Education Terms
Glossary
Learn About All Common Terms Used by Educators and Teachers in One Place
Teachng Education and Academic Glossary
Education related terms can seem like a unique language, on this page you will find some commonly used education terms, along with friendly definitions we could find or create.
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
21st Century Skills: A set of abilities that students need to develop to succeed in the information age.
A
Achievement Gap: The disparity in academic performance between groups of students.
Active Learning: Learning by engaging directly in the process through activities.
Active Listening: A communication technique involving fully concentrating, understanding, responding, and remembering what is being said.
Adaptive Learning: Technology that adjusts the content to the learner’s needs.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): A civil rights law that prohibits discrimination based on disability.
Attention Deficit Disorder/Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): Neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by problems with focus, hyperactivity, or impulsive behavior.
Advanced Placement (AP): College-level courses and exams offered in high school. Successful scores on AP exams can earn students college credit.
Analytical Thinking: The ability to examine information or situations in a systematic and logical manner.
Antiracist Education: Educational practices aimed at identifying, challenging, and eliminating racism in schools and society.
Aptitude Test: An exam used to determine an individual’s skill or propensity to succeed in a certain task.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Education: The use of AI technologies to enhance teaching and learning experiences.
Arts Integration: Incorporating the arts (such as music, visual arts, drama) into other academic subjects to enhance learning.
Assessment: The process of evaluating a student’s learning.
Assistive Technology: Devices and software designed to help students with disabilities.
Asynchronous Learning: Learning that occurs without real-time interaction between instructors and students.
Authentic Assessment: Assessment tasks that demonstrate real-world applications of knowledge and skills.
B
Backward Design: A curriculum planning approach where educators start with the desired outcomes and then work backward to develop lessons and assessments.
Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP): A plan to address problem behaviors and improve behavior in students.
Behavioral Objective: A clear, specific statement describing what a learner will be able to do after instruction.
Behaviorism: A theory of learning which states all behaviors are acquired through conditioning.
Benchmarks: Standards or points of reference for measuring performance.
Big Data in Education: The analysis of large volumes of educational data to improve teaching and learning outcomes.
Biofeedback: Using technology to provide real-time information about physiological processes (like heart rate or brain waves) to help individuals learn to control these processes.
Blended Learning: A mix of traditional classroom and online learning.
Bloom’s Taxonomy: A classification system for learning objectives.
Brain-Based Learning: Educational strategies based on principles of neuroscience and how the brain learns.
Brainstorming: A group activity to generate ideas.
C
Classroom Management: Techniques used to maintain a healthy learning environment.
Co-Teaching: Collaborative teaching between a general education teacher and a special education teacher.
Cognitive Development: The growth of thinking, understanding, and problem-solving skills in children and adolescents.
Cognitive Load: The mental effort required to process information.
Competency-Based Education (CBE): A system where students advance based on their ability to demonstrate competency in a subject.
Cooperative Education (Co-op): A structured method of combining classroom-based education with practical work experience.
Cooperative Learning: An instructional method where students work together in small groups.
Critical Pedagogy: An educational philosophy that emphasizes critical thinking and social justice, challenging oppressive systems and promoting empowerment.
Critical Thinking: Analyzing facts to form a judgment.
Cultural Capital: The cultural knowledge and experiences that enable social mobility and success in educational and professional contexts.
Culturally Responsive Teaching: Teaching that acknowledges and respects students’ cultural backgrounds.
Curriculum: The subjects comprising a course of study.
D
Data-Driven Instruction: Using student data to inform instructional decisions.
Decolonizing Education: Efforts to challenge and dismantle colonial ideologies and practices within educational systems.
Diagnostic Assessment: A test to determine a student’s skills and knowledge before instruction.
Differentiated Instruction: Tailoring education to meet individual needs.
Differentiation: Adapting teaching methods to meet individual student needs.
Digital Citizenship: The responsible use of technology and online resources.
Digital Literacy: The ability to find, evaluate, and utilize information through digital technology.
Distance Education: A way of providing education through means other than the traditional classroom.
Distance Learning: Learning that takes place remotely, often online.
Distributed Practice: A learning strategy where practice sessions are spaced out over time to enhance retention.
Dual Enrollment: High school students taking college courses for credit.
Dual Language Education: A program where students are taught academic content in two languages.
E
E-Learning: Learning conducted via electronic media, typically on the internet.
E-Learning Platform: Software or online platform used to deliver educational content and facilitate learning activities.
Eco-Literacy: Understanding the principles of ecology and the relationships between organisms and their environments.
Educational Equity: Providing every student with the resources and support they need to succeed.
