Learning and Performance Glossary

mastery

Meeting all of the specified minimum requirements for a specific performance.

measurement

A tool used to provide feedback to the learner and the trainer to determine where the learner is in relation to the ultimate goal or objective.

media

The means by which material is presented to learners; e.g. film, slides, computers, etc.

meta skills

Cognitive strategies that an individual applies to the processing of new information in a novel situation (a scenario not previously experienced). These skills include chunking or organizing new information, recalling relevant schemas, adding the new information to the old schemas, and creating new schemas.

mind mapping

Technique invented by Tony Buzan following research on note taking procedures which proved that if a learner writes down own key words then retention was maximized.

mLearning (mobile learning)

It basically means elearning through a mobile device, such as a mp3 player (iPod), smart cellphone portable computer, or iPad. This means the learners do not have to be in a fixed, predetermined location.

model

(1) A person that serves as a target subject for a learner to emulate. (2) A representation of a process or system that show the most important variables in the system in such a way that analysis of the model leads to insights into the system.

modeling

The process of observing and mapping the successful behaviors of other people.

module

A stand-alone instructional unit that is designed to satisfy one or more learning objectives. A separate component complete within itself that can be taught, measured, and evaluated for a change or bypassed as a whole; one that is interchangeable with others, used for assembly into units of differing size, complexity, or function. A module consists of one or more lessons. Also called “annex” or “subcourse”.

motivational device

A design element that causes and sustains interest or regulates activity for the purpose of causing the student to perform in a desired way.

multimedia training

An instructional system that incorporates all or various instructional methods and media. It describes any application that uses multiple media (graphics, text, animation, audio, video), but multimedia is primarily thought of as any application that uses high-bandwidth media (audio and video) and is most often delivered on CD-ROM.