The official vocabulary of distance education and telecommuting

What is the difference between "distance learning" and "online learning"? What is the definition of “bimodal course”? The new version of the Distance Learning and Teleworking Vocabulary contains the answers.

Over the past year and a half, several new vocabulary words and expressions have appeared in our daily lives. Distance education and telecommuting are still part of the reality for many people and the situation will continue despite the relaxations. 

In this context, and in order to promote the use of terms in French, the Office québécois de la langue française (OQLF), in collaboration with the Translation Bureau (BT) of the Government of Canada, offers an enhanced version of the Distance education and telecommuting vocabulary. 

This online tool, which contains nearly 200 concepts, has been enhanced with many additional terms and clarifications have been added to the definitions of certain concepts already present in the first version. For each term, the terminology file contains a definition, synonyms and equivalents in English.

Thus, the terms “face-to-face” and “distance” that we hear more and more often appear in the official vocabulary as synonyms of the phrases “ in class "(Or in the presence) and" remote ". 

Reverse pedagogy: Pedagogical method in which learners see, independently, the material before attending the course given by the teacher.

“The additions relate in particular to the emergence of new realities linked to the organization of work or to new technologies. For example, there are now terms related to videoconferencing software, such as mosaic, screen sharing or subgroup room. Other terms have been added to reflect new ways of organizing work or teaching, such as a la carte office, co-work at home, remotely monitored examination or right to disconnect », Indicates Stéfany Ranger of the OQLF.

The OQLF and the BT present information differently on their respective websites, but the terminological choices made are the same in the vast majority of cases, in order to help standardize the terms used. "The files of the Large terminological dictionary which make up this vocabulary are continuously updated, according to the needs or the evolution of concepts. In addition, new files are constantly added, in many sectors of activity, in order to reflect the emergence of new realities, ”notes Ms. Ranger.

Although French is increasingly present in the digital world, the use of adequate terminology remains an issue. Several initiatives promoting the francization of terms related to technologies are emerging each year in Quebec. For example, as part of a project funded by the OQLF, the Réseau Action TI offers its members various tools and services to help technology companies promote French.