12 e-Learning Buzzwords You Need to Know

Maybe you’re new to the e-Learning industry, and all of this online training development language is unfamiliar to you—or maybe you’ve been in the industry for years, and you’re always discovering new trends and techniques to make your e-Learning development even better. Either way, if you’ve thought “Hmm, that’s a new term!” recently, then this post is for you!

Check out these 12 e-Learning buzzwords that you need to know right now, along with resources to expand your e-Learning knowledge.

1. Gamification- Gamification is the current trend of adding games and game thinking to non-game contexts like online training courses. This makes learning more engaging and exciting! Here’s a great collection of gamification resources to get started: Thursday’s Trending e-Learning Topic: Gamification. Plus, find out: Is Gamification More Than Just a Buzzword?
2. m-Learning - Mobile learning is online training that’s specifically designed to be used on mobile devices, like smartphones and tablets. m-Learning is convenient because it allows anywhere, anytime learning. Use this collection of m-Learning resources to help you create mobile-friendly courses: Thursday’s Trending e-Learning Topic: m-Learning.
3. BYOD - Bring Your Own Device is a trend, often associated with mobile learning, where employees bring their own smartphone, tablet or personal computer for work. To learn more about BYOD, read this blog post: BYOD: The Trend and the Challenge.
4. StoryboardingStoryboards are visual organizers of images in a sequence. It’s an efficient way to plan e-Learning courses because it allows your entire team, including SMEs, to review and approve major decisions before course development begins. Get a few great storyboarding tips here: Storyboarding Online Training Courses with Your Team
5. MOOCs - MOOCs, or massive online open courses, are large-scale, online courses, which usually require a significant amount of learner participation. Corporate MOOCs provide opportunities for recruiting and certification for on-the-job training. Want to find out more? Take a look at thisIndustry Review: All About MOOCs.
6. Blended Learning - If you’re looking for a balance of online training and face-to-face instruction, blended learning may be a good solution. It allows you to take the benefits of both techniques and adjust for your organization’s needs. This blog post is a good resource for creating a successful blended learning experience: 5 Best Practices for Blended Learning. 
7. LocalizationLocalization is the process of translating any content—like e-Learning—into a different language and also adapting it for the designated region. This involves more than just translating; culturally-appropriate images and topics are also an important part of localization. This whitepaper can answer a few of your questions: What is e-Learning Localization?
8. Scenarios - Scenarios in e-Learning are real-life situations that put the learner in a practical, problem-solving role. These real-life workplace situations can really improve on-the-job performance after the online training is over. These 4 tips can help: Building Scenario-Based e-Learning Courses.
9. 508 CompliantA 508-compliant e-Learning course follows the accessibility guidelines of Section 508 of the Workforce Rehabilitation Act, which outlines the standards making your course accessible to people with disabilities. Check out this whitepaper for more information: What Does Section 508 Compliance Mean for Your e-Learning Course?
10. The Tin Can API - Tin Can is a new specification for learning technology that makes it possible to track a wide range of learning experiences online or offline and makes it even easier to collect data. Find out the opportunities Tin Can provides in this blog post: What the Tin Can API Means for Your Online Training Course.
11. HTML5 - HTML5, or the fifth revision of the Hypertext Markup Language, is used for creating animations and interactive content. It’s also great for publishing online training content to mobile devices. To learn more, check out The Role of HTML5 in e-Learning.
12. Social Learning - Social learning is especially popular right now, thanks to the increased role of social media in e-Learning. Some examples of social learning are Twitter chats, Skype calls and group discussions. Here’s a collection of helpful resources on this trend: Thursday’s Trending e-Learning Topic: Social Learning.