Educational Psychology - Understanding Learning and Teaching

Vocabulary flashcards covering fundamental concepts in educational psychology, pedagogical knowledge types, research methodologies, and instructional principles.

Teaching

What the teacher does during instruction, including explaining concepts, using presentation slides, and planning lessons.

Learning

What happens inside the learner; a cognitive process requiring active engagement beyond mere exposure to information.

Retrieval Practice

The principle that pulling information from memory strengthens learning and memory retention more effectively than simply rereading material.

Cognitive Load

The total amount of mental effort used in working memory, which can be overloaded if too much information is presented at once.

Spaced Learning

An instructional strategy where learning is distributed over time rather than concentrated into a single cramming session.

Metacognition

The process of monitoring and evaluating one's own thinking by asking questions such as 'What do I know?', 'What don't I understand?', and 'What strategy should I use?'.

Knowledge of Content

A domain of professional knowledge founded on the principle that teachers cannot teach what they do not understand.

Pedagogical Content Knowledge

A teacher's specialized professional knowledge concerning how to effectively represent specific subject topics to learners.

General Pedagogical Knowledge

Broad professional knowledge encompassing general instructional strategies and classroom management techniques.

Knowledge of Learners and Learning

Professional knowledge focused on understanding individual students and their specific developmental and learning needs.

Quantitative Research

An approach to educational research using numerical data, encompassing descriptive, correlational, and experimental study designs.

Qualitative Research

An educational research method that collects non-numerical data to achieve a holistic interpretation of learning phenomena.

Action Research

Applied research conducted by educators designed to answer specific questions within a school or classroom context.

Design-Based Research

Research conducted in real-world settings through school-based interventions, mixed methods, and practitioner collaboration to contribute to theory.

Academic Standards

Statements that officially describe what students should know or be able to do at the end of a prescribed period of study.

Accountability

The educational process of requiring students to demonstrate mastery of academic standards as evaluated through standardized tests.

Enjaz

A national standardized assessment system in the UAE launched in 2017 that tests students in multiple subjects prior to higher education enrollment.

Teacher Evaluation

The process of assessing teachers' classroom performance and providing structured feedback to increase their expertise.

Neuroscience

An interdisciplinary science that studies how the nervous system develops, is structured, and functions to inform teaching practices.

Neuroplasticity

The brain's capacity to adapt and change through experience, demonstrating that targeted educational experiences can enhance student learning.