E-learning seems to be growing more complicated lately. Whether the field is expanding, or I am just listening better, I find there are many acronyms and terms (LCMS, LMS, SCORM are some the most frequent) that I can’t actually define.
One primary goal of this blog is to help you keep up with the changing landscape of the workplace learning and performance profession. E-learning is a huge part of that change. (E-learning is also a significant component in 4 knowledge items in the CPLP Knowledge Exam Content Outline.)
Starting with some terminology will help us build a common frame of reference to work from. In Chapter 22 of the ASTD Handbook for Workplace Learning Professionals, Bryan Chapman provides a taxonomy of learning technologies. He divides them into 7 main types (page 387):
- Authoring. Authoring Tools are software applications that allow you to design and develop your own content.
- Learning Content Management System (LCMS). The LCMS allows you to create, store, reuse, manage and deliver learning content from a central object repository.
- Learning Management System (LMS). The LMS automates the administration, documentation, tracking, and reporting of training events (Ellis, 2009)
- Synchronous (Live) Learning. Live, synchronous learning tools are software applications that allow multiple attendees to connect in real time from remote geographic locations throughout the Internet for the purpose of learning.
- Informal Learning. Basically anything that isn’t in a formal structured environment. In e-learning, it refers to the various technologies that support learning, such as wikis, blogs and knowledge bases.
- Off-the-Shelf Courses. In this context, off-the-shelf refers to anything commercially built that you can purchase and implement to support e-learning. (does this really make a separate category?)
- Talent or Performance Management Systems. Advances in the workplace learning and human resources professions have paved the way for systems to support learning and career development. A Talent Management System, aka Performance Management System, is the integration of the learning management system with the HR back office.
In future articles, I will drill down in each of the main categories. If you have questions, or topics about e-learning you’d like me to include, please let me know.
Tags: ASTD, ASTD Handbook, CPLP, CPLP Candidate Bulletin, e-learning, learning technologies, taxonomy, training