Glossary of Selected Terms

• Activity: A planned educational experience in which a learner is enrolled and for which continuing education credit is awarded. May be termed a course, seminar, workshop, lectures, home study program, etc.
• Continuing Education: Planned learning experiences which maintain and enhance the technical, business and personal proficiencies of ophthalmic dispensers to deliver quality services to consumers, the public and the profession in a competent manner.
• Course: A planned educational activity that focuses on one specific subject. A series of courses is defined as a program.
• Evaluation: A process of determining whether a program meets certain criteria and/or expectations.
• Learning Outcomes: Brief statements that define what a learner should be able to know or do as a result of a course or program.
• Need: A gap between one's current level and one's desired level of knowledge or skill.
• Needs Assessment: A process by which the needs of a potential audience are identified. Information gathered during the process helps determine the content for the program and insures the needs of the audience will be addressed.
• Participant: An individual enrolled in a continuing education course or program for the purpose of learning. Also defined as "attendee."
• Program: A series of educational courses which may or may not be closely related. Generallyinvolves multiple speakers and topics. Usually offered within a certain time period such as a three-day conference.
• Successful Completion: Having met the established requirements in order to receive credit for a course or program.
• Course: A planned educational activity that focuses on one specific subject. A series of courses is called a program.
• Delivery: The method by which program content is presented or taught by the presenter.
• Evaluation: A process of examining whether a program meets certain expectations.
• In-house courses: Courses sponsored by an organization with participation limited to its own employees or members.
• Learning outcomes: Brief statements that define what a learner should know or be able to do as a result of a program.
• Manufacturer's or vendor's courses: Courses presented by ophthalmic manufacturers or vendors which may be offered either to their employees or to ophthalmic dispensers who are not part of their organization.
• Need: A gap between one's current and one's desired level of knowledge.
• Needs Assessment: A process by which the needs of a potential audience are identified.
• Participant: An individual enrolled in a continuing education program for the purpose of learning. Also defined as a "learner."
• Proficiencies: Knowledge, skills and attitudes that provide the potential for an individual to perform in a competent manner. Also known as "competencies".