Educational Strategies for Addressing Learning Gaps, Data-Driven Instruction, and Resilient Learning

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms related to data-driven instruction, multi-tiered support systems, instructional differentiation, resilient student learning, and classroom collaboration.

Learning Gap

The disparity between what a student has actually learned during remote instruction compared to what s/he was expected to learn based on his/her age or grade level.

Data

Information in raw or unorganized form representing certain conditions, ideas, or objects.

Data-Driven Instruction (DDI)

An instructional approach based on four basic principles: Assessment, Analysis, Action, and Culture.

Fundamental Standards

Essential standards that provide a solid foundation needed to scaffold later content knowledge.

Transferable Standards

Standards that have value across all content areas and can be applied as skills in different classes and subjects.

Enduring Standards

Standards that have value beyond a certain grade level or content area which students encounter as they extend learning in later grades.

Stoplight Highlighting

A visual data display strategy using green for positive results, yellow for caution, and red for immediate concerns.

Poll Everywhere

A web-based audience response system that transforms presentations into two-way conversations with embedded interactive activities and downloadable reports.

Socrative

A web-based tool that allows teachers to quickly assess students with prepared activities or on-the-fly questions to gain immediate insight into student understanding.

Mentimeter

A web-based tool for interactive presentations that allows real-time student participation via smartphones without requiring downloads or installations.

GoSoapBox

A web-based clicker tool that allows students to interact anonymously among peers to submit questions and opinions without fear of peer reaction.

Testmoz

A web-based test generator allowing teachers to create automatically graded tests with four question types in approximately $1$\,minute.

Formative Assessment

Informal, low-stakes assessments used to measure learning during or immediately after classroom activities to quickly modify instruction.

Exit Slips

Informal formative assessments written on index cards after a lesson to provide teachers with an immediate measure of student learning.

Action Plan

A document detailing concrete, measurable tasks required to accomplish a specific goal broken down into shorter actionable steps with a timeline.

Response to Intervention (RtI)

A structured, multi-tiered system of intervention introduced following the $2004$ IDEA reauthorization that traditionally focuses on student academic needs.

Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS)

A proactive framework using data-driven decision-making to address both academic and non-academic needs, including social-emotional growth, behavior, and attendance.

Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS)

An intervention framework under MTSS designed to promote positive behavior and social-emotional growth in students.

Differentiation

A framework for effective teaching that provides students different ways to learn content, process, product, and learning environment based on readiness, interest, or learning profile.

Tiered Instruction

A differentiation strategy where teachers vary the complexity of assignments so students explore the same basic skill at differing levels of challenge.

Stamina

The bodily or mental capacity to sustain prolonged physical or mental effort without losing focus or depleting energy levels.

Perseverance

The ability to keep going and show steadfastness in accomplishing a goal despite adversity, difficulty, or obstacles.

Failing Forward

Purposefully and deliberately using failure to find success by mitigating risk and trying new things without being held back by perfectionism.

Grit

Passion and perseverance for very long-term goals.

S.M.A.R.T. Goals

A goal-setting framework requiring targets to be Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-Bound.

Short-Term Goals

Achievable targets in the near future that act as stepping stones toward achieving long-term goals.

Long-Term Goals

Meaningful plans made with the future in mind that are typically achieved over an extended time period.

PDCA Cycle

A four-step goal reevaluation strategy consisting of Plan, Do, Check, and Adjust, also known as the Deming Wheel or Deming Cycle.

Social Distancing

Non-pharmaceutical measures intended to limit or mitigate the spread of contagious disease by maintaining physical distance between individuals.

Talking Circles

A collaborative discussion strategy rooted in Native American culture that emphasizes equality, active listening, and sharing power using a talking piece.

Gallery Walk

An instructional activity where students explore multiple texts or images displayed around the room or virtually to gather notes or answer questions.

Need to Knows (N2K)

A project-based learning strategy that uses Think-Pair-Share and reflection to elicit essential questions about a topic.

Four Corners

A collaborative grouping technique where students choose one of four options based on their preferred learning preference for exploring a phenomenon.

Time Management

An extension of the decision-making process designed to structure, protect, and adjust time through awareness, arrangement, and adaptation.

Bullet Journal

A customizable daily productivity and mindfulness system created by Ryder Carroll that includes an Index, Future Log, Monthly Log, and Daily Log.

Pomodoro Technique

A time management method utilizing $25$\,minute uninterrupted work sessions followed by $5$\,minute breaks to optimize focus and efficiency.