Reference

E-learning glossary

120+ terms with crisp, cited definitions, aliases, and cross-references to deep-dive articles. From SCORM, xAPI, cmi5, and LTI to the LRS, the xAPI Video Profile, interactive video, branching scenarios, online proctoring, and verifiable credentials — every standard, format, and learning-engineering concept in one place. Search by name, filter by chapter, or jump straight to a letter.

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Grade passback

Sending a score from an external tool back into the LMS gradebook, typically via the LTI Assignment and Grade Services.

G

Hand raising

A signaling feature in a virtual classroom that lets a learner indicate they want to speak without unmuting, so the instructor can manage the queue and call on them in order.

H

HLS (HTTP Live Streaming)

Apple's HTTP-based streaming protocol that segments video into small chunks served over standard CDN infrastructure, the de-facto standard for web learning video.

H



Hotspot

A clickable region placed on the video frame that reveals information, links a resource, or triggers an action.

H

ICE (Interactive Connectivity Establishment)

The WebRTC framework that gathers network candidates (direct, STUN-reflexive, and TURN-relay) and negotiates the best available path between two peers.

I



Identity verification

Confirming that the person taking an assessment is who they claim to be, via ID checks, face match, or knowledge-based methods.

I



Instructional design

The practice of designing learning content and activities so they teach effectively, applying what research says about how people learn.

I

Interaction frequency

The rate at which learners take active actions — answering quizzes, clicking hotspots, posting questions — per unit of content.

I



Interactive video

Video that lets the learner do more than watch — answer quizzes, click hotspots, follow branches, or take notes inside the player.

I



Interactive whiteboard

A shared drawing surface that all participants edit in real time, with the result persisted to the class record.

I

In-video poll

A non-graded opinion question shown inside the player that collects aggregate learner sentiment without pausing for a correct answer.

I



In-video quiz

A question shown inside the player, often pausing playback until answered, with the result tracked via xAPI or SCORM.

I

In-video search

A search function that lets learners type a keyword and jump directly to the video timestamp where that word is spoken.

I

Keyboard navigation

The ability to operate a video player and course UI entirely using a keyboard, required by WCAG 2.1 AA for all interactive controls.

K

Knowledge tracing

A model that estimates the probability a learner has mastered each concept at each point in time, using assessment history to drive adaptive paths.

K

Latency

The end-to-end delay between a speaker's words leaving their microphone and reaching a listener's speaker — the key parameter that determines whether live conversation is natural or awkward.

L



Learner annotation

Notes, bookmarks, and highlights a learner adds to a video, anchored to timestamps and optionally shared with a cohort.

L



Learning analytics

Measuring and analyzing learner data to understand and improve learning, built on xAPI statements, an LRS, and a reporting layer.

L

Learning KPI

A key performance indicator tied to a learning objective, used to report learning program value to business stakeholders.

L

Lecture capture

The automated or semi-automated recording of live lectures for on-demand playback, typically capturing slides, screen, and audio together.

L

Lecture summarization

Automatically generating a structured summary or study guide from a lecture transcript, using an LLM to extract key points, definitions, and action items.

L

Live proctoring

An online exam mode where a trained human proctor watches the learner's webcam and screen in real time and can intervene immediately.

L

LLM (Large Language Model)

A neural network trained on large text corpora that predicts the next token, used as the reasoning engine behind AI tutors, quiz generators, and summarizers.

L



LMS (Learning Management System)

The platform that hosts courses, enrols learners, launches content, and records progress — for example Moodle, Canvas, or a corporate system.

L

Localization

Adapting course video and UI for a specific language and locale — translating captions, dubbing or replacing narration, and formatting dates and units.

L

Lockdown browser

A purpose-built browser that restricts the test environment by disabling copy-paste, tab switching, and other-application access during an exam.

L



LRS (Learning Record Store)

The database that stores xAPI statements — the notebook where every "learner did X" record is written and queried.

L

LTI Advantage

The bundle of three LTI 1.3 service extensions — Deep Linking, NRPS, and AGS — that together enable a full integration beyond the basic launch.

L



LTI (Learning Tools Interoperability)

A standard that lets an external tool launch securely inside any LMS with single sign-on and grade passback.

L

Machine translation

Automated translation of text from one language to another, used to localize course scripts, captions, and subtitles at scale.

M



Manifest

The file inside a SCORM or cmi5 package that describes its structure, so the LMS knows what to launch and how it is organized.

M



Mastery

Whether a learner has actually learned the material, measured by assessment performance rather than time spent or videos watched.

M

MCU (Multipoint Control Unit)

A media server that decodes all participant streams, mixes them into a single composite video, and sends that composite to each receiver — the older, CPU-heavy alternative to an SFU.

M

Micro-credential

A short, focused qualification that certifies mastery of a specific skill or competency, typically smaller in scope than a full course certificate and issued as a digital badge or verifiable credential.

M



Microlearning

Learning delivered in short, focused units — often a video of a few minutes built around a single objective.

M

MOOC (Massive Open Online Course)

A course designed for massive open enrolment over the internet, typically self-paced with video lessons, auto-graded assessments, and characteristically low completion rates.

M

Multi-tenancy

Running one platform instance that serves many isolated organisations or cohorts, with strict data separation and per-tenant configuration.

M

Names and Role Provisioning Services (NRPS)

The LTI Advantage service that gives an external tool read access to the course roster and learner roles from the LMS.

N

Offline learning

Downloading course content to a device for playback without internet, with progress synced back to the LRS or LMS when connectivity returns.

O