E-Learning Glossary

L&D and e-Learning terms, explained in plain language, by FLOWSPARKS.

Accessibility in learning / eLearning

Accessibility in learning means designing training so that everyone can perceive, navigate and complete it, including people with disabilities. Learn the common barriers, the standards that apply, and the practical steps to take.

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Adaptive design

Adaptive design means building e-Learning that adjusts automatically to any screen, browser and device. Learn what it has to handle, why it matters for frontline teams, and what tends to break.

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Attrition rate

Attrition rate is the percentage of employees who leave an organization over a given period. Learn how to calculate it, what counts as a healthy rate, and where training comes in.

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Authoring tool

An authoring tool is software that lets you create, edit and publish digital learning content without writing code. Learn what an authoring tool does, why your choice matters, and what to look for when you compare tools.

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Blended learning

Blended learning combines digital and face-to-face training, so each part does what it does best. Learn the common models, why it outperforms either on its own, and how to make the blend work.

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Cross skilling

Cross skilling means teaching people the skills of roles next to their own, so a team can cover for each other. Learn how it differs from upskilling and reskilling, why it pays off, and how to start.

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eLearning

e-Learning is training delivered through digital means, so people can learn wherever and whenever it suits their work. Learn what e-Learning includes, why organizations use it, and what makes it effective.

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Green training

Green training builds the knowledge and skills people need to work in a more sustainable way. Learn what it typically covers, why it is growing, and how to make it effective.

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Hard skills

Hard skills are specific, teachable abilities that can be defined and measured, such as operating a machine or writing SQL. Learn examples, how they differ from soft skills, and how to train them properly.

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Instructional design

Instructional design is the practice of building training so that people actually learn from it. Learn the core principles, why it matters, and how to apply it without a team of designers.

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LMS

An LMS, or learning management system, is the platform where you distribute, track and report on training. Learn what an LMS does, who it is for, and how to tell whether your organization needs one.

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Microlearning

Microlearning is training delivered in short, focused units, each built around a single learning objective. Learn where it works, where it does not, and how to design it properly.

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Reskilling

Reskilling means training someone for a different role that needs a substantially different set of skills. Learn when organizations reskill, why it is harder than it looks, and what makes it work.

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Retraining

Retraining means training people again on something they were already trained for, usually after a procedure, system or regulation changes. Learn what triggers it, how it differs from reskilling, and how to keep it manageable.

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SCORM

SCORM is the technical standard that lets e-Learning content and an LMS work together. Learn how SCORM works, which versions exist, how it compares to xAPI, and where it falls short.

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Soft skills

Soft skills are the human abilities that determine how people work with each other, such as communication, feedback and handling conflict. Learn which skills count, why they are hard to train, and what actually works.

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Talent marketplace

A talent marketplace is an internal platform that matches employees to roles, projects and gigs inside their own organization. Learn how it works, why organizations build one, and what makes it fail.

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Technical skills

Technical skills are the specialist abilities needed to operate the tools, systems and processes a job depends on. Learn examples across sectors, why they go out of date faster than other skills, and how to keep them current.

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Upskilling

Upskilling means deepening the skills someone needs in the role they already have. Learn how it differs from reskilling and cross skilling, why it matters now, and how to run it at scale.

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