Educational Terminology

Have you ever wondered what those words mean? You can find the definitions to some of those words here. I have tried to think of many of the common words teachers, schools, and other educational resources use. I hope you find this helpful. If you would like me to add an additional word, please fill out the Request Form at the bottom of this page.

A- B- C- D- E- F- G- H- I- J- K- L- M- N- O- P- Q- R- S- T- U- V- W- X- Y- Z

A

activity-a learning experience.

ADD-stands for Attention Deficit Disorder. It is a medical term used to describe students with difficulties of attention.

ADHD-stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. It is a medial term used to describe students with hyperactivity, attention difficulties, and impulsiveness.

anticipatory set-this is done before the lesson to activate prior knowledge.

artifact-a piece of work that is created by a student and put in his/her portfolio.

assessment-a way of measuring the progress of a student.

assignment-Work produced by students and used by instructors for purposes of interaction and also evaluation.

attention-the process when the learner focuses/concentrates on one aspect of the environment while avoiding others.

auditory-the process of hearing.

authentic assessment-a type of evaluation that requires a student to perform a task.

B

BD (Behavior Disorder)-A term used in special education to describe students who have an explained inability to learn, have problems relating to other children and adults, continually exhibit inappropriate behaviors or who have a tendency to develop physical symptoms or fears about personal and school problems.

benchmark-statement that provides a description of student knowledge expected at specific grades, ages, or developmental levels.

bibliography-a list of books, journal articles, etc. on a particular topic.

Bloom's taxonomy-There are six categories of cognitive objectives organized by complexity: Knowledge, Comprehension, Application, Analysis, Synthesis, Evaluation.

book report-a written summary of a book.

C

caring-taking serious attention to; devoting; protecting; having concern for.

cause and effect-a pattern showing the relationship between two actions.

CharacterPlus-education designed to develop character, compassion, ethics, and responsibility in students.

character traits-words used to describe an individual.

citizenship-the character of an individual viewed as a member of society.

closed constructed response-a type of question that requires the student to compose an answer rather than select an answer from a list of choices. There is only one right answer.

closure-bringing the lesson to an end, sum up the objectives.

cloze test-a student must fill in the blanks in a paragraph.

collaborative learning-when students work with others to achieve a specific goal, purpose, or outcome.

Common Assessment Framework-is a method for organizing the teaching/learning experiences of students by establishing subject outcomes and measuring the attainment of these with well defined performance criteria. Common Assessment Tasks (CATs) form the assessment program for each subject. The framework is a way of defining standards in terms of general outcomes which students should be able to do when they have completed a subject/topic.

conduct-behavior (manner of acting or conducting yourself).

Connector-a role for literature groups. This individual finds links to the text. It can be text to text, text to self, or text to world.

constructed response-a type of question that requires the student to compose an answer rather than select an answer from a list of choices. There are closed and open-ended constructed response questions.

content-The academic subject matter studied in an educational program or class.

cooperation-working well with others.

courage-a quality that shows bravery.

critical thinking-requires a student to apply, analyze, synthesize, and evaluate information.

cultural diversity-recognized that students come from different backgrounds (ethnic, geographic, religious, and economic).

curriculum-the content of instruction.

cursive-writing where the letters of a word are connected.

D

D.E.A.R.-stands for Drop Everything And Read.

differentiation-the process of developing teaching and learning styles and materials related to the different levels of pupil understanding and ability.

digital camera-A camera that captures the photo not on film, but in an electronic imaging sensor that takes the place of film.

disability-A physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, a record of such impairment, or a perception of such impairment. Examples of impairments: asthma, cancer, diabetes, hypertension, stutter, anxiety disorders, dyslexia, blindness or vision impairment, deafness or hearing impairment, and paralysis.

Discussion Director-a role for literature groups. This individual leads the discussion as well as asks 5 thick questions.

