Ability

The capacity to perform an act, either innate or as the result of learning and practice.

Ability Grouping

Arrangement whereby students are assigned to groups on the basis of aptitude testing.

Accelerated Learning

Combining adult learning theory and whole brain learning theory in the learning environment to achieve a faster learning rate.

Accounts Payable

Short term debts incurred as the result of day-to-day operations.

Accounts Receivable

Monies due your organisation as the result of day-to-day operations.

Accrual Based Accounting

An accounting method that enters income and expenses into the books at the time of contract versus when payment is received or expenses incurred.

Accuracy

The degree of freedom from error or the degree of conformity to a standard.

Achievement

A measurement of what a person knows or can do after training.

Action Learning

This is a continuous process of learning and reflection with the intention of getting something done. Learning is centred on the need to find a solution to a real problem. Reg Ravens is said to be the originator of "action learning"

The six steps are:

1) Formulate Hypothesis

2)Design Experiment

3)Apply in Practice

4)Observe Results

5)Analyse Results

6)Compare Analysis

Action Maze

A case study which has been programmed. Learners receive enough information to take them to their first decision point. The decision then takes them to the next frame, which explains the consequence of their decision. This process is continued until the maze has been completed.

Action Verb

A word that conveys action/behaviours and reflects the type of performance that is to occur (i.e., place, cut, drive, open, hold). Action verbs reflect behaviors that are measurable, observable, verifiable, and reliable.

Active Learning

A process of learning new ideas, skills and attitudes through what we do at work or in other behavioral situations. It is about learning from doing, performing, and taking action. The action can be either mental (e.g. reflection) or physical (e.g. case study). It uses such devices as games, simulations, introspection, role playing, etc.

Active Learning

A learning principle that says participants learn more when they are actively involved in the process. Remember the saying “we learn more by doing”.

Activity Step

The step of learner activity based on the enabling objective. In achieving the activity the learner is carried through the teaching points and the teaching steps.

Actuals

Information about the current skills, knowledge, perspectives and environment of individuals in an organisation. Specifics about what people now do.

Adaptive Branching (Adjustive Device)

Any of several techniques used in scheduling to accommodate individual differences. It may permit the student to bypass material they already know or may provide them with additional instruction as needed.

Adjunct Program

An instructional or training method that applies programming principles to existing course materials, texts, manuals, etc. Learners are directed to specific areas within these materials that support course objectives; then directed to respond and given confirmation until they have progressed through the material and have accomplished predetermined objectives.

Adult Learning Principles

Based on the work of Malcolm Knowles, adult learning principles refer to ways in which adult learning differs from child learning. Principles include difference in self-concept, importance of mutual respect, learning through discovery, responsibility for learning, ability to self-evaluate, difference in accumulated experience, the need to unlearn fixed habits, and the importance of applicability to real-life problems ("what's in it for me.")

Agenda

A list, plan or outline of things to be done before, during and after the training. An agenda is the road map that will lead to the achievement of the learning objectives. Everyone needs a plan and wants to know where you are leading them.

Analogy

A cognitive process in which an example or schema is used to map a new solution for a similar problem.

Analysis Phase

First phase of any Instructional Design System. The purpose of this phase is to determine what the job holder must know or be able to do on the job and to determine training needs.

Anecdote

A short story used to help illustrate a point, usually tailored to the needs of the learner

Aptitude

The ability of an individual to acquire a new skill or show the potential for acquiring a skill when given the opportunity and proper training.

Assessment

A measurement process of the learning that has either taken place or can take place. Usually measured against stated learning outcomes: Predictive assessment attempts to measure what the learner might achieve given suitable training Attainment assessment attempts to measure what the learner knows or can do, and is usually related to the syllabus of a course the learner has followed

Assets

All real or intellectual property owned by the organisation that has a positive financial value.

Asynchronous Learning

Any learning event that is delivered after the original live event. Also used to indicate a learning event where the interaction is delayed over time, such as a correspondence course.

Attitude

A feeling or emotion of a person that influences choice of action and response to stimulus. Defined as a disposition or tendency to respond positively or negatively towards a certain thing (idea, object, person, and situation). They encompass, or are often closely related to, our opinions and beliefs and are based upon our experiences.

Audio-Visual Aids

Training or educational materials directed at both the sense of hearing and the sense of sight. Including: Flip charts, overhead transparencies, graphical presentations, computer-based presentations, slide presentations, videos and DVD’s are some examples of audio-visual aids.

Authoring

A structured approach to developing all elements of a unit of instruction.

Authoring Tool

Software application used to produce media-based learning content.

Balance Sheet

A statement of assets and liabilities.

Bandwidth

Information carrying capacity of a communication channel.

Barriers To Entry

Conditions that create difficulty for competitors to enter the market. For example, copyrights, trademarks, patents, dedicated distribution channels and high initial investment requirements.

