Question 1

Constructivism

Accepted Answer

An educational philosophy that suggests learning is an active, constructive process and the learner is an information constructor

Question 2

Inquiry-based Learning

Accepted Answer

A pedagogical approach that involves exploring the natural or material world that leads to asking questions, making discoveries, and rigorously testing those discoveries in the search for new understanding.

Question 3

Bloom's Taxonomy

Accepted Answer

A set of three hierarchical models used to classify educational learning objectives into levels of complexity and specificity.

Question 4

Formative Assessment

Accepted Answer

A range of formal and informal assessment procedures employed by teachers during the learning process in order to modify teaching and learning activities to improve student attainment.

Question 5

Summative Assessment

Accepted Answer

Testing that's used to evaluate student learning at the conclusion of a specific instructional period—typically at the end of a project, unit, course, semester, program, or school year.

Question 6

Differentiated Instruction

Accepted Answer

A teaching philosophy based on the premise that teachers should adapt instruction to student differences.

Question 7

Zone of Proximal Development

Accepted Answer

The difference between what a learner can do without help and what they can do with help.

Question 8

Learning Styles

Accepted Answer

A concept that different individuals learn in different ways.

Question 9

Scaffolding

Accepted Answer

A process that enables a child or novice to solve a problem, carry out a task or achieve a goal which would be beyond his unassisted efforts.

Question 10

Multimodal Learning

Accepted Answer

A style in which learning takes place through multiple modalities such as visual, auditory, kinesthetic etc.

Question 11

Extrinsic Motivation

Accepted Answer

Motivation that comes from outside of the individual.

Question 12

Intrinsic Motivation

Accepted Answer

The act of doing something without any obvious external rewards.

Question 13

Cognitive Load Theory

Accepted Answer

A theory which suggests that learning happens best under conditions that are aligned with human cognitive architecture.

Question 14

Flipped Classroom

Accepted Answer

A pedagogical approach where students are introduced to content at home and practice working through it at school.

Question 15

Positive Reinforcement

Accepted Answer

The addition of a reward following a desired behavior with the purpose of increasing the likelihood the behavior will occur again.

Question 16

Authentic Assessment

Accepted Answer

A form of assessment in which students are asked to perform real-world tasks that demonstrate meaningful application of essential knowledge and skills.

Question 17

Universal Design for Learning (UDL)

Accepted Answer

A framework to improve and optimize teaching and learning for all people based on scientific insights into how humans learn.

Question 18

Backward Design

Accepted Answer

A method of designing educational curriculum by setting goals before choosing instructional methods and forms of assessment.

Question 19

Rubric

Accepted Answer

A coherent set of criteria for students' work that includes descriptions of levels of performance quality on the criteria.

Question 20

Multiple Intelligences

Accepted Answer

A theory that suggests that the traditional notion of intelligence, based on I.Q. testing, is far too limited.

Question 21

Self-efficacy

Accepted Answer

Belief in one's ability to succeed in specific situations or accomplish a task.

Question 22

Metacognition

Accepted Answer

Awareness and understanding of one's own thought processes.

Question 23

Project-based Learning

Accepted Answer

A student-centered pedagogy that involves a dynamic classroom approach in which students acquire a deeper knowledge through active exploration of real-world challenges and problems.

Question 24

Cooperative Learning

Accepted Answer

A successful teaching strategy in which small teams, each with students of different levels of ability, use a variety of learning activities to improve their understanding of a subject.

Question 25

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

Accepted Answer

A theory in psychology that consists of a five-tier model of human needs, often depicted as hierarchical levels within a pyramid.

Question 26

Andragogy

Accepted Answer

The method and practice of teaching adult learners.

Question 27

Hidden Curriculum

Accepted Answer

The unspoken or implicit academic, social, and cultural messages that are communicated to students while they are in school.

Question 28

Schema Theory

Accepted Answer

A mental construct of preconceived ideas which represents a framework for understanding and interpreting new information.

Question 29

Phonemic Awareness

Accepted Answer

The understanding that words are made up of individual sounds or phonemes.

Question 30

Response to Intervention (RTI)

Accepted Answer

A multi-tier approach to the early identification and support of students with learning and behavior needs.

Question 31

Explicit Instruction

Accepted Answer

A structured, systematic, and effective methodology for teaching academic skills.

Question 32

Self-regulated Learning

Accepted Answer

Learning that is guided by metacognition, strategic action, and motivation to learn.

Question 33

Guided Reading

Accepted Answer

An instructional approach that involves a teacher working with a small group of students who demonstrate similar reading behaviors and can read similar levels of texts.

