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STARS Glossary

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This page provides a definition of STARS terms for Learners.

For more information and additional resources, visit the STARS Resources page. If you are having trouble and/or have questions, please submit a HelpSU ticket [Request Category = Administrative Applications, Request Type = STARS – Stanford Training & Registration System].

Term

Description

Characteristics

Class

The base learning element in STARS in which learners may enroll and participate. Also called “learning activities”, they are made up of one or more of the following components:

  • Sessions: Scheduled, instructor-led training that is conducted in a classroom or other physical meeting place

  • Web-based: Self-paced content that is delivered through the internet

  • Webcasts: Scheduled, instructor-led training that is conducted via the internet, such as Zoom

  • Tests: Delivered through the internet

  • Surveys: Delivered via the internet; for example, a post-class evaluation

  • Assignments: Examples include reading assignments, workbook exercises, etc.

  • A class may have a status of Enrolled, Planned, Waitlisted, Pending Approval, In-progress,
    Dropped, Not Completed or Completed

  • Learners enroll in classes, not in a course listing

Course Listing

Course Listings are specific topics of learning. All classes that belong to a given course catalog share the same:

  • Prerequisites

  • Equivalent courses

  • Keywords

  • Objectives

  • Learners can add courses to their Plan

  • Learners enroll in classes, not in course listings

Program

Programs consist of one or more sets of courses or other programs, whose completion may lead to the fulfillment of one or more learning objectives. STARS supports two types of programs:

  • Curriculum programs

  • Certification programs

  • Learners register for programs and must subsequently enroll in the associated classes

  • The program identifies the courses that are part of the learning path

  • Learners can then select the specific classes in which to enroll. This gives learners the flexibility to select the delivery methods and dates that work best for them

  • Learners complete a program after completing all required classes in the program

  • Learners can self-register or be registered by their manager or an administrator

  • Unlike classes, programs have no registration limits or waitlists

Certification

Type of program that has a fixed begin date and end date. Typically, they include tests that learners must pass to become certified for a set period of time. Certification programs are particularly useful when learners must acquire a certificate or license, or they must develop or become proficient in a particular skill or competency within a given timeframe.

  • Learners must complete a
    certification program within a set
    period of time after registering for the program or the program
    registration status will be marked “Not Completed”

Recertification

Type of program. It specifies the courses, programs, or both that a learner must complete to become recertified after a certification expires.

  • Registration process for a
    recertification is the same as for a certification.

Curriculum

Type of program. It specifies a recommended sequence of learning
classes designed to facilitate obtaining a coherent set of skills or knowledge. Learners can progress through classes at their own pace.

  • Learners may progress through
    classes at their own pace

  • Unlike certifications, completed
    curricula do not expire

Register

Learners register for a program.

  • Learners register for programs and must subsequently enroll in classes.

Enroll

Learners enroll in a class to reserve a seat for classroom session, or an online training course.

 

Launch

Learners launch the online training course after they enroll to complete the training.

 

Drop

Learners can drop the course after enrollment.

  • Refer to drop policies as they may apply for the course

Add to Plan

Bookmarks a class to view and enroll in the class later. Also, bookmarks a program to view and register for the program later.

  • Adding a class to plan does not
    enroll the learner in the class

  • Learners must explicitly enroll in
    classes in order to attend or launch the classes

Last Updated: 10/07/17