Acronym: Software as a Service. Software deployment model. The vendor or other provider provides a license for customers to use a software product as an on-demand service.

A simulation where the initial state has been set, and a goal (or goals) are provided for the player.

Acronym: Sharable Content Object Reference Model. A collection of standards and specifications for web-based e-learning.

A set of instructions written to control a computer, computer program, or system. Scripts are written in a scripting language which is interpreted at runtime, rather than being compiled like a regular program.

Standard Definition video has a resolution that meets standards but is not enhanced-definition television (EDTV) or high-definition television (HDTV). Resolution of SD video is either 480i (US) or 576i or 576p (UK and Europe).

Section 508, (United States) 1998 Rehabilitation Act, requires that all electronic and information technology procured, used, or developed by the federal government after June 25, 2001, must be accessible to people with disabilities.

Also known as an Immersive Learning Simulation (ILS). An optimized blend of simulation, game element, and pedagogy that leads to the student being motivated by, and immersed into, the purpose and goals of a learning interaction.

Microsoft's web application framework that integrates multimedia, graphics, animations and interactivity into a single runtime environment. Provides functionality similar to Adobe Flash.

A model to describe a situation, event, program, or phenomenon. An interactive simulation allows people to manipulate variables that change the state of the model.

Acronym: Second Life

Acronym: Subject Matter Expert. An SME is an expert on content.

Learning that happens exclusively or primarily in a social group; in e-Learning discussions, it refers to collaborative learning mediated through social software (such as Twitter, LinkedIn, FaceBook, and similar Web 2.0 applications).

Online technologies (Internet and mobile-based tools) and practices that people use to share opinions, insights, experiences, and perspectives with each other.

Noun: A design document (either paper or online), usually containing text and graphics, created to guide a Developer/Author in programming an e-Learning application. Verb: The process of creating this document.

Technique for downloading media (audio, video, or both) to a user's computer in a continuous stream and playing the media upon arrival.

Evaluation that assesses the outcome of the training. "Did the training work? Did it fix the problem? Did we do the right thing?"

Shockwave Flash, a partially open file format for streaming multimedia. Requires a plug-in. SWF files support exact positioning of graphical objects, and vector graphics, making files very small and fast to transmit.

Event in which the instructor and learners are online simultaneously and interaction occurs in real-time. Examples: Chat sessions, webinars.