English Language Learner (ELL): A student who is learning English in addition to their native language.
Educational Technology (EdTech): The use of technology in educational settings.
Emotional Intelligence (EQ): The ability to recognize and manage one’s own emotions and the emotions of others.
Epistemic Beliefs: Personal beliefs about the nature of knowledge, how it is acquired, and the certainty of knowledge claims.
Ethical Dilemma: A situation involving conflicting moral principles.
Executive Functioning: Cognitive processes like planning, organization, and self-control.
Experiential Learning: Learning through reflection on doing.
Explicit Instruction: Teaching that is direct, structured, and clear.
F
Feedback Loop: A process in which the effects of an action are returned as input.
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA): A federal law that protects the privacy of student education records.
Fidelity of Implementation: The degree to which an intervention or program is delivered as intended.
Flexible Grouping: Grouping students according to their needs for particular skills.
Flipped Classroom: A teaching method where students study new content at home and practice it in class.
Fluency: The ability to read with speed, accuracy, and proper expression.
Fluency Instruction: Strategies used to improve reading fluency in students.
Folksonomy: A user-generated system of classification and organization of information, often used in online environments.
Formative Assessment: A range of formal and informal assessments conducted during the learning process.
Formative Feedback: Feedback provided during the learning process to guide improvement.
Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE): Educational rights of children with disabilities in the U.S.
Funds of Knowledge: The culturally and linguistically diverse knowledge and skills that students and their families bring to the learning environment.
G
Gamification: Using game elements in non-game settings to increase engagement.
Genetic Epistemology: Jean Piaget’s theory on how knowledge develops.
Gifted and Talented Education (GATE): Programs and strategies designed to meet the educational needs of gifted students.
Gifted Education: Programs designed to address the needs of students with exceptional abilities.
Global Citizenship Education: Education aimed at fostering knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to contribute responsibly to a globalized world.
Global Competence: The ability to understand global issues, collaborate with diverse individuals, and take responsible action as a global citizen.
Global Education: Education that promotes understanding and appreciation of cultural diversity and global issues.
Grit: Perseverance and passion for long-term goals, especially in the face of challenges and setbacks.
Guided Practice: Teacher-led activities that reinforce learning.
Grade Point Average (GPA): A measure of a student’s academic achievement at a college or university, calculated on a numerical scale.
H
Harkness Method: A student-led discussion format where participants sit in a circle and engage in open dialogue without the teacher directing the conversation.
Heutagogy: A learning theory that emphasizes self-determined learning and personal autonomy.
Higher-Order Thinking Skills (HOTS): Skills that involve analysis, evaluation, and creation.
Holistic Assessment: Assessment that considers multiple aspects of student performance.
Homebound Instruction: Educational services provided to students who are unable to attend school due to illness or injury.
Homeschooling: Education of children at home by their parents.
Hybrid Course: A course that combines online and face-to-face instruction in a structured manner.
Hybrid Learning: A combination of in-person and online learning.
I
Immersive Learning: Learning experiences that fully engage and involve learners through realistic or simulated environments.
Inclusive Classroom: A learning environment where students of all abilities learn together with appropriate supports.
Inclusive Education: An education system that works to ensure all students are welcomed and supported.
Individualized Education Plan (IEP): A plan developed for a U.S. public school child who needs special education.
Individualized Learning Plan (ILP): A personalized roadmap for a student’s academic and personal growth.
International Baccalaureate (IB): An internationally recognized program offering high-quality educational programs to a worldwide community of schools.
Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE): An evaluation conducted by a qualified examiner who is not employed by the school district responsible for the education of the child.
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA): A federal law that requires schools to provide special education and related services to eligible students with disabilities.
Inquiry Cycle: A structured approach to investigating questions and problems.
Inquiry-Based Learning: A form of active learning that starts by posing questions.
Instructional Coach: A teacher leader who supports colleagues in improving their teaching practices.
Instructional Design: The practice of designing educational experiences and materials.
Intercultural Competence: The ability to communicate effectively and appropriately with people from different cultures.
J
Jigsaw Classroom: A cooperative learning technique where students work in small groups to become “experts” on different topics and then share their knowledge with their peers.
Job-Embedded Learning: Professional development that is directly tied to teachers’ work in their schools.
Journal Article: A published academic paper reporting original research or reviews of research in a specific discipline.
Journaling: Writing regularly to reflect on learning experiences and personal growth.
K
Kinesthetic Learning: Learning through physical activities rather than listening to a lecture or watching demonstrations.
Knowledge Construction: The process of building understanding and meaning from new information and experiences.
