The document defines various online learning terminologies, including distance education, online learning, and hybrid courses, outlining their characteristics and evolution over time. It highlights the differences between synchronous and asynchronous courses, as well as the role of learning management systems (LMS) and instructional design. The author, Lirim Neziroski, Ph.D., MBA, is an expert in higher education and provides insights into the concepts used in online education.

1. Online Learning
Terminology
For more information, visit my blog post at:
https://lirimnez.wordpress.com/2021/01/18/recent-online-learning-terms
Feb. 2021
Lirim Neziroski, Ph.D., MBA

2. Distance Education
A formal, and somewhat outdated, term that is used to a describe a
classroom where the instructor and student are in different places physically.
Originally, students in one campus went to a Distance Education TV room,
while the instructor delivered a live lecture from another campus via a
“closed-circuit” TV platform – the video camera was directly wired into the
TV room. Essentially, the instructor “live streamed” a classroom lecture via
video camera and TV, and the instructor and student interacted through live
video. Today, this live video platform has been replaced with online classes
and live video conferences via the internet or a mobile app.
The term is still used in formal settings, such as government reports and
academic journals.

3. Online Learning
or Online Education
A broad term for education that is delivered through an online platform
via the internet.
Today’s online learning includes a Learning Management System, such
as Canvas, Blackboard, Moodle, or Google Classroom, and students
login to view course content.
Online Learning can be used as a broad term for education in an online
platform, but it often refers specifically to asynchronous online
education in a learning management system.

4. Online Instruction
A broad term that refers to the act of teaching in an online environment.
The term is often used to describe the teaching portion of online
learning, such as delivering a “live” lecture, and it is used to differentiate
other online learning work such as developing course content (which
includes writing instructional webpages or creating online exams).

5. Instructional Design
or Course Development
The act of creating instructional content and assessments in an online course
is called “instructional design” or online “course development.”
Instructional Design is separate from curriculum development (such as the
development of a syllabus or selection of reading material), and it is different
from “online instruction,” which refers to the act of online teaching, such as
a live video conference, commenting on a discussion, or grading.
Instructional Design can be similar to a teacher’s prep work before class
session because it can include the organization of content on a PowerPoint
and the design of a content page that includes lecture notes and embedded
videos.
Instructional Design mostly focuses on the organization of content into
modules, the building of webpages and assignments, the alignment of
activities and assessments with learning goals, the integration of technology,
and the promotion of accessibility.

6. Learning Management System
(LMS)
The LMS is a website (often called a platform) that holds online classes.
Students and instructors have a Username and Password they use to
login to the LMS.
The LMS is divided into online classes (which are basically “landing
pages” or “home pages” on the course website), and each online class
has sections for course content (such as webpages and videos),
assignments, discussions, exams, grades, and other tools.
Popular LMS include Canvas, Blackboard, Moodle, D2L BrightSpace,
Google Classroom, and more.

7. Correspondence Course
Before the era of the online LMS, students and instructors mailed or
emailed instructional content and assignments to each other.
(“Correspondence” means to communicate with someone by
exchanging letters.)
The term is often used today to criticize an online class in an online
LMS when the course does not have instructional content and when
the instructor largely asks students to email assignments, instead of
uploading them to the online LMS.
This term is used to criticize the online class by suggesting that it
doesn’t use the modern tools of online learning, such as file uploads,
online exams, and online discussions.

8. eLearning
(Electronic Learning)
A broad term that refers to education and training (including job
training) that happens through “electronic” platforms, such as the
internet and mobile apps.
Distance education, online learning, and remote learning are forms of
eLearning. Other eLearning forms may include webinars, educational
videos, educational TV programs, and learning apps on mobile devices.

9. Online Pedagogy
“Pedagogy” is the study of teaching, and “online pedagogy” is the
study of teaching in an online environment.
Instructors who teach online are often required to complete training in
online pedagogy, which includes information about how to interact
with students in an online environment, how to provide feedback on
assignments, how to group instructional content.
Instructional designers (who develop online courses) are experts in
online pedagogy, and they often work in university-college offices-
departments that provide training and scholarship about online
instruction.

10. Synchronous
“Synchronous” means “at the same time.” This term is used to describe
online classes where the instructor and students are present at the
same time.
In a synchronous online course, the instructor often delivers a lecture
“live” through video conferencing software, and students also ask
questions and engage in class discussion.

