Colleges are Talking About Learning Terms, What are They?

What Do They Mean?

When my oldest started college, there were all sorts of terms that began floating in and out of our conversations that led me directly to Google. Years later, the new terminology keeps coming particularly now, with so many changes to how our college students are learning. There are quite a few words and phrases that have become commonplace that can be helpful to know especially as universities determine how classes will be delivered in the fall.

Besides, terms like FAFSA, which, after years of filling out, I still wish it would go away; there are other expressions that can help students find their best learning environment. However; first be sure you understand the difference between online vs remote learning, and any financial ramifications since they both seem to be creeping into our student’s lives faster than we could have foreseen. While both can be done from home, remote learning requires students to attend classes from home (or somewhere other than campus) via computer at a specific scheduled time. Think of how students’ classes were in the Spring when they were sent home to finish up the semester.

Online learning, also called e-learning, is more flexible as students can work remotely, but have to be more self-motivated to stay on top of their class requirements and assignments. Under that same umbrella are terms like Distance and Distributed Learning which are also online providing opportunities for students to enroll in credit courses and select degree programs through a variety of interactive technologies. Some colleges will charge a distance learning fee when taking online classes. You can read about those fees in our blog Auxiliary Fees for Classes.

Click on your school for more info:

Helpful Terms

• Advance organizer – is relevant introductory materials presented by a professor to provide students a framework or overview for the module content. It may come in the form of outlines, statements of objectives, pre-instructional questions, etc.
• Flex model of Blended Learning – Students work at their own pace while professors/teachers guide students and provide one-on-one or small group help when needed. One of the four models of blended learning, Rotation, Flex, A La Carte, BlendFlex, and Enriched Virtual, work well for students who are non-traditional learners. Students work independently and learn to develop and create new concepts in a digital environment.
• Flexible learning – online courses open to anyone. Admissions may not be required to earn academic credit, but credit will be granted when students complete the coursework.
• Screencasting – digitally recorded portions of lectures to provide an overview, describe procedures, demonstrate problem-solving, present concepts, focus attention, elaborate content, etc. These can be very useful to the student who prefers to be in a live classroom
• Online Synchronous learning – is an online classroom format where students learn together at the same time and can engage with classmates and instructors via chat rooms and video conferencing. Those meeting times should NOT be changing. Some courses will use all of the regular meeting times, some might just use some of them. But that’s the “synchronous” part—the class happens in real-time, with faculty and students participating together.
• Online, Asynchronous – This is a course that has NO specific time for students to be online. It does not mean that students can just work at their own pace. Indeed, these courses are often highly structured with daily and weekly assignments, responses, etc. but that there is no actual specific time when students need to be online with their instructor. Courses that are asynchronous can NOT require such a meeting time.

Not all of these forms of learning and methods are used at every college. Finding out which your college uses and which work best for you as a student can make all the difference. Pass on these great tips, tell your friends and like us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest. Find out more about how to use HaveUHeard as a great resource. Sign up for other great tips at haveuheard.com.