Education Glossary

Assessment: The process of gathering and analyzing data to evaluate a learner’s knowledge, skills, and understanding of a subject or concept.

Asynchronous Learning: A learning method where students access educational materials and complete coursework at their own pace, rather than participating in real-time interactions.

Blended Learning: A combination of traditional face-to-face classroom instruction and online learning activities.

Bloom’s Taxonomy: A classification system for learning objectives that categorizes them into six cognitive domains: knowledge, comprehension, application, analysis, synthesis, and evaluation.

Curriculum: A planned sequence of lessons, courses, or units that cover specific subject matter and learning objectives.

Differentiated Instruction: An approach to teaching that addresses individual learning styles, needs, and abilities by offering multiple options for accessing and engaging with content.

Distance Learning: A method of education that allows students to learn remotely, often through online platforms.

E-Learning: Electronic learning, or education that is conducted via electronic devices, typically online.

Experiential Learning: A hands-on approach to learning that emphasizes real-world experiences, problem-solving, and reflection.

Flipped Classroom: A teaching model where students review lesson content at home, then engage in collaborative activities and discussions in class.

Formative Assessment: An ongoing evaluation process that provides feedback to both students and educators to improve learning outcomes.

Gamification: The application of game-like elements to non-game contexts, such as education, to improve engagement and motivation.

Group Work: A teaching strategy that encourages students to work collaboratively on projects, problem-solving, or discussions.

Higher-Order Thinking Skills (HOTS): Cognitive skills that involve complex thinking processes such as analysis, synthesis, and evaluation.

Inclusive Education: An educational approach that ensures all students, regardless of their abilities or backgrounds, have equal access to learning opportunities.

Individualized Education Plan (IEP): A customized plan designed to address the specific needs of a student with disabilities.

Inquiry-Based Learning: A teaching method that encourages students to ask questions, explore, and discover knowledge through their own investigations.

Instructional Design: The systematic process of creating, planning, and delivering educational materials and experiences.

Interdisciplinary Learning: An approach to education that integrates multiple subject areas to encourage connections and deeper understanding.

Learning Disabilities: Neurologically-based processing difficulties that may affect a person’s ability to read, write, or perform mathematical calculations.

Learning Objectives: Clear, measurable goals for what a student should know or be able to do after completing a lesson or course.

Learning Styles: Different ways in which individuals prefer to process and retain information, such as visual, auditory, or kinesthetic.

Mastery Learning: An instructional approach that focuses on students achieving a deep understanding of a subject before moving on to the next topic.

Metacognition: The ability to think about one’s own thinking, and to monitor and regulate one’s own learning processes.

Multiple Intelligences: A theory that suggests there are multiple types of intelligence, such as linguistic, logical-mathematical, and spatial.

Online Learning: Education that is delivered through internet-based platforms, allowing students to learn remotely.

Peer Assessment: A learning strategy where students evaluate each other’s work, providing feedback and promoting self-reflection.

Performance-Based Assessment: An evaluation method that measures student’s ability to apply knowledge and skills through authentic tasks or projects.

Personalized Learning: An educational approach that tailors instruction and learning experiences to meet the individual needs, preferences, and goals of each student.

Plagiarism: The act of presenting someone else’s work, ideas, or words as one’s own without proper attribution or citation.

Problem-Based Learning (PBL): A teaching method that presents students with real-world problems to solve, encouraging critical thinking and collaboration.

Professional Development (PD): Ongoing learning opportunities for educators to enhance their knowledge, skills, and practices.

Project-Based Learning (PBL): An instructional approach that engages students in extended, inquiry-based projects to explore and learn about complex issues or concepts.

Rubric: A set of criteria used to evaluate and grade student work, often including specific performance levels and descriptions.

Scaffolding: The process of providing temporary support to help students learn new concepts or skills, which is gradually removed as they become more independent.

Self-Assessment: A learning strategy in which students evaluate their own work, reflect on their progress, and identify areas for improvement.

Standardized Test: An assessment that is administered and scored uniformly to measure the performance of students against established learning standards.

STEM: An acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, representing a group of related disciplines that emphasize critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Student-Centered Learning: An educational approach that prioritizes the needs, interests, and goals of individual students and emphasizes active participation in the learning process.

Summative Assessment: An evaluation method that measures student learning at the end of a unit or course, often used to assign grades or determine progress toward learning objectives.

Synchronous Learning: A learning method where students and instructors engage in real-time interactions, either in person or through digital platforms.

Teacher-Centered Learning: An educational approach that focuses on the teacher’s role as the primary source of knowledge and authority, with students primarily receiving and absorbing information.

Universal Design for Learning (UDL): A framework for designing educational materials and experiences that are accessible and engaging for all learners, regardless of their abilities or backgrounds.

VARK Model: A learning preference model that categorizes individuals based on their preferred mode of learning: Visual, Auditory, Read/Write, or Kinesthetic.

Virtual Classroom: An online learning environment that simulates a traditional classroom, often featuring real-time communication, multimedia content, and interactive tools.

Webinar: A web-based seminar, workshop, or presentation that is delivered through a video conferencing platform and allows for real-time interaction.

Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD): A concept introduced by psychologist Lev Vygotsky that refers to the gap between what a learner can do independently and what they can do with guidance or support.

21st Century Skills: A set of skills deemed essential for success in today’s world, including critical thinking, collaboration, communication, creativity, and digital literacy.

Academic Integrity: The ethical principles that govern the behavior of students and educators, promoting honesty, trust, and fairness in the learning environment.

Active Learning: A teaching approach that engages students in the learning process through activities, discussions, or problem-solving, rather than passive listening or reading.