Glossary of Terms
The following terms and definitions will help provide a clear, universal understanding of the language found within the Course Review checklist.
Accessibility - The practice of making a product, service, information or environment available to all learners. For online courses, accessibility measures the extent to which learners with disabilities can access course information, instructional materials, tools, and activities used for teaching and learning.
Active Learning - Active learning occurs when learners engage by “doing” something, such as discovering, discussing, creating, processing, or applying concepts and information. Examples include discussion boards, case studies, simulation activities, peer reviews, reflection/journaling.
Activity - An ‘activity’ is any activity that serves to reinforce knowledge or practice new skills students are learning in the course to further master learning outcomes. Often, an activity allows for practice, discovery, and trial-and error. Examples include low stakes or practice quizzes, journaling, draft writings with feedback, etc.
Alignment - Critical course components working together to ensure learners achieve the desired learning outcomes. Alignment ensures learning activities, assignments, assessments, course materials, and technology all support the achievement of the learning outcomes.
Assessment (the process of) - An ongoing, systematic process of evaluating learning achievement that (1) is based on clear expectations for learning(learning outcomes), (2) provides sufficient opportunities for learners to achieve expectations, (3) gathers evidence that learning has occurred, and (4) applies the information to improve teaching and learning.
Assessments (strategies) - Instruments used to evaluate learning progress; specifically, assessments measure learner achievement of learning outcomes.
Assignments - Assignments (graded or ungraded) that help learners meet the learning outcomes.
Course-level Learning Outcomes - The specific and measurable knowledge, skills, attributes, and habits learners are expected to demonstrate and achieve at the end of their educational experiences in a course. (See Bloom’s Taxonomy)
Course Map - A table or diagram used to organize the learning outcomes so they align to the assignments, assessments, activities, materials, and technologies used in the course.
Criteria - The qualitative or quantitative guidelines, rules, principles, or statements by which learner responses and work products are evaluated.
Evaluation - A judgment regarding the quality, value, or worth of a response, work product, or performance based on established criteria. The evaluation of a learner's work is typically reflected in the grade assigned or score earned.
Feedback - Specific comments, guidance, and information provided by the instructor in response to a learner assignment or assessment. Feedback is tied to the evaluation criteria and includes specific details of the resulting grade.
Instructional Materials - The resources and materials used to deliver the instruction and information needed for learners to achieve the learning outcomes. Examples include textbooks, PPT’s, supplemental readings, journals, videos, websites, etc.
Learner Interaction - A key learning strategy designed to ensure the learner’s engagement with and active participation in the course. The three types of learner interaction are learner-content (ex: text readings or watching a video), learner-instructor (ex: meetings and feedback), and learner-learner (ex: discussions, peer-reviews, group projects).
Module Level Learning Outcomes - The specific and measurable knowledge, skills, attributes, and habits learners are expected to demonstrate and achieve at the end of a course module. Module level outcomes should align with the course level outcomes. (See Bloom’s Taxonomy)
Multimedia - The use or integration of various types of media such as images, audio, video, animations, and interactive components.
Substantive Interaction - Regular, direct interaction between the learner and the instructor.
Technology – A wide array of different hardware, software, subscriptions, and plug-ins that are used in a course.
Tools – Types of software and applications that enable learner interaction and may be used for content delivery or providing feedback in the course; may be included in or external to the LMS.
Usability - Ease of use and learnability. For online courses, usability refers to the ability of learners to easily navigate and interact with course components, technology, and tools.