SuccessFactors: Acronyms in LMS

Over the past few years, companies are using e-Learning more and more. Technology is at an all-time high and constantly changing; nevertheless, for different generations, it can be overwhelming. If customers are new to a Learning Management System (LMS), then some of the acronyms used might leave your customer/employee a little in the dark.

The area I find that most end users struggle with is the acronyms found in the Learning Management System (LMS) and are related to the delivery of the course; but wait do you know what “Delivery Method” means? Delivery Method is how the course will be taught (example in a classroom, or via the internet, etc.).

Let’s pretend you want to sign up for an annual safety class. You browse your catalog within the Learning Management System (LMS) and find the course you want to sign up for; but now you are confused on the delivery methods. You see “WBT” and “ILT” as options, but have no idea what this means.

There are many acronyms used within a LMS to describe the delivery method of a course. Let me explain a few of the most commonly used ones:

• ILT - Instructor Led Training - This is normally training at a specific site with a live instructor.
• WBT - Web Based Training - This is a training you will find on the internet (aka the “Web”).
• CBT - Computer Based Training - This is normally a self-paced training you will find housed within your LMS. It is probably a power point presentation that was created within a developer’s tool (Captivate or Aviation). Upon completion of the training, you normally have knowledge checks/ quizzes and a final quiz at the end. You normally must score 80% or higher in order for the LMS to mark you “completed” the training.
• Blended - This is a course that you might have heard of called a “Webinar”. You would go on the internet to access the video and audible of a live instructor. These types of trainings help a company save on the cost of travel, because it is all done online.

Just a little side note, I have used the LMS within SAP/SuccessFactors, Saba and Peoplesoft. The above abbreviations are pretty much the same across the board. All in all there are a lot of terms to learn in the LMS. I hope by giving a high overview of the definitions and abbreviations you can feel a little more empowered when selecting training or explaining it to your employees or customers.