IMS Web site.

Just-in-time training
This form of training usually takes the form of small modules, delivered at the point of need. For example, the user says: "How do I do this...?" and can then query the just-in-time training system for an immediate short learning session. In a simplistic way, program help files are forms of just-in-time training. Just-in-time training can also be provided by help desks or by tutors/mentors who are available at the desk side.

KnowledgePlanet
A learning-management system for the deployment e-learning programmes, developed by KnowledgePlanet. Go to the KnowledgePlanet Web site.

Learning-management system
An electronic system or tool, frequently Web-based, used to track delegates' progress through electronic- or classroom-learning programmes. Many learning-management systems now comply with emerging standards for data exchange, such as AICC and IMS.

Lotus LearningSpace
A learning-management system and tool for the deployment of collaborative Web-based learning programmes and courses, developed by Lotus Development Corporation. Go to the Lotus LearningSpace Web site.

LearnSmart
A Web-based tool, developed by Transition Associates, for creating, deploying and managing e-learning Web sites which can be e-commerce-enabled and can include one-to-one marketing tools. Go to the LearnSmart Web site.

LMS
See learning-management system.

Macromedia CourseBuilder for Dreamweaver
Web-based learning development tool. This tool enables interactive learning scenarios to be built easily, using drag-and-drop techniques. Go to Macromedia CourseBuilder for Dreamweaver Web site.

Macromedia Dreamweaver Attain
Web-based learning development tool, now renamed Macromedia CourseBuilder for Dreamweaver. See Macromedia CourseBuilder for Dreamweaver.

Macromedia Flash
Macromedia Flash is a software tool which creates multimedia content for the Web. Flash files (.SWF) can be easily integrated into Web pages and will download quickly, but require the user to download a small browser plug-in first. Go to the Macromedia Flash Web site.

Macromedia Pathware
Learning-management system adopted by Lotus Development Corporation and integrated into Lotus LearningSpace. Go to the Lotus LearningSpace Web site.

Macromedia Shockwave
Macromedia Shockwave files are multimedia add-ins to Web pages, similar to Macromedia Flash files. Macromedia Shockwave files are created using Macromedia Director, which provides more scope for the development of complex applications than does Macromedia Flash. Go to the Macromedia Director Web site.

Mentoring
Process of learning which is, by definition, one-to-one training from a subject-matter expert. Often, mentoring is driven by the student (in terms of topics taught) rather than by the mentor. Mentoring is an excellent way in which to communicate expert or complex topics.

Multimedia
Many forms of e-learning are multimedia by nature, but the name, incorrectly, has become associated solely with CD-ROM based training. In fact, any training programme can be multimedia - for example, Web-based training can easily and successfully accommodate sound, video and interactive scenarios.

Pathware
See Macromedia Pathware.

Plug-in
Type of application interpreter which extends the functionality of a Web browser. Although there are many types of plug-in available, the most common for e-learning are Macromedia Flash and Macromedia Shockwave. The Macromedia Flash plug-in is now supplied as standard with Microsoft Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator.

SCORM
XML-based specifications supporting learning technologies developed by the Shareable Courseware Object Reference Model Initiative (SCORM) and distributed through the Advanced Distributed Learning Initiative Network.

Self-directed learning
See self-paced training.

Self-paced training
This form of learning requires the student to drive his/her own pace through the learning material. Types of self-paced training include books, videos, CBT and e-learning (although many of these can also be used in directed learning). Studies show that this form of learning is not suitable for all individuals - students must have self-motivation and a need for personal achievement to complete the course.

Shareable Courseware Objects Reference Model (SCORM)
See SCORM

Shockwave
See Macromedia Shockwave.

Skills Gap
Term used to described the difference between the required skills of a role and the available skills to undertake a role. This term is most commonly used to refer to the gap between a nation's needs and its present abilities - 'the IT skills gap'. However, the term can just as effectively be applied to individuals, teams or organisations.

Symposium
See Centra Symposium.

Web-based training
A learning process which takes place using the World Wide Web as the delivery medium. Web-based training can use multimedia tools and can be governed by an underlying learning-management system.

WebCT
A learning-management system and tool for the deployment of collaborative Web-based learning programmes and courses, developed by WebCT. Go to the WebCT Web site.