Richard Nantel

A number of online glossaries provide definitions of the tribal terms we use in e-learning:

• E-Learning Glossary (Brandon Hall Research)
• E-Learning Essentials | E-Learning Glossary (World Wide Learn)
• E-Learning Mega Glossary (e-Learning Guru)
• Learning Circuits Glossary (Learning Circuits)
• Distance Learning Glossary (eLearners.com)

All of these do a good job of providing definitions of the terms learning professionals use.

It’s been a while since any new terms have come into use. So, I think it’s time to expand our collective vocabulary. Here are proposed new terms:

Blanded Learning — 1. An online course stripped of all images, animations, interactions, humor, excitement, etc. 2. Face-to-face training delivered in a monotone by an instructor.

On-the-shelf Content — Courseware that just won’t sell. Sample titles include “Building an Ethical Company” by Jeffrey Skilling and Kenneth Lay and “Anger Management” by O. J. Simpson.

Learning Middle Management System (LMMS) — A platform designed to train middle managers in the key areas required to perform their jobs. Examples include renaming departments, instituting random organizational changes, and learning micromanagement.

Instructional Resigner — A developer who, overwhelmed with the effort required, gives up on storyboarding a course immediately after listing the learning objectives.

Have some others? Add them as comments to this post, and I’ll publish an updated list.