Knowledge Economy: An economic system based on the production, distribution, and use of knowledge and information.
Knowledge Transfer: Applying knowledge and skills learned in one context to another context.
L
Language Acquisition: The process of learning a language, especially as it relates to children.
Lateral Thinking: Thinking creatively to generate innovative solutions by exploring multiple perspectives and possibilities.
Learning Analytics: The measurement, collection, analysis, and reporting of data about learners and their contexts for the purpose of understanding and optimizing learning and the environments in which it occurs.
Learning Environment: Physical and psychological surroundings that affect learning outcomes.
Learning Management System (LMS): Software for delivering, tracking, and managing training/education.
Learning Styles: The various approaches or ways of learning.
Liminal Space: A transitional state where learning and transformation occur, often characterized by uncertainty and discomfort.
Literacy: The ability to read and write.
Ludic Learning: Learning through play and games, integrating game elements into educational activities.
M
Maker Education: Learning through hands-on creation, exploration, and invention, often involving technology and DIY projects.
Mastery Learning: An approach where students must achieve a level of mastery in prerequisite knowledge before moving forward.
Mentoring: Guidance provided by a more experienced person.
Metacognition: Awareness and understanding of one’s own thought processes.
Metaverse: A virtual reality space where users can interact with a computer-generated environment and other users.
Microcredential: A small unit of education or training that certifies the acquisition of a specific skill or set of skills.
Microlearning: Learning in small, focused segments.
Montessori Method: An educational approach based on the child’s natural learning process.
Motivation: The reasons one has for acting or behaving in a particular way.
Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS): A framework designed to provide targeted support to struggling students. It includes tiers of interventions increasing in intensity.
Multicultural Education: Teaching and learning that incorporates the perspectives, experiences, and contributions of diverse cultural groups.
N
Neurodiversity: The idea that neurological differences should be recognized and respected.
Neuroeducation: The study of how principles of neuroscience can inform educational practices and policies.
Neuroplasticity: The brain’s ability to reorganize and adapt by forming new neural connections in response to learning or experience.
No Child Left Behind (NCBL): A U.S. Act of Congress that reauthorized the Elementary and Secondary Education Act; it included Title I provisions applying to disadvantaged students.
Nominal Group Technique: A structured brainstorming technique where participants generate ideas individually and then prioritize them as a group.
Norm-Referenced Tests: Tests that compare a student’s performance against a group.
O
Ocean Literacy: Understanding the ocean’s influence on you and your influence on the ocean.
Online Learning: Education that takes place over the Internet.
Ontology: The branch of metaphysics dealing with the nature of being and reality, often applied to how knowledge is structured and categorized.
Open Educational Resources (OER): Teaching, learning, and research resources that reside in the public domain or have been released under an intellectual property license that permits their free use and re-purposing by others.
Optimal Learning Environment: Conditions that maximize student engagement and learning outcomes.
Outcome-Based Education: An educational theory that bases each part of an educational system around goals (outcomes).
Outdoor Education: Learning experiences that take place in outdoor settings to enhance academic, personal, and social development.
P
Pedagogy: The art or science of teaching.
Peer Assessment: The process of students providing feedback on the work of their peers.
Peer Tutoring: A method of instruction where students tutor other students.
Personal Learning Network (PLN): A network of people and resources that support ongoing learning and professional development.
Personalized Learning: Tailoring instruction to meet the individual needs and interests of students.
Place-Based Education: Learning that uses the local community and environment as a starting point for curriculum and instruction.
Play-Based Learning: Learning that occurs through play activities that are fun, engaging, and developmentally appropriate.
Praxis: The practical application of theory, especially as it relates to education and social change.
Problem-Based Learning (PBL): Learning that starts with a problem or question to be solved.
Professional Learning Community (PLC): A group of educators that meets regularly, shares expertise, and works collaboratively to improve teaching skills and the academic performance of students.
Professional Development: Training for teachers to improve their skills.
Project-Based Learning (PBL): A teaching method in which students learn by actively engaging in real-world projects.
Q
Qualitative Data: Non-numerical information that describes qualities.
Quality Assurance in Education: Processes and systems designed to maintain and improve the quality of educational programs and services.
Quantitative Data: Numerical information that measures quantities.
Quantitative Literacy: The ability to understand and apply numerical information in real-world contexts.
Quantum Learning: Applying principles from quantum theory to enhance learning, focusing on non-linear and holistic approaches.
R
Reciprocal Teaching: A strategy where students take turns leading discussions about the meaning of a text.
Reflective Practice: Thoughtfully considering one’s own experiences to improve teaching or learning.
