7.1 Design of the Online Course Environment

Here are some common terms used in this module.

Asynchronous: When learners complete online learning activities at different times.

Blended Learning: When learning is partly online and partly face to face. A course may begin with a face to face component and move online or vice versa.

Blog: An online writing tool in which learners can detail experiences or answers to questions for assessment or comment.

Chat: A synchronous online interaction in which participants post and respond in real time.

Discussion Forum: Usually an asynchronous online writing tool in which learners can respond to a question, reply to and discuss other responses. Responses can lead to a “threaded discussion” in which a response can generate a new topic or thread.

HTML & HTML5 – hypertext markup language: This is the code that runs a lot of web pages and elearning. HTML5 was developed to enable interactive content to run on IOS devices.

LMS – Learning Management System: Moodle, Canvas, Blackboard, Desire to Learn, etc. Not to be confused with a Content Management System (CMS)

MOOC – Massive Open Online Course: An open access fully online course that is done independently without the presence of an instructor. The most common MOOC platform is Coursera.

Netiquette: A new term coined to describe how users should behave online when interacting with others

Synchronous: When all learners and instructors engage in learning activities online at the same time.

VLE – Virtual Learning Environment: Usually a Learning Management System (LMS) but not exclusively.

WCAG: Web Content Accessibility Guidelines – International guidelines to ensure that online content is accessible to the widest possible audience, regardless of visual or other impairment

Wiki: A webpage that all learners can contribute to and change

Complete the following to continue to the next lesson:

  • Read through the Glossary
  • Answer the quiz based on the Glossary