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 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: a summary of one's education, professional history and job qualifications.
D
DL – Distance learning: learning undertaken outside the course provider's institution/campus. Usually done online or through self-study books and materials.
E
e-Learning – Computer and internet-based learning. This 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, extracurricular activities, CV, etc.
Employability – Refers to a person's capacity for 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 - 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 refers to universities, but can cover any post-compulsory education).
I
Intranet – A computer network with restricted access, 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 relate necessarily 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 words 'unit' or 'course', etc.
N
O
P
PDP – Personal Development Planning
Q
R
ROA – Record of Achievement: normally refers to the National Record of Achievement in the UK which was presented to students upon completion of their 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 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 awarding master's degrees and doctorates, and an undergraduate division that awards bachelor's degrees.
V
W
WBT – Web-based training