Baseline

A set of measurements (metrics) that seek to establish the current starting level of a performance. These measurements are usually established before implementing improvement activities.

Behaviour

Any activity the learner will be expected to exhibit after training. The activity should be observable and measurable. It is the primary component of any objective.

Behaviorism

Belief that learning results in a change in the learner's behavior. The focus of behaviorists is on the outputs of the learning process. The study of learning only through the examination and analysis of objectively observable and quantifiable behavioral events, in contrast with subjective mental states.

Block Of Instruction

A group of related instructional units or modules covering a major subject area.

Brain Dominance

An individual's preference for using one's cognitive abilities. There are two styles of thinking - right brain (intuitive, spontaneous, and qualitative) and left brain (factual, analytical and quantitative).

Brainstorming

A group method for collecting ideas and suggestions from the participants. This technique is used to problem solve and collect information by stimulating creative thinking through unrestrained and spontaneous participation in discussion.

Branching

An instructional technique, usually in the form of programmed text, in which the learner's next step of instruction is determined by her response to a previous step. Two or more directions in a program path can go from a decision point.

Break-Even Point

The point at which revenues are equal to expenses.

Broadcast

Method of transferring learning content to many learners simultaneously.

Business Services

Services offered to commercial organisations, such as: equipment maintenance, supplying of part time personnel, engineering, design and management consulting, etc.

Bypassing

In programmed instruction, a technique that permits a student to skip certain portions of the material because of prior knowledge.

Capital

The financial investment required to initiate and/or operate an organisation.

Case Study

A documented description of a problem situation that contains enough detail to enable the learners to recommend a solution.

Cash Based Accounting

An accounting method that enters income and expenses into the books at the time when payment is received or expenses incurred.

Cash Flow

The transfer of monies into and out of an organisation.

Causes

What gets in the way of individual and organisational performance? There are normally four kinds of causes: absence of skills and knowledge or information, weak motivation, improper environment, and flawed incentives.

Certification

Programme and process where a learner completes prescribed training and passes an assessment with a minimum acceptable result.

Chaining

An instructional technique that transforms a learned response into a stimulus for the next desired response.

Checklist

A list of relevant items to be considered when preparing and conducting a training programme or activity.

Clustering

A process of organizing many tasks into groups for the purpose of deciding upon the optimal instructional setting mix for that group of tasks. Also pertains to sequencing groups of objectives within a course of instruction.

Coach

A person, who instructs, demonstrates, directs, and prompts learners.

Cognitive

From the Latin cogito; “I think". The mental processes of perception, memory, judgment, and reasoning. Cognitive also refers to attempts to identify a perspective or theory in contrast to emphasizing observable behavior.

Cognitive Engagement

The intentional and purposeful processing of lesson content. Engagement, in effect, requires strategies that promote manipulation rather than memorization, as the means through which learners acquire both lesson knowledge and deeper conceptual insight. Engagement can be elevated through a variety of activities such as inducing cognitive dissonance, posing argumentative questions requiring the development of a supportable position, and causing learners to generate a prediction and rationale during a lesson.

Cognitivists

Believe that learning occurs when learners are able to add new concepts and ideas to their cognitive structure by recognizing a relationship between something they already know and what they are learning. The focus of cognitivists is on the inputs of the learning process. Cognitive theorists emphasize internal processes and knowledge representations which are impossible to observe directly, but which are inferred.

Collaborative Learning

A more radical departure from "cooperative learning". It involves learners working together in small groups to develop their own answer through interaction and reaching consensus, not necessarily a known answer. Monitoring the groups or correcting "wrong" impressions is not the role of the trainer since there is no authority on what the answer should be.

Collateral

Assets that can be pledged to guarantee a loan.

Collective Task

A task that requires more than one individual to complete with each individual performing a discreet part of the collective task.

Common Learning Objective

A learning objective written for a task element (supporting skill or knowledge) that is common to two or more tasks.

 Competency

A knowledge, skill, ability, or trait which is needed to succeed at a particular task or job.

 Competency Model

A list of critical knowledge, skills, abilities, and traits needed to succeed in a job, job family, or organisation. Competency models can be used to select, develop, evaluate, and reward performers. Some models focus on baseline (minimal level) skills needed while others identify target competencies needed for mastery of performance. Competency models often identify competencies which must be selected for (because they are innate or hard to train) and those which may be developed or learned through training or coaching.

Competency-Based Training

Instruction that is organized around a set of learning objectives based upon the knowledge, skills and attitudes required to perform a set of skills called competencies.

Competent (Competency)

Possessing sufficient or suitable skill, knowledge or experience to achieve a specific objective.  For example: He is competent to use a ladder in our building.

Competitive Action

A purposeful event designed to overcome the advantages of another company, or to advance your company over another. A competitive action can be for or against your company. The key is to identify the action taken as it pertains to a certain event, from the event then identify the goals and objectives of the parties involved.

