If you find yourself wondering how a virtual classroom works, why you’d need a VLE, or who on earth is Moodle, fear not. We’ve rounded up the most commonly-used names, abbreviations and phrases in ICT - and described them all in a simple guide, A Novice's Guide To e-Learning.

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The Novice’s Guide to e-Learning

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Technology can transform school life. It can improve a child’s learning and better
prepare them for the future. It can bring teachers, pupils and parents closer together.
And it can make a teacher’s life easier by, in the long-term, reducing their workload.
However, the barrier many teachers and schools face, before they can even begin to
understand how they can benefit from this technology, is actually understanding the
language that’s used in the educational technology industry. Being bamboozled by
jargon is not only confusing - it can also be off-putting.
So, if you find yourself wondering how a virtual classroom works, why you’d need a
VLE, or who on earth is Moodle, fear not. At Webanywhere we’ve rounded up the
most commonly-used names, abbreviations and phrases - and described them all in a
simple guide.
Asynchronous learning
Learning activities which don’t require “real time” interaction. Examples include
learning/teaching using social media, email or Internet forums.
Authoring tools
Software for creating e-learning content. Sometimes described as “rapid authoring
tools” - meaning there are predefined templates to reduce the time needed to create
items of content.
Bespoke learning content
Learning content which is tailor-made for a particular group or individual.

3. Blended Learning
A combination of e-learning and other learning methods such as classroom based,
homework based, group work etc.
Blog
From “web log”. An online journal made up of separate posts, usually a few hundred
words each.
Cloud computing
The “cloud” refers to large remote computer networks where data and software can be
hosted. For example, a Facebook or Twitter account exists in the cloud.
Collaborative learning
Used to describe the process of learning via group interaction and discussion. In the
context of e-learning, groups may communicate using social media, email or video
chat.
e-book
An electronic version of a book which can be downloaded and read on an e-reader,
tablet or smartphone.
E-learning
Using the web, and web related technologies for learning.
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e-portfolio
Electronic portfolio. A location on the web where learners can store and display their
work and achievements, either privately or publicly.
e-Reader
A device for reading e-books. Well-known examples are the Kindle or the Nook.
e-Safety
Electronic safety, also known as internet safety or online safety, is the security of
individuals using the internet. This is now a key area for Ofsted; schools have to show
that e-safety is a priority, that staff are adequately trained in technology and that they
are using it safely with children.
Firewall
Either hardware or software based tool for protecting a network of computers from
malicious attacks (hacking).
Flipped Classroom
This is a pedagogical model in which the typical lecture and homework elements of a
course or class are reversed.
Before the class session, short introductory videos or presentations can be viewed by
students at home, or anywhere with an internet connection, via their school’s VLE.
During the physical lesson an exercise, project or discussion will take place, based
upon what they have learnt from the video. This makes contact time with educators
more valuable, as the job of a teacher is not to introduce a topic, but to discuss the
topic, and provide any clarifications or corrections required by individual students.

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Gamification
The application of typical elements of game playing (e.g. point scoring, competition
with others, rules of play) to areas of education, typically as an online technique to
encourage a child's engagement with a topic or subject.
Just-in-time learning
Availability of learning resources so that learners can access them on demand.
Learning Management System (LMS)
See Virtual Learning Environment (VLE)
Learning Objects
Learning objects are self-contained learning components (for example, a video clip, a
presentation or a test) with associated learning objectives that are stored and
accessed independently. Within a learning platform, these can be assembled together
to create courses or homework.
MIS Integration
The integration between your school’s MIS (e.g SIMS) and your VLE. It provides one
access point via which attendance records, pupils marks, assignments and pupils’
behaviour can all be accessed, uploaded and edited.
M-Learning
A shortened term for Mobile Learning, enabled by wireless technologies, including
handheld computers.

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Personalisation
In an e-learning context, tailoring content to suit individual needs and preferences.
SCORM (Sharable Course Object Reference Model)
SCORM is a standard for e-learning content. It ensures providers can create content
in a format that is compatible with most modern VLE’s, and that users can import
content packages without issues.
Social media
Software tools or websites that allow people to generate their own content (which can
be anything from pictures to a status - a comment direct from their own thoughts at
the time) and engage in conversations.
Smartphone
A mobile phone with the ability to download and support applications (or apps). In
addition to making calls and sending SMS (text) messages, modern smartphones
provide e-mail, web browsing, still/video camera, MP3 player and video playback and
calling.
Synchronous learning
A learning ‘event’ that requires all participants to be ‘present’ at the same time. Similar
to a classroom environment, but online-based, synchronous learning usually takes
place in online chatrooms, via the use of webcams, or in a virtual classroom session.

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Tablet
A tablet is a mobile computer, usually touchscreen, with many of the characteristics of
both a laptop and a smartphone. The most commonly-known, and widest-used, tablet
is the iPad, with over 100 million now sold.
Virtual Classroom
Software that allows learners to ‘attend’ an online classroom. THe computer screen,
as well as allowing viewers to see the teacher, can also act as a blackboard or white-
board. Virtual classrooms, with the use of a microphone, also allow learners to ask
questions and even write on the ‘virtual’ blackboard or whiteboard.
VLE
Virtual Learning Environment. A program that can be used by teachers to set home-
work and assignments for pupils, as well as provide them with resources and links to
websites that might help them with their work. Assignments, videos, presentations and
even quizzes can all be added too. A VLE is usually web-based, so pupils can access
work set, and submit work done, from anywhere with an internet connection.
Web-based training
Delivery of education and training using a Web browser over the public Internet,
private intranet or extranet.
Webinar
Web-based seminar, where a presentation, lecture or workshop is transmitted over
the Internet in real time.

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About Webanywhere
Since 2003, we’ve provided website services and e-learning solutions to help schools communicate,
collaborate and promote themselves online.
As a provider of websites, learning platforms, design services and e-learning content, we’re also
recognised by leading organisations. We’re an approved supplier to the UK Government Procurement
Service, a Moodle partner, a Mahara partner and a Google Apps Authorised Reseller.
For more information on Webanywhere or to get the latest education news, advice and tips via email,
please get in touch.
Contact details
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Email: free-guides@webanywhere.co.uk
Web: www.webanywhere.co.uk