Glossary
Specialist terms and abbreviations used by BLX, explained clearly and concisely.
A
AI
Artificial Intelligence
Technologies that support tasks such as text analysis, recommendations or pattern recognition. In the BLX context, AI complements professionally defined processes; approval and accountability remain with people.
Source: BLX: Domain Map and Platform.
API
Application Programming Interface
A programming interface through which software systems exchange data and functions in a structured way.
Authoring tool
Tool for creating digital learning content
Software used to create digital learning content. An authoring tool typically supports text, media, interactions and delivery through learning standards.
Source: Wikipedia: Authoring system.
B
BITV 2.0
German Accessible Information Technology Ordinance 2.0
The German federal ordinance defining accessibility requirements for public-sector websites, apps and other digital services.
Source: Wikipedia (German): Accessible Information Technology Ordinance.
BLX Designer
Design and production layer of the BLX LXMS
The BLX LXMS workspace for structured digital learning design, from needs, audiences and learning objectives to storyboard, review and production handover.
Source: BLX: Solutions – Learning Design.
BLX Learning Companion
Context-aware support during the learning process
Context-aware support that interprets learner signals and suggests appropriate next steps.
C
CLT
Cognitive Load Theory
A theory of cognitive load in learning. It distinguishes types of load and supports decisions about how content should be structured and presented.
Source: Wikipedia: Cognitive load theory.
cmi5
Computer Managed Instruction, Generation 5
An xAPI profile for launching and tracking learning content in a structured way. cmi5 combines xAPI flexibility with rules for course structure, sessions and completion.
Source: BLX: xAPI, cmi5, LRS and LTI 1.3.
CMS
Content Management System
Software for creating, managing and publishing digital content in a structured way. TYPO3 is the CMS on which the BLX LXMS is built.
Source: Wikipedia: Content management system.
Content lifecycle
Lifecycle of digital learning content
The complete journey of learning content from analysis and design through production, review and publication to maintenance, evaluation and retirement.
D
Digital learning content
Version-controlled learning content
Learning content delivered digitally and managed as a versioned unit, with defined audiences, learning objectives, activities and delivery channels.
Source: BLX: What makes the LXMS different.
Digital learning operations
Ongoing delivery and support for digital learning
The ongoing, organised delivery, monitoring and maintenance of digital learning, including hosting, updates, support, privacy and continuous development.
Source: BLX: Operating models for the LXMS.
Digital sovereignty
Independent control over systems, data and standards
An organisation’s ability to make independent decisions about systems, data, standards and vendor dependencies.
Source: Wikipedia: Digital sovereignty.
G
GDPR
General Data Protection Regulation
The European Union’s data protection regulation. It governs, among other things, lawful processing of personal data and the rights of data subjects.
H
H5P
Interactive content layer in the LXMS
An open format and toolset for interactive web content such as quizzes, interactive videos, presentations and branching scenarios.
I
IAM
Identity and Access Management
Processes and systems for managing digital identities and their roles, permissions and access.
Source: Wikipedia: Identity management.
L
Learning Analytics
Data-informed analysis of learning processes
The data-informed analysis of learning activity to reveal patterns of use, learning journeys and opportunities to improve learning content.
Source: BLX: Analytics and quality.
Learning Design
Systematic design of digital learning
The systematic design of learning experiences based on audience needs, learning objectives, activities and measurable outcomes.
Source: BLX: Learning Design.
Learning Experience
How learners experience digital learning
How learners experience digital learning, including its clarity, interaction, orientation, motivation and support.
Source: BLX: Managing digital learning.
Legacy Content Operations
Controlled operation of existing learning content
The controlled continued operation of existing learning content. Assets are inventoried, versioned, patched, translated, reviewed and gradually migrated or replaced.
Source: BLX: Legacy Content Operations.
LMS
Learning Management System
A platform for organising courses, participants, assignments, learning status and certificates.
Source: BLX: xAPI, cmi5, LRS and LTI 1.3.
LRS
Learning Record Store
A data store for xAPI statements. It receives standardised learning events and makes them available for analysis and reporting.
Source: BLX: xAPI, cmi5, LRS and LTI 1.3.
LTI 1.3
Learning Tools Interoperability 1.3
A standard for securely integrating external learning tools and content into learning platforms, including sign-in and context transfer.
Source: BLX: xAPI, cmi5, LRS and LTI 1.3.
LXMS
Learning Experience Management System
A platform for the complete digital-learning lifecycle, from design and production through review, versioning and translation to delivery and analysis.
Source: BLX: Domain Map and Platform.
O
Open source
Software with openly accessible source code
Software whose source code can be inspected, used and developed under an open licence. The exact rights depend on the applicable licence.
Source: Wikipedia: Open source.
R
Review workflow
Controlled review and approval process
A controlled review and approval process with roles, statuses, feedback and traceable decisions.
ROI
Return on Investment
A financial metric that relates the benefit generated by an investment to its cost.
Source: Wikipedia: Return on investment.
S
SCORM
Sharable Content Object Reference Model
A family of established standards for packaging, delivering and tracking basic progress of e-learning content in an LMS.
Source: BLX: SCORM is package-based.
SLA
Service Level Agreement
A binding agreement on measurable service characteristics such as availability, response times or support hours.
Source: Wikipedia: Service-level agreement.
SSO
Single Sign-on
An authentication method in which one central sign-in provides access to multiple connected applications.
Source: Wikipedia: Single sign-on.
Storyboard
Detailed production blueprint for digital learning
A detailed subject-matter and instructional blueprint for creating digital learning content, including media, interactions and implementation guidance.
T
TYPO3
Open-source enterprise content management system
An open-source enterprise content management system. In the BLX LXMS, TYPO3 provides the foundation for content, permissions, workflows, multilingual delivery and extensions.
U
UbD
Understanding by Design
A backward-design approach: desired learning outcomes and suitable evidence are defined first, followed by activities and content.
Source: Wikipedia: Understanding by Design.
V
Vendor lock-in
Dependency that makes switching providers difficult
Dependency on a provider that makes switching difficult because of proprietary formats, interfaces, licences or operating models.
Source: Wikipedia: Vendor lock-in.
Versioning
Traceable management of content versions
The traceable management of different states of learning content so that changes can be reviewed, approved and tracked.
Source: BLX: Managing digital learning.
X
xAPI
Experience API
A standard for describing and transmitting learning and usage events as statements. These statements are typically stored in an LRS.
Source: BLX: xAPI, cmi5, LRS and LTI 1.3.