Compilation

A learning process in which learners embed declarative knowledge in highly domain specific rules or productions.

Computer-Assisted Instruction (CAI)

The use of computers to aid in the delivery of instruction in which the system allows for remediation based on answers but not for a change in the underlying program structure.

 Computer-Based Training (CBT) – or E-Learning

Training that is delivered via a computer as opposed to a trainer or paper-based format. CBT programmes usually incorporate a mix of text, graphics, animation and interactive exercises.

Concept

A mental picture of a group of things that have common characteristics. A generalization is a person's idea of the relationships between two or more concepts. Concepts represent a group of solid objects, such as an airplane or book; or abstract ideas, such as leadership and honesty. A concept is an idea about a group of things. A concept involves thinking about what it is that makes those things belong to that one group.

Concept Map  or Learning Map

The arrangement of major concepts from a text or lecture into a visual arrangement. Lines are drawn between associated concepts, and relationships between the connected concepts are named. These concept maps reveal the structural pattern in the material and provide the big picture. Sometimes called Mind Maps.

Condition

The component of an objective that describes the situation, environment, or limitations in which the learner must exhibit the specified behavior.

Conditional Branching

Branching which occurs when a specified condition or set of conditions is satisfied.

Conditioned Response

A response that has been learned through employing a specific stimulus.

Conference

A group of people who get together to exchange information and ideas on a specific topic.

Confirmation

Giving each learner knowledge of the results of each exercise throughout the training process. This reinforces or rewards the learner during the entire learning situation.

Constraint

Any element or factor that prevents a person from reaching a higher lever of performance with respect to their goal.

Constructed Response

An answer requiring recall or completion as opposed to recognition (e.g., drawing a diagram, filling in a form, and labeling the parts of a piece of equipment). A term often used in the construction of e-learning based materials

Contextual Interference

Various factors inhibit a quick and smooth mastery of a skill.

Contract Learning

Also known as self-directed learning. It is a relatively new concept to trainers and learners. It allows the learner to select the topics or competencies they want to learn.

Controlled Pacing

A programming principle that implies self-pacing within an instructional system. The information and learner activity are developed so that the learners can progress toward the criterion objectives according to their own learning ability.

Convenience Goods -

 Goods often used by the consumer, but the consumer is unwilling to spend "shopping time" to acquire them. This covers a broad spectrum of products including candy, cigarettes, drugs, newspapers, magazines and most grocery products.

Cooperative Learning

Involves the more conventional notion of cooperation, in that learners work in small groups on an assigned project or problem under the guidance of the trainer. Also see collaborative learning.

Core Competencies

Those things that are essential and “must” be learned for an individual to accomplish the primary objectives of their job. The central, innermost or most essential part of what the trainee must know to do their job effectively.

Core Curriculum

A curriculum in which all or some of the subjects or courses are based on a central theme in order to correlate the subjects and the theme.

Corporate Image Advertising

A "corporate image" ad is designed to primarily promote the organisation and secondarily promote the products or services of the organisation.

Correlation

The relationship between two sets of data, that when one changes, the other is likely to make a corresponding change. If the changes are in the same direction, then there is a positive correlation. If it is in the opposite direction, then it is a negative correlation.

Cost Of Goods

The direct costs involved in producing a product or service which usually includes labour and materials.

Cost Of Sales

The cost of goods plus the expenses involved in selling and delivering the product or service.

Counselling

A means of assisting and developing students and subordinates. A leader/instructor counsels subordinates: to praise and reward good performance, to develop teamwork, to inform students on how well or how poorly they are performing, to assist students to reach required standards, to cause students to set personal and professional goals, and to help students resolve personal problems.

Course

A complete integrated series of lessons which are identified by a common title and/or number.

Course Management Plan

A document that includes the course description and the administrative directions for managing a course. Sometimes called a training management plan.

Course Map

A chart that depicts the designed sequence for events of a course.

Course Trials

A full length course conducted in a target environment (facilities, trainers and students) using the curriculum and supporting training material prepared for that course. It has as its purpose the "shaking down" or "validating" of the curriculum and materials in a classroom situation to determine their effectiveness in attaining the approved learning objectives or training goals. Also called "pilot course".

Courseware

The media, either text, computer program, or CD-ROM, that contains the instructional content of the course.

Criterion

The standard by which something is measured. In training, the task or learning objective standard is the measure of student performance. In test validation, it is the standard against which test instruments are correlated to indicate the accuracy with which they predict human performance in some specific area. In evaluation it is the measure used to determine the adequacy of a product, process, or behavior.

Criterion Referenced Instruction

Testing of the objectives as a learner progresses through the course of instruction. Learners pass or fail depending upon their attainment of the objectives and NOT in accordance with their rank or standing among peers.