11. Asynchronous
Instructors and students in an “asynchronous” online course do not
meet at the same time. Instead, instructors post content such as
webpages, videos, assignments, and exams, and students submit their
material at different times.
For example, instead of a live discussion, one student may start the
discussion on Tuesday, while others respond to that original post on
Wednesday, Thursday, and later.
Asynchronous courses are often simply called “online courses.” When
people speak about “online education,” they often refer to
asynchronous online courses on a learning management system.

12. Self-Paced Learning
Students in “self-paced” courses complete assignments on their own
schedule.
Often, these courses don’t have an instructor who participates in the
course, or the course does not have any due dates. Students proceed
through the material on their own, and they complete assignments
whenever they can.
Self-paced courses are most commonly used for self-training online
programs, such as HR training about Title IX or diversity.
Asynchronous online courses also have an element of “self-paced
learning,” because students can select when they submit assignments
(within a time period).

13. Remote Learning
Another broad term for eLearning, most similar to a “live” or “synchronous”
class session that may or may not happen in a well-developed online LMS.
“Remote learning” can happen in a variety of online or electronic platforms.
During the era of Covid-19, “remote learning” was commonly used to refer
to traditional, face-to-face classes and K-12 courses that were moved to an
online environment. These “online” courses are different from traditional
asynchronous courses because these courses do not have approval for an
online delivery method (they have only a temporary allowance to move
online), and the course is not formally developed and evaluated according to
standards of instructional design and online pedagogy. Often, these courses
run as asynchronous online courses and can have a heavy reliance on email
and direct communication with the instructor.

14. Face-to-Face
A traditional in-person courses held in a classroom.
Face-to-face means in-person, but the course type could take many
forms: lecture, seminar, lab, and many others.

15. Video (or Web) Conferencing
Video conferencing allows students and instructors to interact live via
the internet, a mobile app, a computer program, or a website.
Video conferencing platforms use video webcams (which shows the
instructor or student) and audio for voice communication. They also
often have screen-sharing (which allows instructors and students to
show their computer screen) and a live chat box (where students and
instructors can communicate through text message).
Video conferencing is often used for asynchronous, remote, and hybrid
courses. Common video conferencing software include WebEx, Zoom,
Google Meet, Office Teams, and many others.

16. Hybrid or Blended
A course that has both an in-person component and an online
component. Course types include:
• An in-person course where one or more class sessions is conducted
online, either live or asynchronous. For example, a Tues-Thurs course
could meet in-person on Tuesday but online on Thursday.
• An online course (typically asynchronous) with an occasional in-
person meeting. For example, an online course could meet in-person
once a month for an in-person exam, student presentation, or lab.
The amount of content in-person versus online varies from one hybrid
course to another. A general rule of thumb for hybrid-blended courses
is the 25%-75% rule: more than 25% online or in-person but less than
75% online or in-person.

17. Web-Enhanced
A traditional in-person course that has a large online component.
Today, all traditional in-person courses have an online component on
the LMS, where instructors post readings, PowerPoint presentations,
assignments, and grades, and where students submit assignments and
view their grades. Originally, courses that used the LMS were
designated as “web-enhanced” to distinguish them from in-person
courses that did not use the LMS.
This term is rarely used now since the online LMS is so prevalent in all
in-person courses. But the term sometimes appears on course syllabi
to inform students that they will be doing some work online.

18. Hybrid-Flexible
or Hybrid-Flex or Hy-Flex
A single class that is simultaneously offered in three formats:
• an in-person course in a traditional classroom – where the instructor and
students meet in person in a classroom
• an asynchronous “live” online course – where the instructor does a “live
stream” of the in-person class (using online video conferencing) and
students participate “live” from another location
• a fully online course – where the instructor records class lectures (or
creates separate ones) and posts them online, and students submit all
assignments online.
“Hybrid-Flexible” courses also allow students to participate in a different
format on a different day. For example, the student may attend the class in
person on Monday, via live stream on Wednesday, but completely online
(not-live) on Friday

19. Lirim Neziroski, Ph.D., MBA is a higher education
administrator and previous faculty member with expertise
in organizational leadership, instructional technology,
curriculum development, and academic assessment.
You can contact Lirim for speaking, consulting, and writing
opportunities through his blog at LirimNez.WordPress.com.
Lirim is the author of From Analysis to Argumentation,
a textbook for first-year English composition courses.
 Request a desk copy through Kendall-Hunt Publishers.
 Find a new or used copy at Amazon.