Virtual IT Labs Glossary

What is Tactile Learning? Tactile learning is both a learning style and an approach to learning and development. In both cases, it’s all about hands-on experience — specifically through touch. Also known as kinesthetic learning, tactile learning involves immersing oneself in training content to essentially ‘learn by doing.’ Tactile learning materials are developed with interactivity…

What is Digital Training? Digital training leverages digital learning systems to deliver virtual training content and experiences. Also known as online learning or e-learning, it provides learners with a high degree of flexibility, interactivity, and accessibility. Although digital learning content can be — and often is — consumed remotely, this is not strictly necessary.  Common…

What is Channel Learning? Channel learning employs several different technologies to develop learning experiences. Also known as omni channel learning, this methodology calls for using everything from virtual environments, interactive tools, remote learning, and even social media to provide a learning experience. However, channels are not used separately but as part of a cohesive experience…

What is Aesthetic Learning? Aesthetic learning is a learning style focusing on creativity, imagination, and innovation. An aesthetic learner appreciates these aspects of life, which often manifests in how they spend their time — and how they learn. This type of learner often processes information in a multi-sensory way, including auditory, visual, and even lectures….

What is the Learner Experience? It isn’t enough to simply provide training materials. You also need to deliver them in a way that’s compelling. To achieve this, you need to think about the learning experience, including: How the training begins — such as through a manager identifying a need or an employee seeking professional development. …

What is Cyber Security Awareness Training? Threat actors are getting smarter, and digital threats are growing more sophisticated. Although security technology has evolved in leaps and bounds, there’s one thing that remains constant: Employees are the weakest link in your cyber security chain. That’s why it’s crucial to mitigate the risk they pose to your…

What is Asynchronous Learning? Asynchronous learning, also known as self-paced training, is a learning model in which students engage with content at any time and from any location. While asynchronous classes may still have completion deadlines, submission deadlines, or recommended timeframes, they otherwise do not follow a set schedule. Asynchronous content may either be delivered…

What is Adaptive Learning?  If there is one thing that corporate training and customer education have in common with one another, it’s the need for personalization. Modern learners, whatever their position, expect an educational experience tailored to their needs and preferences. Unfortunately, this is easier said than done, particularly at scale. Enter adaptive learning. Instead…

What is a Cyber Attack Simulation Exercise? A cyber attack simulation exercise, also known as a cyber security simulation exercise, is a cybersecurity training strategy that involves mimicking a real-world cyber-attack. The exercise is itself a form of incident response simulation that specifically focuses on malicious actors or software. The goal is to develop a…

Skill validation is the process by which a business or institution evaluates an individual’s knowledge and competencies in a particular area of expertise. Also known as validated learning, the process is often — though not always — implemented as part of a larger learning and development initiative. Generally, the skill validation process focuses on one…

A digital adoption platform (DAP) is a software solution designed to facilitate more effective customer education, streamlining product adoption while also improving the overall user experience. Generally layered atop another application, website or platform, a digital adoption solution provides users with a guided walkthrough of the product’s key features and functionality.   In addition to helping…

Created in 2000 by the United States Department of Defense’s Advanced Distributed Learning Initiative, SCORM — shareable content object reference model — is a framework that standardizes the development, management, and design of virtual training and e-learning. Today, SCORM standards are widely regarded as the best way to ensure e-learning interoperability. Let’s discuss how they…

What Is a Software Training Platform? A software training platform, also known as a software training program or virtual training platform, is software designed to facilitate a company’s virtual training efforts. The platform can be used for either employee education or customer education, with many companies leveraging the same tool for both. As the name…

What is Product Education?  Product education — also known as customer education or product training — refers to everything you do to ensure your customers understand your software. That means more than simply knowing about the software’s features or how it works. A successful product education strategy also teaches customers about a product’s uses and…

What Are Live Sales Demos? A few decades ago, sales demos were face-to-face and typically relied on the sales rep visiting the lead’s home or office. Now, as digital products like Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platforms have become exceedingly popular, we can move sales demos into the digital world, too. A live sales demo involves a sales…

What is Sentiment Analysis? Sentiment analysis is an evolving field of study focusing on applying artificial intelligence (AI), natural language processing (NLP), data mining, and machine learning (ML) to gain a deeper understanding of the sentiment behind text. The most common use case is helping companies understand how customers or clients feel about products or…

What is Software Due Diligence? Software due diligence is a critical process of evaluating a technology company’s software during mergers and acquisitions, significant investments, or IPOs. This process focuses on software sold by the company, not all the software they use internally.  Much like other types of due diligence, this process involves a thorough review…

What is Employee Everboarding? Everboarding is an ongoing process that changes from a one-time onboarding workflow to one of continuous education. The goal of everboarding is to develop an experience where new hires can more easily integrate into a company’s operations, values, and culture over a more extended period.  You can think of it as…

What is Inclusive Learning? Inclusivity is a general practice of taking specific actions to make marginalized groups feel welcome in the workplace. One LinkedIn study found that inclusive teams are over 35% more productive than ones that do not prioritize inclusivity. While inclusion goes hand in hand with diversity, they aren’t synonymous. Diversity refers to…

What is Digital Fluency? Digital fluency describes the ability to use digital technologies effectively and efficiently in various aspects of life. In the workplace context, it refers to using available tools to enhance daily workflows and responsibilities. Digital literacy is often confused with fluency, but they aren’t exactly the same. Digital fluency encompasses a much…