Education Glossary

The theory and practice of adult education, emphasizing self-directed learning, prior experience, and practical relevance. Developed by Malcolm Knowles.

The systematic process of gathering, analyzing, and interpreting evidence of student learning to inform instructional decisions and evaluate achievement.

A learning theory that focuses on observable behaviors and the ways they are shaped through reinforcement and punishment, associated with Skinner and Pavlov.

A hierarchical classification of cognitive learning objectives ranging from lower-order skills (Remember) to higher-order skills (Create).

A learning theory emphasizing internal mental processes such as memory, attention, perception, and problem-solving in the acquisition of knowledge.

A theory of learning in which individuals actively build understanding through experience, reflection, and social interaction rather than passively absorbing information.

An instructional approach in which students work together in small groups to achieve shared learning goals, fostering positive interdependence and individual accountability.

The planned and organized set of learning experiences, content standards, instructional materials, and assessments used to guide teaching within an educational program.

The process of ensuring that learning objectives, instructional activities, and assessments are coherently connected so that what is taught and tested matches the intended learning goals.

A teaching philosophy that adjusts content, process, product, and learning environment to address the diverse needs, readiness levels, and interests of individual students.

A learning approach in which knowledge is constructed through direct experience and reflection, following Kolb's cycle of experience, reflection, conceptualization, and experimentation.

Ongoing, low-stakes evaluation conducted during instruction to monitor student understanding, provide feedback, and guide instructional adjustments.

Carol Dweck's concept that intelligence and abilities are malleable and can be developed through effort, effective strategies, and persistence.

An educational approach ensuring all learners, including those with disabilities and diverse backgrounds, have equitable access to quality learning in shared settings.

The internal drive to engage in learning for its own sake, driven by curiosity, interest, and personal satisfaction rather than external rewards.

Awareness and understanding of one's own thought processes, including the ability to plan, monitor, and evaluate one's learning strategies.

Howard Gardner's theory proposing that intelligence encompasses multiple distinct capacities, including linguistic, logical-mathematical, spatial, musical, and interpersonal abilities.

The art, science, and practice of teaching, encompassing instructional methods, curriculum design, classroom management, and assessment strategies.

A scoring tool that defines criteria and performance levels for evaluating student work, providing transparency and consistency in assessment.

Temporary instructional support provided to help students achieve tasks beyond their current independent ability, gradually removed as competence develops.

The process of developing self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making to support academic and personal success.

An inquiry-based teaching approach that uses structured questioning to stimulate critical thinking, challenge assumptions, and guide students toward deeper understanding.

Evaluation administered at the conclusion of an instructional period to measure student achievement and determine the extent to which learning objectives have been met.

A framework for designing flexible curricula that provide multiple means of engagement, representation, and expression to support all learners.

Vygotsky's concept describing the range between what a learner can do independently and what they can accomplish with guidance from a more capable individual.