D.O.L.-stands for Daily Oral Language. Students correct mistakes in sentences.

drafting-also known as a rough draft or sloppy copy. It is the second stage of the writing process. This is when you put your thoughts and ideas on paper in a written form such as a story, essay, poem, etc.

E

editing-this is the fourth stage of the writing process. It is when the writer makes corrections in spelling, grammar/usage, capitalization, and punctuation.

ELL-stands for English Language Learner.

essay-a short, written work, centered on a specific topic.

expectations-a belief in what someone can do or accomplish.

experiment-tests to demonstrate or discover something.

G

genre-A type of literature that shares features or conventions.

gifted-used to describe a student who demonstrates a high level of ability.

goal-this is something that someone hopes to do or accomplish.

graphic organizer-visual frameworks that allow individuals to organize thoughts and/or ideas.

H

heterogeneous grouping-organizing students with different ability levels.

homework-work to be done outside of the classroom.

homogeneous grouping-organizing students with similar ability levels.

honesty-quality of being truthful.

honor roll-recognizes students who have done a good job. At our school, students who receive all As or Bs are on the honor roll.

I

IEP-The Individual Education Plan developed for each child eligible for special education, based on the child's unique needs, with parent participation, containing a statement of the child's present level of performance, educational needs, goals and measurable objectives. Is reviewed at least annually.

inclusion-special education students are included in the general education classroom setting.

Illustrator-a role for literature groups. This student draws a picture relating to the book.

integrity-honesty. It also means doing the right thing when no one else is looking.

Internet-A worldwide "network of networks" that allows participants in different electronic networks to share information, transfer files, access news, and communicate through electronic mail.

J

justify-to explain your thought, reason, or choice.

K

kinesthetic-hands-on.

knowledge-the understanding acquired after learning experiences.

KWL chart-Students identify what they know about a topic, what they want to know, and identify what they learned or would still like to learn.

L

learning-to acquire knowledge or skill in an area.

LD-stands for Learning Disability. This is a term in special education to describe a disorder in one of the basic psychological processes (listening, thinking, speaking, writing, spelling, etc).

learning contract-A form of individualized, active learning, in which the student proposes a course of study to satisfy an academic requirement and a teacher checks and approves the contract.

learning style-a mode of learning; an individual's preferred or best manner(s) in which to think, process information, and demonstrate learning.

Literary Luminary-a role for literature groups. This individual chooses 4 pieces of text to discuss with the group.

literature group-a reading experience that allows students to share their information and ideas related to a novel they are reading.

M

MAP-stands for Missouri Assessment Program.

mastery-great skillfulness and knowledge of some subject or activity.

mid-quarter-also known as a progress report. It is a report that shows the progress of your child. It is sent in the middle of each quarter.

mnemonics-technique used to help remember names or concepts.

module-A module is a series of theme-related questions that progress in difficulty and open-endedness; beginning with multiple choice questions, advancing to opened-ended constructed response questions, and ending with a performance event. Modules mirror the types of items contained on the MAP assessments and allow for a balanced classroom assessment.

multiple intelligences-Howard Gardner proposes that all humans are endowed with seven forms of intelligence: mathematical/logical, linguistic, musical, interpersonal, intrapersonal, spatial, and kinesthetic. Schools usually emphasize the linguistic and mathematical/logical intelligences.

N

newsletter-contains news or information related to a certain subject, group, or organization.

O

objective-desired outcomes.

open-ended constructed response-a type of question that requires the student to compose an answer rather than select an answer from a list of choices. There is more than one right answer.

P

patience-Ability or willingness to suppress restlessness or annoyance when confronted with delay; perseverance.

performance event-A performance event is �on demand� in that it is used for assessment purposes. It is a real-world, robust, problematic situation that monitors student progress towards the attainment of predetermined criteria. An event is completed in one sitting or class period. Think of an event as a quick snapshot of how a student is doing in relation to where he/she needs to be according to the desired outcome. It is scored using a scoring guide.

performance task-a real-world, highly robust problematic situation that requires students to use specified knowledge, skills, and processes in various content domains. It requires students to demonstrate the ability to integrate, extend, refine, and apply knowledge to situations that they are likely to confront in their own lives. Due to several concepts being assessed at the same time or within the same problem, the time needed for the task is usually several class periods. It is scored using a scoring guide.

planner-a book that students use to keep track of their assignments.

portfolio-a collection of student work.

