Educational Glossary: Key Terms for Online Learning and Course Design

When you hear educational glossary, a curated list of essential terms used in teaching and learning environments. Also known as learning terminology, it helps you cut through jargon and understand what’s actually being taught—or sold—to you. Whether you’re starting an online course, building one, or just trying to figure out why your training feels disconnected, this glossary gives you the real language behind what works.

Behind every good online course is instructional design, the science of creating learning experiences that stick. It’s not just slapping videos and quizzes together—it’s figuring out how people learn, what keeps them engaged, and how to measure real progress. Related to this is course design, the practical structure of a learning program, from pacing to assessments. Without solid instructional design, even the prettiest course fails. And if you’re using a platform like Thinkific or Kajabi, you’re also dealing with learning platforms, the tech systems that host, deliver, and track your learning. These platforms don’t teach you—they just make it possible to get there.

These terms aren’t just buzzwords. They’re the foundation of everything from micro-learning modules that fit into your lunch break to proctored exams that keep certifications credible. If you’ve ever wondered why some courses feel like a chore and others feel like a breakthrough, it’s because of how these elements are put together. Gamification, accessibility, community guidelines, and even something as simple as a well-written README in a coding course—all of it ties back to these core ideas.

You’ll find posts here that break down exactly how to build a course that doesn’t get ignored, how to make sure your content is actually understood, and what legal and technical pieces you can’t afford to skip. No fluff. No theory without practice. Just the real stuff—what works, what doesn’t, and why.