Learning

Glossary

• 1:1. A description of a learning environment where there is one “screen” for each student (whether an iPad, laptop, etc.)
• Andragogy. The study of teaching adults.
• BYOD. An initialism that stands for “Bring Your Own Device.” BYOD programs allow students to use their own technology (usually smartphone or tablet) in a classroom. BYOD is often seen as a way of solving budget concerns while increasing the authenticity of learning experiences, while critics point to the problems BYOD can cause for district IT, privacy concerns, and more.
• Blended learning. Blended learning is a learning model that combines digital and face-to-face learning experiences. The Christensen Institute for Disruptive Innovation defines Blended Learning “a formal education program in which a student learns: (1) at least in part through online learning, with some element of student control over time, place, path, and/or pace; (2) at least in part in a supervised brick-and-mortar location away from home; (3) and the modalities along each student’s learning path within a course or subject are connected to provide an integrated learning experience.” It is generally accepted that there are four models of blended learning: Rotation, Flex, A La Carte, and Enriched Virtual. The Christensen Institute clarifies that “the Rotation model includes four sub-models: Station Rotation, Lab Rotation, Flipped Classroom, and Individual Rotation.” There is some thought that a certain percentage of instruction must be digital to qualify as “blended learning,” but there is no clear industry standard.
• Cognitive apprenticeship. Cognitive apprenticeship focuses on “learning-through-guided-experience on cognitive and metacognitive skills and processes” (Collins, Brown, & Newman, 1989, p. 457), instead of the physically concrete craft or trade that is the focus of traditional apprenticeships. “The method is aimed primarily at teaching the problem-solving processes that experts use to handle complex tasks. Cognitive apprenticeships are intended to enable apprentices to learn strategies and skills in the context of their application to realistic problems, within a culture focused on and defined by expert practice.”
• Communal constructivism. A learning theory “in which networked learners not only construct and assimilate their own knowledge from their own learning opportunities, but deliberately contribute their own learning to a community resource base.”(Holmes & Gardner 2006).
• Connected learning. A learning model by Digital Media & Learning that emphasizes the role of social interactions as a catalyst for learning. (See “Connected Learning: The Power Of Social Learning Models”.) Characteristics of Connected Learning include: Interest-Powered, Production Centered, Peer-Supported, Shared Purpose, Academically-Oriented, and Openly-Networked.
• Constructionism. According to Seymour Papert, constructionism is, put roughly, learning by making. That Papert is known to struggle with the idea of defining Constructionism by a “pipeline” of knowledge-giving hints at its nature–open-ended, learner-centered, playful, non-institutional, non-academis, and so difficult to describe in an academic context. Papert explained that, while close in meaning and spelling as Constructivism, it is suitably unique: “Constructionism–the N word as opposed to the V word–shares constructivism’s connotation of learning as “building knowledge structures” irrespective of the circumstances of the learning. It then adds the idea that this happens especially felicitously in a context where the learner is consciously engaged in constructing a public entity, whether it’s a sand castle on the beach or a theory of the universe.” Papert went on to describe Constructionism as a kind of learning which “allows full range of intellectual styles and preferences to each find a point of equilibrium. (Papert, Harel 1991)
• Constructivism. A learning theory that suggests that “people construct their own understanding and knowledge of the world through experiencing things and reflecting on those experiences” (Christie 2005).
• Differentiation. According to differentiation expert Dr. Carol Tomlinson, differentiation is not a teaching strategy, but rather a way of thinking about learning. In terms of application it is the specific design of “content, process, or product” according to a student’s readiness, interest, or learning profile. Tomlinson explains that “differentiation does not presume different tasks for each learner, but rather just enough flexibility in task complexity, working arrangements, and modes of learning expression that varied students find learning a good fit much of the time.” In short, differentiation is the process of personalizing universal learning goals for groups of students. As such, it is closely related to (but different than) personalized learning and individualized learning.
• Digital citizenship. Karen Mossberger, Associate Professor at University of Illinois at Chicago, defines digital citizenship simply as “the ability to participate in society online.”
• E-learning. Learning expressly through online courses and related digital resources.
• Experiential learning (activity-based learning, learning by doing or learning through play). Any educational method that is based on both direct experience and cognitive reflection on that experience. Those methods may include a wide range of techniques from observations, experiments, and heuristics to public service, fieldwork, community-based research, and apprenticeship, but the following consideration of what was experienced and what can be learned is the key. The Method may also be defined as learning through reflection on doing.
• Flipped classroom. Stated simply, a flipped classroom is one where students are introduced to content at home through digital tools (usually video), and then practice it at school under the guidance of a teacher. This is the reverse of the traditional pattern, where students are introduced to content at school, and then practice it at home without the guidance of the teacher (i.e., More Knowledgeable Other).
• Game-based learning. Learning through games (from physical to digital).
• Gamification. The application of game-like “encouragement” mechanics to non-game entities. Put another way, it is making a game out of something that’s not.
• Genius hour. The allotment of a specified amount of time in a formal learning environment for the purpose of self-directed learning.
• Individualized learning. The customizing of universal content (e.g., Common Core) for individual students. See also Personalized Learning, Differentiated Learning, and Self-Directed Learning.
• Informal learning. Informal Learning has been defined as “any activity involving the pursuit of understanding, knowledge or skill which occurs without the presence of externally imposed curricular criteria. Informal learning may occur in any context outside the pre-established curricula of educative institutions. The basic terms of informal learning (e.g. objectives, content, means and processes of acquisition, duration, evaluation of outcomes, applications) are determined by the individuals and groups that choose to engage in it. Self-directed or collective informal learning is undertaken on our own. Informal education or training is distinguished from such self-directed informal learning only by the presence of some form of institutionally-recognized instructor. (Livingstone 2001).
