As we approach 2025, the landscape of instructional design and eLearning continues to evolve at a rapid pace. To help you stay ahead of the curve, Litmos has compiled this comprehensive glossary of instructional design terms.
Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting out in the Learning & Development (L&D) space, this guide will provide you with simple, clear definitions of the common terms you need to know to navigate the ever-changing world of digital learning.
508 Compliance
In the United States, Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 requires federal electronic and information technology (EIT) be made accessible to people with disabilities. EIT includes software applications and operating systems, web-based intranet and internet information and applications, as well as video and multimedia content.
Adaptive Learning
Adaptive learning is a personalized approach to employee development, in which training is customized to address an employee’s specific needs or skill gaps.
Accessibility
For instructional designers, it’s critical to make all learning content and experiences accessible to individuals with disabilities. Accessibility in eLearning requires videos with clear captions, transcripts for any in-course audio, keyboard navigation for online courses, and eLearning content that can be interpreted by popular assistive technologies (AT) such as screen readers. There are established accessibility standards like the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) that provide clear guidelines for making online content accessible.
Analysis Design Development Implementation Evaluation (ADDIE )
ADDIE is a framework used by instructional designers and training developers to create effective training programs, consisting of five phases: Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation.
Application Programming Interface (API)
Application Programming Interfaces or APIs are a set of rules and protocols that enable different software systems to communicate with each other. Litmos APIs and webhooks, for example, enable developers to connect external applications to their LMS. With APIs, organizations can streamline data and processes across information systems for operational efficiency, including the automation of training assignments and the moderation of administrative tasks.
Asynchronous Learning
Asynchronous learning is defined as learning that can be consumed at any time, allowing learners to complete coursework at their own pace. Many learning formats incorporate asynchronous elements, such as pre-recorded video modules, recordings of instructor-led training sessions, or recorded webinars.
Authoring Tool
A content authoring tool is used to create interactive SCORM courses. A powerful authoring tool will allow administrators customizable style elements, controls, and layout configurations, and will also give them the ability to upload external multimedia assets like PDFs, YouTube links, audio files, and PowerPoint presentations. Instructional designers can import courses created by external content authoring tools into their Litmos LMS, or they can use the embedded Litmos content authoring tool to easily create courses without leaving their LMS instance.
Blended Learning
Blended learning is a format that combines multiple modes of training, from traditional face-to-face instruction, to virtual instructor-led training (VILT), to self-paced online learning, virtual simulation, and just-in-time training. Blended learning can be beneficial because it tackles a topic with multiple, complementary modes of instruction that enhance and reinforce each other.
Branching
Branching is an instructional design technique that presents learners with multiple scenarios that lead to different paths or outcomes. This design strategy allows learners to explore different learning paths based on their choices, responses, and performance. This allows for a more interactive and personalized learning experience by adapting content and scenarios to meet individual needs.
Continuing Education
Professionals pursue continuing education to earn post-graduate credentials from accredited higher education institutions or professional bodies. The goal of continuing education is enhancing skills and knowledge in a particular field of expertise, through continuous learning activities.
Design Document
A design document is a detailed blueprint that outlines the objectives, scope, learning audience, instructional content, and timeline.
eLearning
eLearning or e-learning is a form of instruction that’s delivered digitally, usually online. Learners access eLearning modules on their laptops, desktops, smartphones, or tablets. As remote and hybrid workplaces become more common, eLearning has become an invaluable tool for employers who need to train teams, regardless of their location.
Evaluation
In instructional design, an evaluation is defined as a systematic and systemic approach to assessing a project’s outcomes to determine effectiveness and areas for improvement.
Experience API (xAPI/Tin Can)
xAPI or Tin Can tracks and records online and offline learner data in a learning record system (LRS), which can exist within a Learning Management System (LMS) or on its own.
Gamification
Instructional designers use gamification to enhance learner engagement and motivation by applying game design elements and principles to learning. In an LMS, gamification features might include points, levels, or badges. Leaderboards are also a gamification feature that can foster friendly competition among employees while showcasing leaners who are actively participating and finishing training modules.”
Gen AI (Generative Artificial Intelligence)
Gen AI or Generative AI is a form of artificial intelligence powered by a Large Language Model (LLM), which allows users to engage with it using natural language instead of code. Unlike traditional AI, which relied on pre-programmed rules to make predictions or perform specific tasks, Gen AI can create new content (text, images, or music, for example) based on patterns learned from existing data. Instructional designers can use Gen AI to automate L&D tasks, generate new learning content, and provide learners with more personalization and control of their development.
Inclusive Design
Designing with inclusivity should be a top priority for any instructional designer looking to build the best possible learning experiences. Inclusive design simply means ensuring that your learning experiences and environments are accessible and usable by as many people as possible, regardless of their abilities or disabilities.
Informal Learning
Informal learning is a student-led, self-paced approach that takes place outside of a traditional educational setting. Informal learning is modular and community-focused, promoting engagement and retention, often through hands-on or application-based experiences. When participating in informal learning, individuals explore topics of interest without the pressure of grades or strict timelines, often setting their own goals and exchanging knowledge with peers through forums or social media.
