Glossary

 

Achievement

Granted when learners reach specific learning milestones. Achievements have the following attributes:

• They are represented by a unique visual element

• They reward you with Experience Points (XP)

• You can view them in the Dashboard.

Activities (Learning activities)

Activities are units of learning content that teach you a particular topic. In Google Skills, learning activities range from large units to smaller ones, with each large unit composed of the next smallest unit.

The hierarchy of learning activities is as follows:

• Paths: contain courses

• Courses: contain labs and lessons

• Labs: interactive learning experiences where you complete a use case in the Google Cloud console. Labs include self-paced labs, which provide step-by-step instructions, and challenge labs, where you solve a problem using minimal guidance.

• Lessons: the smallest units in the hierarchy

Badge (Skills badge)

Digital credential issued by Google Cloud in recognition of your hands-on abilities with Google Cloud products. You earn a skill badge when you successfully complete a challenge lab 

Catalog

Page showing all learning activities available on the platform. View Catalog.

Category

Areas of knowledge or field of study around which you can build skills. Use Categories to narrow available paths on the Paths page by engaging with filters, such as: AI/ML, Data, Security, and more.

Classroom (Instructor led)

A Classroom is also known as Instructor-led training (ILT). Attend this training to participate in an in-person, hands-on learning experience that a Google expert delivers.

Collection

Similar to music playlists, a collection is a group of learning activities curated by different teams at Google. A collection can include paths or courses.

Course

A single unit that contains a series of learning activities designed to be consumed consumed in their entirety. The components of a course include the following activities:

• Lessons: These units include Knowledge checks or Labs.
• Labs: These are hands-on, interactive learning experiences where you complete a real-world use case in the Google Cloud console.

Credentials

Earn credentials as proof that you completed training and demonstrated knowledge or skills. These industry-recognized concepts are awarded when you complete the requirements. Google Skills includes the following types of credentials:

• Certificates
• Skill badges
• Certifications

Dashboard

Use the Dashboard page to view an overview of your ongoing activities. This is the central location where you continue learning, track your progress, and stay motivated.

Duration

The approximate amount of time you need to complete a learning activity]. Labs include a time limit that shows how long the Google Cloud Platform compute resources are available for you to use.

Experience Points (XP)

You earn Experience Points (XP) as digital rewards when you complete a learning activity. The points are granted linearly based on the complexity and depth of the learning activity. Track XP in the Dashboard.

Format

Use this filter in the Catalog to narrow your results by the type of learning activity: Path, Course, or Lab.

Knowledge check (Quiz)

A brief, formative assessment that courses use. You usually take this assessment at the end of a lesson.
Knowledge checks are also known as a quiz.

Lab

A lab is an experience that provides you with an opportunity to practice a skill in a realistic environment. In Google Skills, labs allow you to use Google Cloud Platform for a short period of time to practice a task or skill. These interactive learning experiences require you to complete a real-world use case in the Google Cloud console within a specified time limit. Labs can be standalone units of learning, or they can exist as part of a Course or Path.

Challenge labs
A challenge lab is a type of hands-on lab that requires you to build solutions using minimal guidance rather than prescriptive steps. These labs serve as a practical skills assessment available on Google Skills. They function as the summative assessment for courses that grant skill badges.

League

Leagues are virtual groups of learners who compete to climb up or down the ranking based on learning activity.  You earn Experience Points (XP) by consuming and completing learning activities, which determine your rank in a league.

The league competition includes four levels:
• Bronze
• Silver
• Gold
• Diamond

Promotions and demotions occur weekly, depending on your ranking within your league's leaderboard.

Leaderboard

A leaderboard is a linear ranking or position among learners. It connects you with other learners through your organization or existing networks. Leaderboards have the following characteristics:

• The rankings reset weekly
• Are available only for Organizations
• You compete on leaderboards to climb or fall in the ranking system, which is based on your learning activity within designated Leagues

Lesson

A Lesson is the smallest unit of learning content or learning activity. Lessons are contained within a Course.
Lessons can include the following content modalities:

• Videos
• Reading materials
• Interactive exercises

Note: Lessons within a course include Knowledge checks or Labs

Level

A Level indicates the range of complexity or expertise required for a given learning activity. Use the Level filter in the Catalog  to narrow your results on the page. Levels include:

• Introductory
• Intermediate
• Advanced

On demand

Access on-demand content to consume and interact with learning activities independently. This type of learning does not require the guidance of an instructor. This learning modality contrasts with a Classroom experience, where activities are led by a Google expert.

Path

A Path groups learning activities designed to build deep skills in a particular area. Paths function as the largest units in the learning activities hierarchy

The characteristics of a Path include:
• Content structure: paths contain courses. These courses are further composed of lessons and labs.
• Goal: use Paths to build deep skills in a specific subject area.
• Viewing: view available Paths on the Paths page.

Progress

Breakdown of how much time a learner has spent on each type of learning activity. Progress can also refer to the percentage of completion within a learning activity. e.g. 50% complete. View Progress.

Streak

A consecutive period of time during which you engage with the platform and complete learning activities. This feature helps you track your progress and stay motivated. View your streaks in the Dashboard.

Subscriptions

Use a Subscription to gain access to the platform’s learning content. Subscription pricing varies to allow different types of learners to find the correct access and content necessary for engagement. View available Subscriptions. to find the right plan for your learning needs.