Critical Incident Technique

A methodology of task analysis which determines the tasks to be included in instruction. Experts identify the critical job incidents and their products. Incidents are edited for redundancy, grouped into similar tasks, and then classified as positive or negative incidents. The incidents are summarized and then validated by the experts for completeness. This is a useful means for obtaining a list of relevant, real-world tasks to be included in instruction.

Cross-Training

Providing training in several different areas, functions or activities. This provides backup workers when the primary worker is unavailable.

Current Assets

Assets that can be converted quickly to cash.

Current Liabilities

All debts incurred in the normal day-to-day business and due within one calendar year.

Curriculum

The aggregate of courses of study given in a learning environment. The courses are arranged in a sequence to make learning a subject easier.

Customer

One that buys goods or services. One whose desires are fulfilled in monetary exchange. Internally: An individual who is served by another individual with a specific series of tasks or desired outcome.

Customer Interaction Point

A moment where a product or service may be used, seen, or considered by someone qualified to purchase it.

Debt Service

Tthe regular payments required to keep a loan current.

Decay Rate

The amount of time it takes learners to forget what they have learned in training. The decay rate can be stopped or slowed by having them use their new skills upon their return to the job.

Deductive Design

An instructional design where rules are presented followed by examples. The emphasis is on forming conclusions.

Delivery

Any method of transferring offerings to learners. Variants are instructor-led training, web-based distance learning, online laboratory, CD-ROM, and books.

 Delivery Of Training

 The implementation of a training solution such as a workshop, job aid, written or computer-based self-study program. When the training solution is implemented, it is available to the learner and ready for use.

Demographic Information

Numbers and population, for example; the size of the audience, location of the presentation etc. Factors which will impact the effectiveness of the training.

Demonstration

A method for showing participants how to do a specific task or skill.

Demonstration-Performance Method

A learning experience in which students observe and then participate in a sequence of events designed to teach a procedure, a technique, or an operation, frequently combining oral explanation with the operation or handling of systems, equipment, or materials.

Dependent Learning Objective

Skills and knowledge in one learning objective that are related to those in another learning objective. In order to master one of the learning objectives, it is first necessary to learn the other.

Depreciation

The gradual erosion of the usability and value (possibly due to obsolescence) of an organisation's fixed assets. In some cases depreciation can be declared as a tax deduction.

Design Of Training/Learning Intervention

The process of determining the purpose, objectives, structure, format, and instructional methods for a training program or learning intervention, such as coaching, OJT, and so forth.

Design Phase

The second of the Instructional System Design phases. The learning objectives, tests, and the required skills and knowledge for a task are constructed and sequenced.

Design Review

A technique for evaluating a proposed design

 Design Specifications (Design Specs)

A written document summarizing the design blue print for a training or learning intervention which helps to guide the design team. Design specifications s usually include the following sections:

*Background or context

*Target audience

*Purpose

*Learning Objectives

*Requirements

*Constraints

*Modules & Topics

Development

Growth of people to acquire new horizons, technologies, or viewpoints. It enables leaders to guide their organisations onto new expectations by being proactive rather than reactive. It enables workers to create better products, faster services, and more competitive organisations. It is learning for growth of the individual, but not related to a specific present or future job.

Development Of Training/Learning Intervention

The development phase follows the design phase. It includes creation of any materials involved in a training program, job aid, or intervention. Development results in the finished products needed to deliver training, e.g. trainer’s( instructor’s) leader’s guide, trainee (participant) workbook, hand outs, flip charts, CBT storyboard (script), video tape, etc.

Development Phase

The third of the Instructional System Design phases. The purpose of this phase is to develop and validate the instructional material (courseware).

 Developmental Need

 A gap between an individual’s current skill/knowledge/ability level and the level required for effective performance success in the future.

Didactic Design

Instructional design in which the student is presented information and asked to respond to questions.

Differential Feedback

Test response feedback specific to the multiple choice answer selected by the student.

Difficulty-Importance-Frequency Model

One of several models available for use in selecting tasks for training. Using this model, tasks are identifies as critical based on The difficulty, importance, and frequency of job task performance.

Direct Sales Method

Selling direct to the end user with promotional efforts using advertising, direct mail or telephone sales.

Discovery Learning

Students learn by doing and experiencing, rather than relying only on the trainer/ facilitator.

Discrimination

The ability to choose between two closely related responses to a specific stimulus.

Distance Learning

The provision of a structured learning programme delivered remotely from the learners. Media may include books, workbooks, video, e-learning etc.  Many programmes have a level of classroom based activity integrated. Often used for qualifications rather than work based learning

Distracter

In testing, incorrect answers provided as choices in multiple choice or matching type test items.

Distributed Learning

Students take courses from a variety of sources (and delivery modes) to customize a program of study. Often is used synonymously with online learning.

Distribution Channel

The path your product follows to be delivered to the end user. This may be through distributors, retail outlets, self service outlets, vending machines, telephone sales, direct mail sales, etc.

