Educational Psychology and Special Education Review

Vocabulary flashcards covering core topics in educational psychology and special education, including memory models, learning strategies, special education laws, and cognitive theories.

Cognitive psychology's approach to learning

A theoretical perspective focusing on internal mental operations—such as attention, perception, memory, and reasoning—and how learners actively construct, organize, store, and retrieve knowledge.

Three-component model of memory

An information processing framework consisting of sensory register (brief storage of perceptual inputs), working/short-term memory (conscious, limited-capacity active processing), and long-term memory (unlimited permanent storage).

Rote learning

The memorization of facts or information through mechanical repetition and rehearsal without connecting the material to prior knowledge or grasping underlying meaning.

Meaningful learning

The cognitive process of acquiring new information by actively integrating and relating it to existing knowledge structures and concepts already stored in memory.

Complex cognitive process

A higher-order mental activity that goes beyond simple information retrieval, encompassing critical thinking, creative thinking, problem-solving, decision-making, and transfer of learning.

Metacognition

Knowledge and awareness of one's own cognitive processes, along with the ability to monitor, evaluate, and regulate one's learning and comprehension strategies.

Overt strategies

Directly observable study behaviors and actions used to support learning, such as taking notes, creating graphic organizers, outlining, and writing summaries.

Covert strategies

Internal, non-observable mental processes used to guide and monitor learning, such as self-questioning, mental elaboration, visualizing concepts, and checking one's own comprehension.

Sociocultural theory

A developmental perspective pioneered by Lev Vygotsky emphasizing that cognitive growth occurs primarily through social interactions, cultural tools, language, and guided participation within the Zone of Proximal Development.

Current research consensus on learning styles

Contemporary empirical research does not support the hypothesis that matching instruction to preferred modalities (e.g., visual, auditory, kinesthetic) improves academic outcomes, classifying it largely as an educational neuromyth.

IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act)

A federal law that guarantees eligible children with disabilities access to specialized education and related services tailored to their individual needs, designed to prepare them for further education, employment, and independent living.

Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE)

A core legal provision of IDEA mandating that public school districts provide individualized, suitable educational programming and related services at public expense without charge to parents.

Modification

An alteration in what a student is taught or expected to learn, which changes curriculum standards, task complexity, or performance expectations (e.g., reading simplified text or completing fewer, easier objectives).

Accommodation

A change in how a student accesses information or demonstrates knowledge without altering curriculum content or grading standards (e.g., extended time on tests, preferred seating, or text-to-speech software).

Section 504 Plan

A civil rights blueprint developed under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act that provides accommodations and equal access to general education for students with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits major life activities, without requiring specialized instruction.

Individualized Education Program (IEP)

A comprehensive, legally binding document under IDEA tailored for a student who qualifies for special education, outlining specialized instruction, present performance levels, measurable annual goals, services, and accommodations.

Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP)

A formal plan derived from a Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA) designed to replace problem behaviors with appropriate alternatives through targeted positive behavior supports, interventions, and reinforcement strategies.

Gardner's Multiple Intelligences

Howard Gardner's theory proposing that human cognitive capability comprises multiple distinct, autonomous intelligences (such as linguistic, logical-mathematical, spatial, bodily-kinesthetic, musical, interpersonal, intrapersonal, and naturalistic) rather than a single general ability.