The L&D dictionary
The definitive guide to L&D's key phrases and acronyms
What is an API?
API stands for application programming interface. Put simply APIs are a system where someone can “request” information from a third party piece of software.
What is an authoring tool?
An authoring tool is a software application that helps users create specific types of content. Authoring tools are important because they reduce the amount of time and resources needed to create and publish content, especially if the content has to meet specific technical or standardised requirements.
What is a knowledge silo?
Put simply, a knowledge silo is where someone in your organization (or a team) has information or skills that aren’t shared across the organization This reduces connectivity between teams as each team effectively works in isolation from each other and doesn’t collaborate.
What is L&D?
L&D stands for Learning & Development, and describes the process or department in charge of encouraging employee development, through training, elearning and/or 1-2-1 sessions.
What is an LMS?
An LMS is a central platform for organisations to share learning resources, measure compliance training and train their employees.
What does microlearning mean?
Microlearning is a term used in elearning to describe learning that is delivered in small units. Microlearning can be essential for corporate training as it is perfect for allowing quick, convenient training sessions in the flow of work, and also helps to address issues quickly, providing answers to end users quicker than traditional training videos and courses.
What is onboarding?
Onboarding refers to the process where new hires are integrated into a company and learn the basic fundamentals of the company’s processes, values and role in the organisation.
What is reskilling?
Reskilling means learning new skills so you can do a different job. Reskilling is a major key to future proofing your employee skill portfolio. The increasing digitisation of the workforce means that 54% of all employees will require significant reskilling according to the World Economic Forum
What does SCORM mean?
SCORM stands for Sharable Content Object Reference Model. SCORM is a set of technical standards for elearning software which defines how programmers and content designers should create learning content and software on a technical basis so that it can integrate with other learning platforms and content.
What is upskilling?
Upskilling is the process of taking the skills and knowledge you have in an area and taking it to the next level. This is commonly done by participating in training programs, learning from peers and attending workshops and conferences.
What is UGC?
UGC stands for “user generated content”. UGC can be in any format be it images, video, text or audio.
