Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT): Grades 7-12 Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards generated from the Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT): Grades 7-12 study material covering key pedagogical concepts, assessment types, theoretical frameworks, and legal standards.

Social Learning Theory

A theory suggesting that learning occurs when people imitate or model the behaviors of others, and that the expected outcome of a behavior impacts a person's motivation to engage in it.

Bloom's Taxonomy

A framework developed by Benjamin Bloom involving different levels of complexity of learning objectives that relate to assessment and varying levels of understanding.

Intellectually Gifted Students

Students who possess the cognitive ability to think at abstract levels earlier than same-aged peers, generate original ideas, and require advanced content and choices in learning activities.

Diagnostic Test

An assessment used by a teacher to identify a student's specific skills, knowledge levels, strengths, and weaknesses to determine instructional needs.

Criterion-Referenced Assessment

An assessment used to determine whether a student has obtained expected knowledge and skills in a specific area and to identify gaps in learning.

Self-Efficacy Theory

A theory centered on an individual's belief in their capability to successfully perform a specific task.

Student-Teacher Writing Conferences

Conferences that provide insight helping teachers offer targeted feedback to individual students to develop their writing skills.

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA)

A federal law that protects the privacy and confidentiality of educational records for parents and students.

Formal Operational Stage

Piaget's stage of cognitive development in which individuals acquire the ability to think about abstract concepts and debate social matters.

Analytic Scoring Rubric

A form of authentic assessment used to evaluate specific skills or criteria separately, commonly used for complex assignments such as lab reports.

Inquiry-Based Activities

Learning activities that engage students in higher-level thinking and reasoning as they actively seek resolutions to questions or problems.

Action Research

A study conducted by educators to improve classroom instruction by working through reflective stages of problem-solving.

Intrinsic Motivation

Motivation that occurs when someone engages in an activity for internal satisfaction or benefit, fostered by autonomy and student choice.

Negative Motivation

Motivation directed away from something that an individual wants to avoid.

Peer Coaching

A confidential process where professional colleagues collaborate to reflect on current practices, refine skills, share ideas, and solve workplace problems.

Aptitude Test

A test providing data on a person's learning ability, strengths, interests, and overall potential to help guide decisions such as course selection.

Individualized Education Program (IEP)

A federally mandated plan defining individualized objectives and accommodations for a student diagnosed with a disability.

Norm-Referenced Test

A test used to compare performance to ascertain if a student has acquired the necessary skills to function at a given grade level.

Adult Advocate

An assigned mentor who monitors and supports a young adolescent's academic and personal development in an inclusive school environment.

Critical Friends Group

A professional learning group where educators meet to engage in reflective practice and improve instruction through collaborative learning.

Receptive Nonverbal Communication

Nonverbal cues, such as gesturing or pointing to a student's paper, used to communicate a desired response without verbal interruption.

Cognitive Theory of Learning

A theoretical framework stating that learning involves transforming environmental information into mental knowledge and applying it to new contexts.

Holistic Assessment

A scoring approach based on the overall quality of a student's work rather than evaluating isolated components separately.

Cognitive Domain of Learning

The domain of learning that encompasses intellectual behaviors, including recalling, thinking, matching data, and problem-solving.

Affective Domain

The domain of learning related to attitudes, emotions, feelings, and conflict resolution through active discussion or role-play.

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act

A law protecting individuals with physical or mental impairments, such as chronic health conditions like diabetes, that limit major life activities.

Differentiating Curricula

Modifying instruction and coursework to address students' differing learning rates, styles, interests, and abilities.

Transfer of Learning

The process of taking knowledge or skills acquired in one context and applying them in a different context.

Achievement Test

An assessment designed to measure mastery of specific skill sets and determine if a student is performing on grade level.

Scaffolded Instruction

An instructional method providing extensive temporary support that gradually tapers off as students gain independence.

Metacognition

The intellectual process of reflecting on and evaluating one's own learning processes, strategies, and understanding.

Library Media Specialist

A specialist who assists teachers in evaluating information resources, technology, and social media tools for curriculum integration.

Episodic Memory

Long-term memory involved in recalling specific personal experiences and events from the past.

Formative Assessment

Ungraded or low-stakes assessments (e.g., exit tickets) used during the learning process to inform and guide future instruction.

Classical Conditioning

A learning process in which a neutral stimulus becomes associated with an unconditioned stimulus to produce a conditioned response, such as test anxiety.

Active Listening

A communication technique involving reflecting feelings and asking open questions to demonstrate understanding and support.

Peer Observation

A collaborative practice where teachers observe each other's classes and provide constructive feedback to encourage reflection.

Reliability

The consistency and stability with which an assessment tool measures performance or produces results.

Direct Instruction

A teacher-centered instructional method emphasizing lectures and demonstrations to present explicit learning materials.