 Distribution Method

 A way of delivering training/information electronically. Methods include audio tape, cable TV, CD-ROM, Electronic Mail, Internet, Intranet, LAN (local area network), Satellite TV, Telephone, Videotape, Voice Mail, etc.

Distributor

An organisation that purchases your products for resale to their customers who are usually retail outlets. The distributor expects to receive a significant price discount for providing the distribution service.

Document Of Understanding (DOU)

A written document which describes the background, purpose, benefits, scope, deliverables, assumptions, resource requirements, time frames, and change management procedure for a given project. It includes a "sign-off" section which should be signed and dated by the sponsor, business partners, project manager, and other key project resources once the project parameters have been finalized.

Duty

A combination of related tasks equal a duty and duties combine to form a job.

E-Book

Offerings that organize text and graphics into on-line lessons or chapters like traditional print books.

Education

Training people to do a different job. It is often given to people who have been identified as being promotable, being considered for a new job either lateral or upwards, or to increase their potential.

Educational Technology

A complex, integrated process involving people, procedures, ideas, devices, and organisation, for analyzing problems, and devising, implementing, evaluating and managing solutions to those problems, involved in all aspects of human learning.

Efficiency

A measure (as a percentage) of the actual output to the standard output expected. Efficiency measures how well someone is performing relative to expectations.

E-Learning

The use of innovative technologies and learning models to transform the way individuals and organisations acquire new skills and access knowledge.

Elements

Components of a task or the smallest meaningful activity that describes what an individual is expected to be able to do

Enabling Learning Objective (ELO)

A statement in behavioural terms of what is expected of the student in demonstrating mastery at the knowledge and skill level necessary for achievement of a Terminal Learning Objective (TLO) or another ELO.

Equity

A percentage ownership of an organisation, usually in the form of stock.

Ergonomics

An approach to job design that focuses on the interactions between the person and the environmental elements such as the work station, light, sound, tools, etc.

Evaluation

The process of gathering information in order to make good decisions. It is broader than testing, and includes both subjective (opinion) input and objective (fact) input. Evaluation can take many forms including memorization tests, portfolio assessment, and self-reflection. There are at least six major reasons for evaluating training, each requiring a different type of evaluation: *Improve the instruction (formative evaluation) *Promote individual growth and self-evaluation (evaluation by both trainer and learner) *Assess the degree of demonstrated achievement (summative evaluation) *Diagnose future learning needs (of both trainer and learner) *Enhance one's sense of merit or worth (learner) *Identify or clarify desired behaviours (trainer)

Evaluation

Testing and comparing results.

Evaluation Hierarchy (Four Levels Of Evaluation Model)

Donald Kirkpatrick identified the evaluation model most widely recognized today in corporate training organisations. The Kirkpatrick Model addresses the four fundamental behaviour changes that occur as a result of training. *Level one is how participants feel about training (reaction). This level is often measured with attitude questionnaires. *Level two determines if people memorized the material (learning). This is often accomplished with pre-testing and post-testing. *Level three answers the question, "Do people use the information on the job?" This level addresses transference of new skills to the jobs (behavior change). This is often accomplished by observation.

Evaluation Instrument

A test or other measuring device used to determine achievement (go and no-go) or the relative standing of an individual or group or a test objective (i.e., attitude, behavior, performance objective, and other attributes). Evaluation instruments include tests, rating forms, inventories, and standard interviews.

Evaluation Phase

The fifth of Instructional System Design phases. The purpose of this phase is to determine the value or worth of the instructional program. This phase is actually conducted during and between all the other phases.

Evolutionary Approach

A method for developing training programs. It includes both deterministic and incremental systems, in contrast to the systems approach, which is entirely deterministic. This means that in an evolutionary approach, tentative or short term goals may be specified. This approach is particularly appropriate for situations where there is limited past experience from which to draw guidance.

Exercise

A structured experience in which the participants are involved.

Experiential Learning

A learning activity having a behavioral based hierarchy that allows the student to experience and practice job related tasks and functions during a training session.

Extrapolation

A sub-level of the comprehension level of learning in which students develop sufficient understanding to estimate trends or predict outcomes based upon the subject matter under study.

Face-To-Face

Learners and trainers are in the same location at the same time.

 Facilitation

The process of helping a group to accomplish its own goals by encouraging and leading discussion, tracking ideas and progress, synthesizing ideas, and keeping the group on course by balancing preplanned goals with spontaneously occurring needs. Facilitation assists a group in discovering its own insights, learning, and needs.

Facilitator

A person who makes it easier for learners to learn by attempting to discover what a learner is interested in knowing, and then determines the best way to make that information available to the learner by providing the knowledge, systems, or materials which enable the learner to perform a task more effectively. This is done by listening, asking questions, providing ideas, suggesting alternatives, and identifying possible resources.

