LMS & eLearning Glossary

LMS (Learning Management System)

Software to deliver, track, and report on training.

A Learning Management System is a software platform that organizations use to deliver, manage, track, and report on training and education. An LMS hosts courses, assigns learners, records completions, and produces analytics for administrators, instructors, and managers.

LRS (Learning Record Store)

Database that stores xAPI learning experience data.

A Learning Record Store collects and stores learning activity statements sent by xAPI-enabled tools — including activity outside a traditional LMS, such as on-the-job tasks, simulations, mobile learning, and informal experiences.

What is SCORM?

The most common eLearning content packaging standard.

SCORM (Sharable Content Object Reference Model) is the long-standing standard for packaging eLearning content so it runs in any compliant LMS. SCORM 1.2 and SCORM 2004 track basics like completion, score, time, and pass/fail. Most authoring tools (Articulate Storyline, Rise, Adobe Captivate, iSpring) export SCORM packages.

What is xAPI (Tin Can)?

Modern standard for tracking any learning experience, anywhere.

xAPI (Experience API, formerly Tin Can) is a modern specification that tracks learning experiences as 'statements' (actor – verb – object). Unlike SCORM, xAPI works outside the LMS, supports mobile and offline activity, captures richer data, and stores statements in a Learning Record Store (LRS).

xAPI vs cmi5

cmi5 adds LMS launch and reporting rules to xAPI.

xAPI is a flexible specification for tracking any learning experience. cmi5 is a profile of xAPI that defines how an LMS launches content, manages sessions, and reports results — essentially combining the structure of SCORM with the flexibility of xAPI. Use xAPI for free-form experience tracking; use cmi5 when you need formal LMS-launched courses with xAPI's richer data.

What is AICC?

Legacy aviation-industry eLearning standard.

AICC (Aviation Industry CBT Committee) is one of the earliest eLearning standards. It predates SCORM and is still used by some legacy content libraries. Modern LMSs like WestNet LMS support AICC for backward compatibility, but new content is typically authored in SCORM, xAPI, or cmi5.

SCORM vs xAPI

SCORM is browser/LMS-bound; xAPI tracks anywhere.

SCORM tracks course completion, score, and time inside an LMS-hosted browser session. xAPI tracks any learning experience — inside or outside the LMS, online or offline — using flexible activity statements. Choose SCORM for traditional eLearning courses; choose xAPI when you need to capture broader learning activity or feed data into a Learning Record Store.

What is SSO?

Single Sign-On — one login for multiple systems.

Single Sign-On lets users log in once with their corporate credentials (e.g., via SAML, OIDC, Google Workspace, Microsoft Entra ID/Azure AD) and access the LMS without a separate password. SSO improves security, reduces password fatigue, and simplifies onboarding/offboarding.

ILT vs VILT

Instructor-Led Training vs Virtual Instructor-Led Training.

ILT (Instructor-Led Training) is traditional in-person classroom training. VILT (Virtual Instructor-Led Training) is the same instructor-led format delivered live over a virtual classroom platform (Zoom, Teams, or built-in tools like WestNet LMS's virtual classroom).

Blended Learning

Mix of online (eLearning) and in-person (ILT/VILT) training.

Blended learning combines self-paced online content with live instructor-led sessions, on-the-job activities, and assessments. A modern LMS sequences these together, tracks completion across formats, and reports unified results.

Microlearning

Short, focused lessons (typically 2–7 minutes).

Microlearning delivers training in short, focused units that target one objective at a time. It improves retention, fits into busy workflows, and works well on mobile. WestNet LMS supports microlearning paths, push notifications, and bite-sized assessments.

Gamification

Game mechanics (points, badges, leaderboards) applied to learning.

Gamification uses points, badges, levels, leaderboards, and challenges to motivate learners and increase engagement. Effective gamification ties rewards to meaningful learning outcomes — not just activity — to drive measurable behavior change.

LMS vs LXP

LMS = structured training; LXP = personalized discovery.

An LMS focuses on structured, assigned, and tracked training (compliance, onboarding, certifications). A Learning Experience Platform (LXP) emphasizes learner-driven discovery, personalized recommendations, and curated content from many sources. Modern platforms like WestNet LMS combine both — assigned training plus AI-driven recommendations and learner pathways.

Compliance Training

Training required to meet legal, regulatory, or policy rules.

Compliance training covers required topics such as OSHA safety, HIPAA, anti-harassment, cybersecurity, and industry-specific regulations. A compliance-ready LMS automates assignments, tracks expirations, issues certificates, and produces audit-ready reports.

AI Course Creation

Generate full courses, quizzes, and assessments from a prompt or document.

AI course creation uses generative AI to build course outlines, lesson content, narration, quizzes, and assessments from a topic prompt or source document (PDF, Word, video). It dramatically reduces authoring time and is included on every WestNet LMS plan.