Remedial Education: Additional instruction designed to help students catch up to grade level in specific subjects.
Remote Learning: Learning that takes place away from the physical school setting.
Response to Instruction and Intervention (RTI²): A process to provide early support to students who are struggling academically or behaviorally.
Response to Intervention (RTI): A multi-tier approach to the early identification and support of students with learning and behavior needs.
Restorative Justice: A disciplinary approach that focuses on repairing harm caused by conflict rather than solely punishing offenders.
Rigor: The quality of instruction that challenges students’ thinking and demands deep engagement and high-level cognitive processes.
Rubric: A scoring guide used to evaluate performance.
S
Scaffolding: A teaching method that helps students learn more by building on what they already know.
School Climate: The quality and character of school life, including relationships, norms, and values.
Self-Directed Learning: Learning in which the individual takes the initiative and responsibility for their learning.
Social Justice Education: Education that promotes equity, diversity, inclusion, and fairness in society and schools.
Social Learning Theory: A theory that emphasizes the importance of observing, imitating, and modeling behaviors.
Student Learning Outcome (SLO): Specific, measurable goals that students are expected to achieve as a result of instruction.
Social-Emotional Learning (SEL): The process of developing social and emotional skills necessary for success in school and life.
Spatial Intelligence: The ability to visualize and manipulate objects in space, often associated with STEM fields and design.
Standardized Test: A test that is administered and scored in a consistent manner.
STEM Education: Education in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
STEAM Education: An educational approach that integrates these five disciplines; Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics.
Student Engagement: The degree of attention, curiosity, interest, optimism, and passion that students show when they are learning or being taught.
Student-Centered Learning: Learning that focuses on the needs, abilities, interests, and learning styles of students.
T
Task-Based Learning: Learning that focuses on the completion of meaningful tasks.
Teacher Efficacy: A teacher’s belief in their ability to positively impact students’ learning and development.
Team Teaching: Two or more teachers working together to plan, teach, and assess students.
Technology Integration: The incorporation of technology tools and resources into the teaching and learning process.
Thematic Units: Instructional units focused on a specific theme.
Title I: A federal aid program for schools to help students who are behind academically or at risk of falling behind.
Trait Theory: A theory of personality that identifies and measures specific traits and behaviors.
Transdisciplinary Learning: Learning that integrates knowledge, skills, and values from multiple disciplines to address complex issues.
Transferable Skills: Skills that can be applied and used across different jobs and industries.
Transitional Bilingual Education: A program that uses the student’s native language in instruction while they learn English.
Twice-Exceptional (2e) Students: Students who are gifted and have a disability, such as learning disabilities or ADHD.
U
Ubuntu: An African philosophy emphasizing interconnectedness, community, and humanity, often applied to educational contexts.
Underachievement: Performing below potential or expected levels in school despite having the ability to do better.
Understanding by Design (UbD): A framework for designing curriculum units, performance assessments, and instruction.
Universal Design for Learning (UDL): A framework to optimize teaching and learning for all students, regardless of their abilities or disabilities.
V
Virtual Classroom: An online learning environment where teaching and learning take place remotely via digital tools and platforms.
Virtual Learning Environment (VLE): An online platform that facilitates education and communication between instructors and students.
Virtual Reality (VR) in Education: The use of VR technology to create immersive learning experiences.
Visual Learning: A style of learning where information is associated with images and techniques.
Vocational Education: Education that prepares students for specific trades, crafts, and careers.
W
Whole Child Education: An approach that addresses the physical, social, emotional, and academic needs of students.
Whole Group Instruction: Teaching the entire class as a single group rather than in smaller groups or individually.
Whole Language Approach: A method of teaching reading that emphasizes literature and text comprehension.
Wisdom: The ability to apply knowledge and experience to make sound judgments and decisions.
Work-Based Learning: Learning experiences that take place in a workplace setting, often for academic credit.
Worldview: A comprehensive framework of beliefs and values through which an individual or society interprets and interacts with the world.
Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC): An approach to teaching writing that emphasizes writing in all subjects.
X
Xenodochial: Being friendly to strangers or foreigners, often applied to inclusive and welcoming educational environments.
Xenoglossia: The ability to speak a language not previously learned.
Xenophobia: An irrational fear or dislike of people from other countries or cultures.
Xeroxing: The practice of copying materials for educational use.
Y
Year-Round Education (YRE): An educational system that operates throughout the year with short breaks rather than a long summer vacation.
Yearly Progress Assessment (YPA): An assessment used to measure student progress over the course of a year.