Feedback

Providing individuals or learners with information about the nature of an action and its result in relation to some criterion of acceptability.

Fishbowl

A group process using a discussion group and an observer of the group.

Fixed Assets

Also called long term assets, these are usually non-liquid assets that are integral to the organisation's day-to-day business operations such as plants, equipment, furniture and property.

Fixed Costs

The day-to-day cost of doing business that is pre-committed, such as salaries, insurance, lease expenses, utilities, etc.

Flip Chart

An easel with large sheets of paper for presenting or collecting written lists or ideas, usually ISO A1 in size.

Formative Assessment

The focus of discussion between trainer and learner, as a result of which both parties review their objectives or approach.

Front-End Analysis

The "front end" phase of the design process in which the job is analyzed, tasks are selected for training, task performance measures are constructed, existing courses are reviewed, and the instructional setting tentatively determined.

Functional Grouping

Organizing instruction such that tasks that relate to the same procedures or equipment are presented together.

Games

Discovery exercises where participants learn by experience. The rules for games should be clearly defined for all participates to understand. Competition should be controlled so that all participants feel like winners at the end.

Gaming

A technique in which the student is presented situations involving choice and risks. The choices and the consequences resemble real-life situations, and the players are reinforced for various decisions. Gaming is typically an enjoyable learning method for the student.

Generalizations

Responding in the same manner to several different stimuli.

Gestalt

Study of human learning where understanding is based upon insight.

Gross Profit

Revenues less cost of sales.

Group Trial

Tryout of a training course on a representative sample of the target population to gather data on the effectiveness of instruction in regard to error rates, criterion test performance, and time to complete the course.

Group-Paced Instruction (Lockstep)

Students progress as a group at a rate equal to that of the slowest student. There is no fixed minimum time for a unit.

Guidance Package

A complete self-instructional package that guides the learner through various methods and media to achieve specific learning objectives and directs the learner activities in the performance of a task.

Guided Discussion Method

A learning experience in which students participate in an instructor-controlled, interactive process of sharing information and experiences related to achieving an instructional objective.

Handouts

A written summary of the presentation that is distributed to the audience before, during or after the presentation. Handouts will reinforce important information, summarize action items for the audience to follow up on and supply supporting data you don’t want to clutter your visual aids.

Hands-On

Student practice on actual equipment, simulators, or training aids.

Hard Skills

Skills to perform where job requirements are well defined in terms of actions to be taken and expected outcomes.

Heuristic Routine

A problem solving approach, not a direct step-by-step procedure, but a trial-and-error approach frequently involving the act of learning.

Human Capital

The value of the sum of attitudes, skills, and knowledge and competencies of people in an organisation. Unlike structural capital, human capital is owned by the individuals who have it. It is the renewable part of intellectual capital and is the source of creativity and innovation.

Human Performance Improvement (HPI)

A systematic process of discovering and analyzing human performance improvement gaps, planning for future improvements, designing cost-effective interventions to close performance gaps, implementing the interventions, and evaluating the financial and nonfinancial results.

Human Resource Development (HRD)

An organized learning experience, conducted in a definite time period, to increase the possibility of improving job performance and growth.

Icebreaker

A quick game or exercise designed to get participants settled or mixing with each other.

Implementation Phase

The fourth of the Instructional System Design phases. The instruction is delivered to the learners during this phase.

Income Statement

Also called Profit & Loss statement or P&L, a statement of revenues and expenses.

Inductive Design

An instructional design where examples are presented and then followed by the rule.

Instruction

The delivery of information to enable learning. The process by which knowledge and skills are transferred to students. Instruction applies to both training and education.

Instructional Analysis

The procedures applied to an instructional goal in order to identify the relevant skills and their subordinate skills and information required for a learner to achieve the goal.

Instructional Concept

An initial estimate of what the instruction should do, and what it should look like.

Instructional Design

The philosophy, methodology, and approach used to deliver information. Some courseware aspects include question strategy, level of interaction, reinforcement, and branching complexity.

Instructional Goals

Clear statements of behaviour that learners are to demonstrate as a result of instruction.

Instructional Method

A component of the instructional strategy defining a particular means for accomplishing the objective. For example a traditional instructor led instructional strategy may be accomplished using the lecture method, a Socratic lecture technique, and a defined step-by-step questioning procedure. Also called "method of instruction".

Instructional Module

A self-contained instructional unit that includes one or more learning objectives, appropriate learning materials and methods, and associated criterion-reference measures.

Instructional Setting

The location and physical characteristics of the area in which instruction takes place. The setting can be in a classroom, a laboratory, a field, or workplace location. An example is: a clean, well lighted, temperature controlled classroom equipped with individual desks, chairs, and individual video monitors.