• Learning simulation. Often (not necessarily) digital, a learning simulation is a recreation of a context which allows a learner to bring strategy, tactics, and skills to experiment, play, or otherwise interact with that context’s manipulatives. Learning Simulation Clark Aldrich defines a learning simulation as “an abstracted interactive environment (or) structure for education in which a learner can take actions and make decisions, and get ongoing feedback and consequences.”
• Learning taxonomy. Any framework such as Bloom's taxonomy for learning objectives. These taxonomies can be used to plan units, lessons, assessments, and other teaching and learning processes.
• Mastery learning. According to Vahid Motamedi of Tarbiat Moallem University, “Mastery learning is a method of instruction where the focus is on the role of feedback in learning. Furthermore, mastery learning refers to a category of instructional methods which establishes a level of performance that all students must “master” before moving on to the next unit (Slavin, 1987). Thus, through one or more trials, students have to achieve a specified level of content knowledge prior to progression on to a next unit of instruction.” “Mastery learning is used in order to advance an individual’s potential for learning. Compared to traditional learning models, sufficient time, attention, and help are afforded to each student.”
• MOOC. An acronym for Massively Open Online Course, a digital course that allows asynchronous access to content.
• Mobile learning. The United Nations defines mobile learning as “Mobile learning involves the use of mobile technology, either alone or in combination with other information and communication technology (ICT), to enable learning anytime and anywhere. Learning can unfold in a variety of ways: people can use mobile devices to access educational resources, connect with others, or create content, both inside and outside classrooms. Mobile learning also encompasses efforts to support broad educational goals such as the effective administration of school systems and improved communication between schools and families.”
• Modeling instruction. Modeling Instruction is an evolving, research-based pedagogy for high school and middle school science. It emphasizes constructing and applying conceptual and mathematical models of physical, chemical, and biological phenomena as a central aspect of learning and doing science. It is a robust methodology for developing student abilities to make sense of physical experience, understand scientific claims, articulate coherent opinions of their own and defend them with cogent arguments, and evaluate evidence in support of justified belief. It was developed at Arizona State University. It is sustained and expanded nationwide by the American Modeling Teachers Association (AMTA) in approximately 60 multi-week Modeling Workshops each summer. You can read more here. (Source: Jane Jackson at Arizona State University)
• Pedagogy.
• Personalized learning. The process of designing a learning experience for an individual learner, including content, learning model, assessment forms, and mode of knowledge application. Personalized learning can arise from any learning experience that is self-initiated and self-directed in pursuit of outcomes that are first personal (e.g., curiosity-based, self-prioritized, etc.)
• Place-based education. Place-Based Education “immerses students in local heritage, cultures, landscapes, opportunities and experiences, uses these as a foundation for the study of language arts, mathematics, social studies, science and other subjects across the curriculum, and emphasizes learning through participation in service projects for the local school and/or community.”
• Scenario-based learning. Scenario-based learning is a mode of learning that functions as a social simulation, requiring students to use authentic contexts to solve problems. Sounds a lot like problem-based learning, doesn’t it? It is, but the scenario doesn’t have to be a “problem.” Massey University explains. “Scenario-based learning (SBL) uses interactive scenarios to support active learning strategies such as problem-based or case-based learning. It normally involves students working their way through a storyline, usually based around an ill-structured or complex problem, which they are required to solve. In the process students must apply their subject knowledge, and critical thinking and problem solving skills in a safe, real-world context. SBL is often non-linear, and can provide numerous feedback opportunities to students, based on the decisions they make at each stage in the process. Scenario-based learning may be self-contained, in that completing the scenario is the entire task, or it may be the first part of a larger assignment requiring the student to complete the scenario, and then provide a written or oral reflection and self-assessment on the process. As for the research basis, Massey University goes on to offer that SBL “is based on the principles of situated learning theory (Lave & Wenger, 1991), which argues that learning best takes place in the context in which it is going to be used, and situated cognition, the idea that knowledge is best acquired and more fully understood when situated within its context (Kindley, 2002)”
• Project-based learning (challenge-based learning, problem-based learning). An educational method that is based on experiential working on real-world projects related to the subject of learning.
• Self-directed learning. Self-directed learning is a model of learning where the student designs learning goals, pathways, and application. It can be used both formally and informally, for learning both academic and non-academic, in classrooms, homeschool settings, and workplaces. (See Google’s 80/20 rule, or video game developer Valve for more on what this might look like in a professional setting.) As a phrase, it is often used interchangeably with self-managed learning or independent learning, where students execute teacher-designed learning processes designed from institutional learning goals.
• Situated cognition. A learning theory that emphasizes the absolute and permanent relationship between knowledge and context, or “situation,” situated cognition suggests a taut relationship between what one knows, and what one does with what one knows (i.e., knowledge and behavior). This creates a problematic collision between “the different instructional goals of ‘knowing what’ and ‘know how’ result in different structures and practices of our education system,” and harmfully “decontextualized learning resulted from separation between learning and doing.” (Brown, Collins and Duguid (1989). Clancey offers, “The theory of situated cognition…claims that every human thought is adapted to the environment, that is, situated, because what people perceive, how they conceive of their activity, and what they physically do develop together” (Clancey, 1997).