Question 34

Developmentally Appropriate Practice (DAP)

Accepted Answer

A framework designed to promote young children's optimal learning and development.

Question 35

Cross-curricular Learning

Accepted Answer

A conscious effort to apply knowledge, principles, and/or values to more than one academic discipline simultaneously.

Question 36

Culturally Responsive Teaching

Accepted Answer

An educational approach that recognizes the importance of including students' cultural references in all aspects of learning.

Question 37

Reflective Practice

Accepted Answer

A process by which you stop and think about your practice, consciously analyse your decision making and draw on theory and relate it to what you do in practice.

Question 38

Individualized Education Plan (IEP)

Accepted Answer

A written document that's developed for each public school child who is eligible for special education.

Question 39

English Language Learner (ELL)

Accepted Answer

Individuals for whom English is not their first language and who are in the process of developing literacy and proficiency in English.

Question 40

Standardized Test

Accepted Answer

A test that is given in a consistent or "standard" manner to ensure that the test conditions are the same for all test takers.

Question 41

Socioeconomic Status (SES)

Accepted Answer

The social standing or class of an individual or group, often measured as a combination of education, income and occupation.

Question 42

Culturally Relevant Pedagogy

Accepted Answer

A pedagogical theory based on the idea that when academic knowledge and skills are situated within the lived experiences and frames of reference of students, they are more personally meaningful, have higher interest appeal, and are learned more easily and thoroughly.

Question 43

Exceptional Learners

Accepted Answer

Students who have physical, mental, or emotional conditions, including giftedness, that require modifications to the regular educational program.

Question 44

Critical Pedagogy

Accepted Answer

An approach to teaching and learning predicated on fostering agency and empowering learners to effect social change.

Question 45

Whole Language Approach

Accepted Answer

A method of teaching reading that emphasizes literature and text comprehension rather than individual words and phonics.

Question 46

Multiple Literacies

Accepted Answer

Recognizing that there are many ways of gaining understanding and making sense of the world, and that each person uses a range of literacies for different purposes.

Question 47

Portfolio Assessment

Accepted Answer

A collection of student work representing a selection of performance that is assembled over an extended period of time.

Question 48

Learning Community

Accepted Answer

A group of people who share common academic goals and attitudes and meet semi-regularly to collaborate on classwork.

Question 49

Early Intervention

Accepted Answer

A system of coordinated services that promotes a child's growth and development and supports families during the critical early years.

Question 50

Performance-Based Assessment

Accepted Answer

Evaluating students' knowledge and skills by asking them to perform tasks related to what they have learned.

Question 51

Cognitive Development

Accepted Answer

The construction of thought processes, including remembering, problem solving, and decision-making, from childhood through adolescence to adulthood.

Question 52

Social Constructivism

Accepted Answer

A sociological theory of knowledge that applies the general philosophical constructivism into the social context.

Question 53

Mastery Learning

Accepted Answer

An instructional strategy and educational philosophy, first formally proposed by Benjamin Bloom in 1968.

Question 54

English as a Second Language (ESL)

Accepted Answer

A program or approach that teaches academic and non-academic language skills to students whose first language isn't English.

Question 55

Content-based Instruction

Accepted Answer

A significant approach in language education, designed to provide second-language learners instruction in content and language.

Question 56

Service Learning

Accepted Answer

A teaching and learning strategy that integrates meaningful community service with instruction and reflection to enrich the learning experience, teach civic responsibility, and strengthen communities.

Question 57

Direct Instruction

Accepted Answer

A teaching model which emphasizes well-developed and carefully planned lessons designed around small learning increments and clearly defined and prescribed teaching tasks.

Question 58

Brain-Based Learning

Accepted Answer

The informed process of using a group of practical strategies that are driven by sound principles derived from brain research.

Question 59

No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB)

Accepted Answer

A U.S. Act of Congress that reauthorized the Elementary and Secondary Education Act; it included Title I provisions applying to disadvantaged students.

Question 60

Situated Learning

Accepted Answer

Learning that takes place in the same context in which it is applied.

Question 61

Outcome-Based Education

Accepted Answer

An educational theory that bases each part of an educational system around goals (outcomes).

Question 62

Emergent Curriculum

Accepted Answer

A way of planning curriculum based on the student's interest and passions as well as the teacher's.

Question 63

Phonics

Accepted Answer

A method of teaching reading and spelling that stresses symbol-sound relationships, used especially in beginning instruction.

Question 64

Game-based Learning

Accepted Answer

The use of games to enhance the learning experience and achieve defined learning outcomes.

Maryland Pedagogy Skills Assessment: Advanced Concepts