Educational Psychology: Learning, Teaching, and Development

Vocabulary flashcards covering fundamental concepts in educational psychology, including learning, teaching, cognitive development, differentiation, and the scientific method.

Prior knowledge

The knowledge, skills, and experiences that students have before learning something new.

Individual differences

The variation among students in their intelligence (IQ levels), abilities, and skills, which teachers must understand in order to balance their needs.

Differentiation

Using different teaching methods and activities to meet students' different levels and abilities, ensuring all students receive the knowledge and support they need.

Cognitive development

The development of thinking and mental abilities.

Piagent

The scientist who stated that the way children think is different from the way adults think.

Social interaction

The way people communicate, interact, and learn from each other, allowing students to learn through interaction with teachers and classmates.

Self-efficacy

A person's belief in their ability to do something or achieve a goal, reflected as 'Yes I can' when high and 'No I can't / I won't try' when low.

Learning

A process that results in a relatively permanent change in knowledge, skills, behavior, and understanding.

Effective teaching

A process that goes beyond presenting information to include planning, instructions, interactions, assessment, feedback, and creating a supportive learning environment.

Scientific method

Research conducted to find relationships between variables that adds to the body of knowledge and produces results based on evidence rather than feelings or thoughts.