Instructional Step

A portion of material to which the student makes a response. It is a stage in the instructional process that represents progress in the student's mastery. A subject to be taught is broken down into frames, items, or segments (steps). It is assumed that students cannot take later steps in a given sequence before taking the earlier step and that each segment or item represents a step forward.

Instructional Strategy

The approach used to present information in a manner that achieves learning. Approaches include tutorial, gaming, simulation, etc. Aspects of instructional strategies include the order of presentation, level of interaction, feedback, remediation, testing strategies, and the medium used to present the information.

Instructional Systems Design (ISD)

A formal process for designing training, be it computer-based or traditional instructor-led training. The ISD process includes analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation. Also known as Systems Approach to Training (SAT).

Instructional Technology

The use of technology (computers, compact disc, interactive media, modem, satellite, teleconferencing, etc.) to support learning.

Instructor

The person who teaches, trains or instructs an individual or a group of people.

Intangible Assets

Non-physical assets such as patents, trademarks, a customer base, brand recognition of your products, etc. This is also called goodwill.

Interaction

The act or process of interacting. Mutual or reciprocal action or influence; as, the interaction of an individual and a product on each other.

Interactive Training

An umbrella term that includes both computer-based and multimedia training.

Interim Summary

A segment of instruction that reviews recent learning to reinforce prior information.

Internal

Situated near the inside of a body (groups supporting direct customer interactions), Relating to, or occurring within the confines of an organized structure, Related or belonging to or existing within the management process,

Internal Partnership

Any relationship between leadership, managers, teams, or employees with a common purpose to achieve business objectives and serve customer needs.

Internet-Based Training

Delivery of educational content via a Web browser over the internet or intranet. It provides links to learning resources outside of the course, such as references, email, bulletin boards, and discussion groups. 

 Intranet

A company’s internal network which is based on Internet technology. It is accessed using a Web browser and is protected from unauthorized access by other Internet users via a firewall.

Introduction

A major section of a lesson designed to establish a common ground between the presenter and students, to capture and hold attention, to outline the lesson and relate it to the overall course, to point out benefits to the student, and to lead the student into the body of the lesson; usually contains attention step, motivation step, and overview. A segment that provides a general statement of the course content, target population, why the student is studying the material, and appropriate motivation to gain the student's attention.

Inventory Turnover

A ratio for evaluating sales effectiveness. For a given accounting period divide total revenue for the product by the average retail value of the product inventory.

Involving Question

A question asked to the audience to involve the group and learn what they are interested in learning about.

Job

What a person does at work to satisfy an employer's needs and expectations in exchange for pay. A job consists of responsibilities, duties, and tasks that are defined and can be accomplished, measured, and rated. It is used as an employment tool for classifying work and for selecting employees.

Job Aid (Performance Aid)

A device designed for use on the job and providing guidance on the performance of a specific task or skill. May be printed or on-line. Used in situations where it is not feasible or worthwhile to commit the procedure to memory before on-the-job activity. Often these are paper-based and posted on the wall in plain sight or in a small reference notebook. They can also be, decals, manuals, cards, etc.

Job Analysis

Breaking down the complexity of a person's job into logical parts such as duties and tasks. It identifies and organizes the knowledge, skills, and attitudes required to perform the job correctly. This is accomplished by gathering task activities and requirements by observation, interviews, or other recording systems.

Job Description

A formal statement of duties, qualifications, and responsibilities associated with a job.

Job Enlargement

An increase in the number of tasks that an employee performs. It is associated with the design of jobs to reduce employee dissatisfaction.

Job Enrichment

An increase in the number of tasks that an employee performs and an increase in the control over those tasks. It is associated with the design of jobs and is an extension of job enlargement.

Just-In-Time Training (JITT):

A method of providing training when it is needed.

Knowledge

Specific information required for the student to develop the skills and attitudes for effective accomplishment of the jobs, duties, and tasks.

Knowledge Level Summary

A reiteration of key points of content in a knowledge-level lesson designed to enhance a learner's ability to remember facts.

Knowledge Management

Capturing, organizing, and storing knowledge and experiences of individual workers and groups within an organisation and making it available to others in the organisation.

Knowledge Mapping (Mind Maps)

A learning method similar to outlining that consists of drawing out circles and connecting them with lines while writing words in the circles and on the lines.

Lead-Off Question

A question initiated by the presenter that is usually directed to a group of students at the beginning of a lesson or main point and designed to generate discussion.

Learner Centred Instruction

An instructional process in which the content is determined by the studentís needs, the instructional materials are geared to the studentís abilities, and the instructional design makes the students active participants.

Learning

A relatively permanent change in behavioural potentiality, that can be measured, that occurs as a result of reinforced practice; gaining knowledge, skills, or developing behaviour through study, instruction, or experience.

Learning

Knowledge acquired by systematic study in any field.

Learning Activities

Events intended to promote trainee learning.

