The Course Creator's Glossary
SCORM, LMS, ADDIE, drip, cohort, evergreen — the e-learning world speaks its own language. Here's what everything actually means, in plain English.
What You’ll Learn
Every industry has its jargon. Course creation has more than most.
If you’ve ever read a blog post about course platforms and felt like you needed a translator — “SCORM-compliant LMS with xAPI tracking for asynchronous cohorts” — this course is your decoder ring.
No fluff. No theory you don’t need. Just clear, plain-English definitions of every term you’ll encounter as a course creator, organized by category so you can find what you need when you need it.
How to Use This Course
This is a reference course, not a progression. Jump to whatever section you need:
- Platform jargon (LMS, SCORM, xAPI, SSO) — when you’re comparing course platforms
- Course structure (modules, drip, cohort, evergreen) — when you’re planning your content
- Instructional design (ADDIE, Bloom’s, backward design) — when you want to sound like you know what you’re doing
- Assessment (formative, summative, rubric, proctoring) — when your course needs quizzes or certification
- Integrations (API, webhook, Zapier) — when you’re connecting tools together
- Accessibility (WCAG, closed captions, alt text) — when you want your course available to everyone
Bookmark it. Come back when you hit a word you don’t know. That’s what it’s here for.
Before You Start
Platform & Infrastructure
LMS, LXP, and Where Your Course Lives
Learning Management System, Learning Experience Platform — what they are, how they're different, and which one you actually need.
SCORM, xAPI, and Tracking Student Progress
The standards that let your course talk to your LMS — and why most creators don't need to worry about them.
Hosting, Domains, and the Tech Stack
Where your course actually lives on the internet — hosting, CDN, DNS, SSL, and the other terms that come up when setting up your platform.
Course Structure
Instructional Design
ADDIE, SAM, and Course Design Frameworks
The formal methods instructional designers use to build courses. You don't need to follow them, but you'll hear the names.
Bloom's Taxonomy and Learning Objectives
A framework for writing objectives that actually mean something — from 'remember' to 'create.'
Assessment & Completion
Quizzes, Rubrics, and Grading
How to assess student learning — from simple multiple-choice quizzes to detailed rubrics and automated grading.
Certificates, CEUs, and Completion Criteria
What happens when a student finishes your course — certificates, continuing education units, and proof of completion.
Integrations & Automation
API, Webhooks, Zapier, and Connecting Your Tools
How your course platform talks to your other tools — APIs, webhooks, automation platforms, and SSO.
Accessibility: WCAG, Captions, and Alt Text
Making your course available to everyone — including people with disabilities. The terms, the standards, and the practical minimum.