Youth Empowerment: Providing young people with the knowledge and skills to make positive changes in their lives and communities.
Youth Voice: The meaningful participation and contribution of young people in decision-making processes that affect their lives and education.
Z
Zeigarnik Effect: The tendency to remember uncompleted tasks or interrupted activities more than completed ones.
Zenithal Learning: A learning approach that encourages learners to achieve their highest potential and peak performance.
Zero Tolerance: Policies that mandate predetermined consequences for specific offenses.
Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD): The range of tasks that a learner can perform with the help and guidance of others.
FAQs for Education Terms
1. What are the most important education terms I should know as a new teacher?
As a new teacher, it’s essential to familiarize yourself with key terms such as Differentiated Instruction, Formative Assessment, Classroom Management, IEP (Individualized Education Program), and Blended Learning. These concepts form the foundation of effective teaching strategies and classroom practices.
2. How can understanding educational jargon improve my teaching practices?
Understanding educational jargon allows teachers to effectively communicate with colleagues, administrators, and parents. It also helps in implementing research-based practices, staying updated with educational trends, and accessing professional development resources.
Familiarity with terms like Scaffolding, Metacognition, and Inquiry-Based Learning can enhance your instructional techniques.
3. What are some common acronyms used in education, and what do they mean?
Education is filled with acronyms that are important to understand. Here are a few common ones:
- IEP (Individualized Education Program): A customized plan for students with disabilities to ensure their educational needs are met.
- ESL (English as a Second Language): Programs or courses designed to help non-native English speakers learn English.
- STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics): An educational approach focused on these four disciplines.
- PD (Professional Development): Training and education for teachers to improve their skills and knowledge.
- RTI (Response to Intervention): A multi-tier approach to the early identification and support of students with learning and behavior needs.
4. How can learners benefit from knowing educational terms?
Learners can benefit by better understanding the expectations and methods used by their teachers.
Knowing terms like Learning Objectives, Rubrics, and Peer Review helps students grasp the criteria for success and actively participate in their learning process. It also empowers them to communicate more effectively about their educational needs and progress.
5. How do education terms vary across different education systems and countries?
Education terms can vary significantly between different countries and education systems. Here is a quick comparison chart you may find helpful.
| Term | US | UK | Germany | Rest of the World |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grades/Years | Kindergarten to 12th Grade (K-12) | Reception to Year 13 | Kindergarten to 12th Grade | Kindergarten to Year 12 (varies by country) |
| High School/Secondary | Grades 9-12 | Secondary School (Years 7-11) & Sixth Form (Years 12-13) | Gymnasium (Years 5-12/13) | Secondary School (varies by country) |
| College/University | College (undergrad) & University | College (16-18) & University (degrees) | University (Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctorate) | College & University (varies by country) |
| Vocational Education | Career and Technical Education (CTE) | Further Education (FE) Colleges | Berufsausbildung (dual system) | VET/TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training) |
| Standardized Tests | SAT, ACT | GCSEs, A-levels | Abitur | Varies: International Baccalaureate (IB), national exams |
| Early Childhood Education | Preschool, Pre-K (ages 3-5) | Nursery, Reception (ages 3-5) | Kindergarten (ages 3-6) | Kindergarten, early childhood centers (varies) |
| Higher Education Degrees | Bachelor’s (4 years), Master’s (2 years), Doctorate (varies) | Bachelor’s (3 years), Master’s (1 year), PhD (3-4 years) | Bachelor’s (3 years), Master’s (2 years), Doctorate (varies) | Similar structure, varies by country |
| Special Education | IEP, 504 Plans | EHCP (Education, Health and Care Plan) | Förderbedarf (Special Educational Needs) | IEPs, national variations |
| Academic Terms/Breaks | Semesters (fall, spring), summer break | Three terms (autumn, spring, summer) | Semesters, varied breaks | Varies: semesters, terms, national variations |
| Learning Styles | Visual, Auditory, Kinesthetic (VAK) | VAK, sometimes includes Reading/Writing | Cognitive, constructivist approaches | VAK, various educational philosophies |
Some of the common difference are for example:
- The term “primary school” is used in the UK, while “elementary school” is more common in the US.
- “Key Stage” is a term used in the UK to describe the stages of the national curriculum, whereas the US uses “grade levels”.
- In some countries, “college” refers to secondary education (ages 16-18), while in others, it refers to higher education institutions.
- “VET” (Vocational Education and Training) is commonly used in Australia, whereas “CTE” (Career and Technical Education) is the term used in the US. Understanding these differences can help educators and learners navigate and appreciate the diversity in global education systems.