Instructor-Led Training (ILT)
Instructor Led Training or ILT is delivered by an instructor, either in-person or in a virtual setting, which is called Virtual Instructor Led Training (VILT). ILT and VILT courses are taught live, so that instructors can guided learners through topics in real-time.
Just-in-Time Learning (JITL)
Just-in-Time Learning or Just-in-Time Training is a mode of instruction that provides training content and resources to learners in the moment they need it. In a workplace, employees can use JITL resources like job aids, video modules, and infographics to solve problems, complete tasks, or apply recently acquired knowledge on the job.
Learner Autonomy
Learner autonomy is defined as the ability of learners to take charge of their own learning, goal-setting, resource selection, and progress By promoting learner autonomy, employees can develop critical skills like self-regulated learning and goal setting.
Learning & Development (L&D)
Learning & Development or L&D is a discipline that uses systematic and systemic strategies to foster continuous learning, knowledge acquisition, and skill development to support personal and organizational success . L&D seeks to facilitate learning and improve performance by promoting improvement of skills, knowledge, and competencies within an organization, in order to enhance performance and achieve organizational goals.
Learning Management System (LMS)
A Learning Management System or LMS is a software application used to centralize and distribute learning materials. An all-in-one LMS allows leaders, instructional designers and other users to create, curate, deliver, track, and report on learning materials and activities from a single platform that integrates with their organization’s business and productivity tools.
Learning Path
A learning path is defined as a structured sequence of courses or learning activities, designed to help learners achieve specific goals or competencies. Learners must complete the required modules in a learning path before advancing to the next stage.
Learning Record Store (LRS)
A Learning Record Store or LRS is a data repository that stores learning records received from multiple sources, typically used in conjunction with xAPI.
Learning Tools Interoperability (LTI)
A standard developed by the IMS Global Learning Consortium to integrate learning applications with platforms like LMS software.
Microlearning
Microlearning is a model of instruction that breaks learning content in small, manageable units. The practice of breaking courses into smaller pieces of content is often referred to as “chunking.” Microlearning modules can come in many formats, including (but not limited to): videos, podcasts, simulations, job aids, worksheets, and quizzes. The ideal microlearning module should focus on reducing cognitive load by only providing information the learner needs. To achieve this, instructional designers are encouraged to focus on one learning objective per microlearning module.
Module
A module is defined as a self-contained unit of learning content, often focused on a specific topic or skill.
Needs Analysis
A needs analysis is an analytical investigation that instructional designers conduct to understand the root causes and constraints contributing to a gap in learning and/or performance.
Needs Assessment
In instructional design, a needs assessment is the process of identifying gaps in performance between the current state of affairs and the desired state of affairs.
Personalized Learning
Personalized learning is learning that an instructor tailors to the needs, goals, interests, and/or abilities of a learner or group of learners.
Prototype
A prototype is defined as a preliminary draft of a project that is used to test concepts and guide the design process. Prototypes are often used to gather initial feedback from stakeholders before being fully developed into a finished product.
Scaffolding
Scaffolding is a technique in which instructors break down learning into manageable steps, offering guidance and resources as needed, and progressively transfer responsibility to learners as they develop proficiency. The term “scaffolding” is used because similar techniques are used in construction, to hold up structures as they are built.
Sharable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM)
Sharable Content Object Reference Model or SCORM is a set of technical standards and specifications web-based eLearning applications. SCORM modules meet these standards, making them interoperable – transferrable across various platforms or software solutions.
Skill Gap Analysis
To conduct a skills gap analysis, an organization must identify the skills it needs, and assess the skills that its employees currently have. In a tech company, for example, learning leaders might confer with executives to determine what business goals the company wants to achieve in the coming fiscal year, identify which skills would help them reach those goals, and determine whether employees currently have those skills. Learning leaders would then establish goals that indicate whether that gap was addressed by L&D initiatives.
Social Learning
Social learning is the practice of learning through interaction and collaboration with peers. This form of learning is often facilitated by social media, forums, or online communities.
Storyboard
In eLearning, a storyboard is a visual outline that outlines each part of a project in detail and provides an overview of the sequence and interactions within the lesson. Instructional designers use storyboards to organize the learning experience during the development phase.
Subject Matter Expert (SME)
A subject matter expert or SME is individual with specialized knowledge or skills in a particular field or topic, who can provide guidance in the development of learning content.
Successive Approximation Model (SAM)
Successive Approximation Model or SAM is an iterative instructional design framework that focuses on continuous improvement through repeated cycles of design, prototype, and review.
Synchronous Learning
Synchronous learning is learning that occurs in real-time. This can mean that all participants are present in the same physical space, such as a classroom, or that participants are all present online (in an ILT session or webinar, for example] at the same time.
xAPI (Tin Can)
xAPI or Tin Can is a specification that allows learning systems to communicate with each other, capturing a wide range of learning experiences both online and offline.
This list of eLearning definitions is by no means exhaustive, and we expect it to grow with every year! But we hope that this glossary of instructional design terms be a helpful reference for you and your team in 2025 and beyond!