PowerPoint-A program in the Microsoft Office suite which allows users to create presentations, and handouts. By creating PowerPoint "slides," users can add color, images, sounds, and movies to their text presentations.

prewriting-is the first stage of the writing process. It is when a writer gathers his/her thoughts before writing. This can be done by making a list, web, outline, etc.

prior knowledge-what an individual knows.

progress report-also known as a mid-quarter. It is a report that shows the progress of your child. It is sent in the middle of each quarter.

publishing-the final stage in the writing process. This is when the students put their writing into a final product.

R

reflection-Learner pauses to think about, and organize information gathered from reading, discussions, or other activities.

report card-The periodic evaluations of a student's academic progress, usually sent home to parents. At our school, you will receive 4 report cards.

research-looking for facts or information.

respect-to care or show consideration for.

response log-students write responses to what they have read.

responsibility-being accountable for one's own actions.

revising-this is the third stage of the writing process. It is when a writer adds/deletes information to improve their writing.

role sheet-these are the sheets that are completed for the literature groups. The roles include Discussion Director, Literary Luminary, Connector, Illustrator, and Vocabulary Enricher.

rubric-also known as a scoring guide. It is used as a set of guidelines for evaluating a student's work.

S

scanner-A device that converts a printed page or image into an digital representation that can be viewed and manipulated on a computer.

scope and sequence-A curriculum plan, usually in chart form, in which a range of instructional objectives, skills, etc., is organized according to the successive levels at which they are taught.

scoring guide-also known as a rubric. It is used as a set of guidelines for evaluating a student's work.

search engine-Any of a number of giant databases on the Internet which store data on Web sites and their corresponding URLs.

self-assessment-students reflect on their work or performance.

skill-an ability that has been acquired by training.

special education-Programs designed to serve children with mental and physical disabilities.

strategy-a plan of action.

standards-Statements of what students should know and be able to demonstrate.

student-centered learning-the students and their needs are the focus and the teacher becomes the facilitator among them. The students are active participants in the learning process.

supplementary materials/activities-materials and/or activities used to extend or strengthen the topic being covered.

T

technology-In education, a branch of knowledge based on the development and implementation of computers, software, and other technical tools, and the assessment and evaluation of students' educational outcomes resulting from their use of technology tools.

thick question-a question that requires more than a one or two word response. It causes a person to think.

thin question-a question that has a one or two word answer. It is usually a yes/no question or a recall of information.

Type to Learn-a software program that students use to learn and practice keyboarding skills.

V

visual learner-learns by sight, or seeing something being done.

Vocabulary Enricher-a role in literature groups. This individual locates four words to look up and find their definitions.

W

WebQuest-inquiry-oriented activity in which some or all of the information that learners interact with comes from information on the Internet.

website-A group of Web pages that have been developed together to present information on a specific subject(s).

Writer's Workshop-learning situation in which the teacher assits the students in developing their writing by learning the writing process and introducing different writing genres.

writing prompt-A writing prompt gives definition and direction to the assigned topic. It can be as simple as a general idea, or complex enough to define the position of the thesis as well as the supporting paragraph.

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These definitions came from a variety of sources including,
Glossary of Educational Termstarget="_blank" Glossary of Education Terms and Acronyms,
A Glossary of Gifted Education,
Glossary of Instructional Strategies,
Google.com,
Learning Circuits,
SuccessLink
and
Vocabulary University

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The author of this site, Ann Ryan, may be reached at ARyan@bayless.k12.mo.us.
This page was last updated November 19, 2006.