Glossary
Intended to provide meanings to ambiguous words within an educational context. A helpful guide to abbreviations and jargon. Feel free to make suggestions to the glossary, or please contact us if you require clarification on a word meaning.
A
Apprenticeship – Working for another in order to learn a trade. Usually involves paid practical employment followed by attendance at college/night school to learn theory and gain a more formal qualification.
Assessment – Evaluation of work/ learning, can be undertaken in various formats e.g. examinations, portfolios, tests etc.
B
Blended learning – A mixture of modes of learning, e.g. classroom lectures, online learning at a distance.
C
CBT – Computer Based Training
CMS - Content Management System
CPD – Continuing Professional Development
CV – Curriculum Vitae - summary of one's education, professional history, and job qualifications.
D
DL – Distance Learning. Learning undertaken outside the course providers institution/campus. Usually done online or through self study books and materials.
E
e-Learning – Computer and internet based learning. It includes a range of methods, systems and interactions away from a formal classroom.
e-Portfolio - An electronic document/folder containing information on achievement and or student development, extra curricular activities, CV, etc.
Employability – Refers to a persons capability of gaining, maintaining, or seeking new employment.
F
Facilitator – (Within learning), a person who is responsible for leading or co-ordinating the work of a group or individuals.
G
Graduate - Has several meanings within learning. Most commonly; 1. A person who has gained a Bachelors/Professional degree. 2. A student who has passed a specific course/ college year.
H
HE – Higher education, (normally referring to Universities, but can cover any education post compulsory high school)
I
Intranet – A computer network with restricted access, as within a company or organisation that uses software and protocols developed for the Internet.
J
K
L
LMS – Learning Management System Learner - A term used deliberately to differentiate between the traditional ‘student’ (18-25 in university). Can refer to any person in any form of education, formal and/or informal, assessed or un-assessed.
M
MCQ – Multiple choice question(s)
Mentor – Traditionally, a person who guides and supports. Within education this does not necessarily relate to teaching, but most likely refers to a person who reviews the progress of a student or learner offering help and advice in a variety of contexts.
Module – Within education, a segment of information, topic or other. Interchangeable with the word unit, course etc.
N
O
P
PDP – Personal Development Planning
Q
R
ROA – Record of Achievement. Normally referring to the National Record of Achievement in the UK which was given to students upon completion of a high school education.
S
Seminar – Normally a discussion based meeting of a smaller group of students, led by a tutor.
T
Tutorial - a class in which a tutor gives intensive instruction in some subject to an individual student or a small group of students.
U
University - An institution for higher learning with teaching and research facilities constituting a graduate school and professional schools that award master's degrees and doctorates and an undergraduate division that awards bachelor's degrees.
V
W
WBT – Web based training.
