Educational Terms

This article breaks down some of the most commonly used educational terms. The goal is to make understanding these terms as simple as possible, enhancing communication and comprehension within the educational community.

What Are Educational Terms?

Educational terms are specific words and phrases used to describe different aspects of teaching, learning, and administration in schools. These terms include acronyms like “1:1” for one device per student. Another example is “metacognition,” which refers to being aware of one’s own learning processes.

Terms such as enrollment mean registering a child for school, while 21st-century skills refer to abilities essential for today’s world. Knowing these terms helps in understanding educational settings and practices.

Common Educational Terms with Meanings

1:1: One laptop or device for each student in a class or school. This model is increasingly popular in modern classrooms to enhance learning.

21st-Century Skills: Refers to a broad set of knowledge, skills, and character traits that are believed to be critically important for success in today’s world. This includes critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity.

Active Learning: A teaching method that engages students in the learning process through activities and/or discussions, as opposed to passively listening to an expert. This promotes higher-order thinking.

Enrollment: The process of registering a student in a school. Parents must provide information such as the student’s address, age, and health details. Each school has its own deadlines and requirements.

Bilingual Education: Education where two distinct languages are used for teaching. This can help students become fluent in both languages. Sometimes called “two-way bilingual education” when both language speakers are taught together.

Educational Jargon: The specialized language used in the field of education. This includes terms related to teaching methods, assessment types, educational policies, and academic theories.

Formative Assessment: These are assessments used to monitor student learning and provide ongoing feedback. Examples include quizzes, assignments, and observations.

Summative Assessment: Designed to evaluate student learning at the end of an instructional period. Examples include final exams, end-of-term projects, and standardized tests.

Differentiated Instruction: A teaching approach that tailors instruction to meet the diverse needs of students. This may involve altering content, process, product, or learning environment.

Scaffolding: An educational technique where teachers provide successive levels of temporary support to help students achieve higher levels of understanding and skill.

Pedagogy: The art and science of teaching. It encompasses a range of teaching strategies and methods.

STEM: Acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. Focuses on these subjects to prepare students for the demands of the modern workforce.

List of Educational Terms

Here’s a list of common educational terms that are often used in academic settings:

• Active Learning
• 1:1:
• 21st-Century Skills
• Adaptive Learning
• Blended Learning
• Differentiated Instruction
• Flipped Classroom
• Formative Assessment
• Gamification
• Inquiry-Based Learning
• Learning Management System (LMS)
• Scaffolding
• STEM
• Summative Assessment
• Universal Design for Learning (UDL)
• Assessment
• Bloom’s Taxonomy
• Curriculum
• Differentiated Instruction
• E-Learning
• IEP (Individualized Education Program)
• Inclusion
• Learning Styles
• Literacy
• Pedagogy
• Professional Development
• Rubric
• Synchronous Learning
• Asynchronous Learning
• Flipped Classroom
• Competency-Based Education
• Constructivism
• Inquiry-Based Learning
• MOOC (Massive Open Online Course)
• Fluency
• Holistic Education
• Experiential Learning

Educational Terms with Pictures

Soft Skills vs. Hard Skills

UCR Meaning

UMBC Meaning

TQW Meaning