We use these terms throughout our learning platforms, and because they can be confusing, here's how we use them: 

Learning Management System (LMS)

A LMS is a platform to delivering training. Our platform is called the BrainStation LMS, and it's designed to make it easy to find and access eLearning courses - and easy for companies to build their own training courses as well! 

Course

We use the term Course to describe one learning object which helps the learner achieve one or more specific learning outcomes.  Each of our Courses is comprised of multiple modules which we call Lessons. 

Lesson

A lesson is one unit of learning, and might be a video, an article, a document, or another type of module which helps to convey knowledge.  Lessons are grouped together into Courses. 

Learning Path

A Learning Path is a group of Courses, which are bundled together for a specific purpose.  For example, new employees might be given a New Employee Learning Path which includes all the courses their organization wants them to take as they start their new job.   Learning Paths can be sequential, meaning the courses must be taken in a specific order, or non-sequential which means the learner can take them in any order they choose. 

Question Pool

Courses can include Questions, to help assess the learner's progress during a Course.  Sometimes the organization wants the learner to answer a series of questions (as a quiz or exam), but wants each learner's questions to be randomized and different from other learners.  A Question Pool is a group of questions, and when included in a course a preselected number of those questions (which may or may not be all questions in the Question Pool) will be presented to the learner. 

Learner

The person expanding their knowledge and skills by participating in a training course!  This is often used interchangeably with “User” or “Member”. 

Team and Sub-Team

A Team is a group of Learners in our LMS.  Generally, each Team represents one company or organization, and all Learners in that Team are part of that company or organization.  For certain activities, such as creating custom courses in the Team Library or running reports, those actions are limited to users on the same Team.  

A Sub-Team is a subset of Learners on one Team, such as a Department, Group, or Location.  Sub-Teams can be used to assign courses and run reports on those specific Groups. 

Team Leader or Team Admin

These are Learners with additional capabilities.  Team Admins can also create courses, assign courses to other Learners on their Team, and run reports.  Team Leaders can do everything a Team Admin can do, and can also add and edit the users (Learners) on their Team. 

Certificate

Most of the time when you complete a Course successfully, you will earn a Course Certificate.  (Note: this can be disabled for certain courses).  The Certificate shows your accomplishment and can be downloaded as a PDF. 

Digital Badge

For certain courses, when the course is completed successfully you can earn a Digital Badge. The Badge itself can be downloaded as an image file, or shared directly to your LinkedIN profile page.  Note that for longer or more complex courses, the Badge is more elaborate!