Learning Analysis

The analysis of each task or subject area to determine what the learner must do upon completion of training, how well the learner must be able to do it, and what skills and knowledge must be taught in order to meet the end-of-training requirement.

Learning Curve

A curve reflecting the rate of improvement in performing a new task as a learner practices and uses her newly acquired skills.

Learning Decay

A decrease of learned skills over a period of time. Decay can be retarded by the conduct of sustainment training.

Learning Hierarchy

A graphic display of the relationships among learning objectives in which some learning objectives must be mastered before others can be learned.

Learning Management System (LMS)

Infrastructure platform through which learning content is delivered and managed. A combination of software tools perform a variety of functions related to online and offline training administration and performance management.

Learning Object

A reusable chunk of information that is media independent. Includes Reusable Information Objects (RIOs), educational objects, content objects, training components, nuggets, and chunks.

Learning Objective

A statement of what the learners will be expected to do when they have completed a specified course of instruction. It prescribes the conditions, behaviour (action), and standard of task performance for the training setting.

Learning Organisation

Continually learning new KSA's (knowledge, skills, abilities or attitudes) and applying them to improve product or service quality.

Learning Package (Courseware)

The media, either text, computer program, or CD-ROM, that contains the instructional content of the course.

Learning Portal

Any Website that offers learners or organisations consolidated access to learning and training resources from multiple sources.

Learning Step

A sub-unit of a learning objective derived when the learning objective is analyzed into its component parts.

Learning Strategies

The methods that students use to learn. This ranges from techniques for improved memory to better studying or test taking strategies.

Learning Style

A composite of the cognitive, affective, and physiological factors that serve as relatively stable indicators of how a learner perceives, interacts with, and responds to the learning environment. Included in this definition are perceptual modalities, information processing styles, and personality patterns.

Learning Style Inventory

A test or questionnaire which compares an individuals preference against a given model – Honey & Mumgord, Kolb etc

Learning Taxonomy (Bloom's Hierarchy):

A classification of cognitive, affective and psychomotor behaviors for the purposes of test design invented by Benjamin Bloom and his colleagues.

Lecture

A one-way communication from the lecturer to the group.

Lesson

A segment of instruction that contains a learning objective and information to be imparted to the student.

Lesson Plan

A written guide for trainers plans in order to achieve the intended learning outcomes. It provides specific definition and direction on learning objectives, equipment, instructional media material requirements, and conduct of the training.

Licensing Agreement

An agreement between two organisations allowing one to sell the other's products or services and to use their name, sales literature, trademarks, copyrights, etc. in a limited manner.

Lickert Scale

A way of generating a quantitative value (numerical) to a qualitative questionnaire (e.g. poor, fair, good, very good, excellent).

Lifelong Learning

The concept of 'continuous personal development' through student centred (self-actualized) learning.

Linear

A logical and incremental change

Liquidity

The percentage of an organisation's assets that can be quickly converted into cash.

Living Document

A state based publication refined and improved over time under single topic or scope. A suitable revision or presentation of information which the reader knows will change over time, but provided in a complete package to be useable in its current state.

Long Term Assets

Also called fixed assets, these are usually non-liquid assets that are integral to the organisation's day to day business operations such as plants, equipment, furniture and real estate.

Long Term Liabilities

All debts that are not current liabilities, that is, debts that are not due until at least one calendar year in the future.

Management

The act, manner, or practice of managing; handling, supervision, or control: management of a crisis; management of front line workers. The person or persons who control or direct a business or other organisation. Skill in managing; executive ability.

Market Life Cycle

The period of time that a substantial segment of the buying public is interested in purchasing a given product or service form.

Market Penetration Pricing Strategy

If near term income is not critical and rapid market penetration for eventual market control is desired, then you set your prices very low.

Market Share

The percentage of the total sales (from all sources) of a service or product represented by the sales made by your organisation. i.e. your sales divided by total sales

Mastery

Meeting all of the specified requirements for a specific performance.

Material Goods

Normally raw or processed materials such as coal or steel that will become part of the purchaser's end product.

Measurement

A tool used to provide feedback to the learner and the trainer to determine where the learner is in relation to the ultimate goal or objective.

Media

The means by which material is presented to learners; e.g. film, slides, computers, etc.

Meta Skills

Cognitive strategies that an individual applies to the processing of new information in a novel situation (a scenario not previously experienced). These skills include chunking or organizing new information, recalling relevant schemas, adding the new information to the old schemas, and creating new schemas.

Mind Mapping

Technique invented by Tony Buzan following research on note taking procedures which proved that if a learner writes down own key words then retention was maximized.

Model

(A representation of a process or system that show the most important variables in the system in such a way that analysis of the model leads to insights into the system.

Modelling

The process of observing and mapping the successful behaviours of other people.

Module

A stand-alone unit that is designed to satisfy one or more learning objectives.

Motivation

A learning principle that says participants learn best when they are m