Question 1

Constructivism

Accepted Answer

Educational theory that learning happens when students construct understanding and knowledge through experience.

Question 2

Bloom's Taxonomy

Accepted Answer

Hierarchical model used to classify educational learning objectives into complexity levels: Remembering, Understanding, Applying, Analyzing, Evaluating, and Creating.

Question 3

Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD)

Accepted Answer

The difference between what learners can do without help and what they can't do; concept introduced by Vygotsky.

Question 4

Differentiated Instruction

Accepted Answer

Teaching strategy that involves adjusting the curriculum, teaching methods, and classroom environment to better meet the diverse needs of students.

Question 5

Summative Assessment

Accepted Answer

Assessment conducted after instruction to evaluate students' overall learning progress and achievement.

Question 6

Formative Assessment

Accepted Answer

Ongoing assessment used during instruction to check students' understanding and guide teaching decisions.

Question 7

Authentic Assessment

Accepted Answer

Evaluation method that requires students to apply their knowledge and skills to real-world tasks.

Question 8

Intrinsic Motivation

Accepted Answer

Motivation that comes from within the learner, driven by personal interest or enjoyment in the task itself.

Question 9

Extrinsic Motivation

Accepted Answer

Motivation that comes from outside the learner, driven by rewards or avoidance of punishment.

Question 10

Multiple Intelligences

Accepted Answer

Theory proposed by Howard Gardner suggesting that there are different types of intelligence, such as linguistic, logical-mathematical, musical, spatial, bodily-kinesthetic, interpersonal, intrapersonal, and naturalistic.

Question 11

Metacognition

Accepted Answer

Awareness and understanding of one's own thought processes.

Question 12

Scaffolding

Accepted Answer

Support given during the learning process which is tailored to the needs of the student with the intention of helping the student achieve his/her learning goals.

Question 13

Standardized Test

Accepted Answer

Test that is administered and scored in a consistent manner to ensure legal defensibility of the results.

Question 14

Individualized Education Plan (IEP)

Accepted Answer

A written plan designed to meet a child's unique educational needs, as required by Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

Question 15

Prior Knowledge Activation

Accepted Answer

Using what learners already know to help them make connections and understand new material.

Question 16

Cognitive Load

Accepted Answer

The amount of mental effort being used in the working memory.

Question 17

Direct Instruction

Accepted Answer

A teaching method where the teacher provides clear, detailed instructions and then guides students through practice.

Question 18

Inquiry-based Learning

Accepted Answer

A student-centered, active learning approach focusing on questioning, critical thinking, and problem-solving.

Question 19

Pedagogy

Accepted Answer

The art, science, or profession of teaching.

Question 20

Andragogy

Accepted Answer

The method and practice of teaching adult learners.

Question 21

Universal Design for Learning (UDL)

Accepted Answer

A teaching approach to help all students be successful, focusing on providing multiple means of engagement, representation, and action & expression.

Question 22

English Language Learner (ELL)

Accepted Answer

A student who is in the process of acquiring English and has a first language other than English.

Question 23

Phonemic Awareness

Accepted Answer

The ability to hear, identify, and manipulate the individual sounds in spoken words.

Question 24

Phonics

Accepted Answer

Method of teaching reading and spelling that stresses symbol-sound relationships.

Question 25

Whole Language Approach

Accepted Answer

Literacy instruction method which emphasizes the meaning and strategy behind the decoding of words.

Question 26

Decoding

Accepted Answer

The ability to apply knowledge of letter-sound relationships to correctly pronounce written words.

Question 27

Comprehension

Accepted Answer

The ability to understand and interpret what is being read.

Question 28

Critical Thinking

Accepted Answer

The ability to think clearly and rationally, understanding the logical connection between ideas.

Question 29

Information Literacy

Accepted Answer

The ability to identify, locate, evaluate, and effectively use information.

Question 30

Digital Literacy

Accepted Answer

The ability to use information and communication technologies to find, evaluate, create, and communicate information.

Question 31

Dependent Variable

Accepted Answer

In an experimental setting, the variable that is measured or observed for changes as a result of the manipulation of the independent variable.

Question 32

Control Group

Accepted Answer

The group in an experimental design that does not receive the treatment or intervention and is used as a benchmark against which to measure the effects of the intervention.

Question 33

Experimental Group

Accepted Answer

The group in an experimental design that receives the treatment or intervention.

Question 34

Random Sampling

Accepted Answer

A method of selecting individuals from a population where each individual has an equal chance of being selected.

Question 35

Confirmation Bias

Accepted Answer

The tendency to search for, interpret, favor, and recall information in a way that confirms one's preexisting beliefs or hypotheses.

Question 36

Ethical Guidelines in Research

Accepted Answer

Principles and standards that guide researchers to conduct studies ethically, ensuring respect, integrity, and confidentiality for participants.

Question 37

Quantitative Research

Accepted Answer

Empirical research in which the data are in the form of numbers and is often used to test or confirm theories.

Question 38

Qualitative Research

Accepted Answer

Empirical research in which the data are in the form of words rather than numbers and is often used to understand and interpret social interactions.

Question 39

Mixed Methods Research

Accepted Answer

Research that combines quantitative and qualitative approaches to collecting and analyzing data.

Question 40

Normal Distribution

Accepted Answer

A probability function that describes how the values of a variable are distributed: it is symmetrical, bell-shaped, and characterized by its mean and standard deviation.

Question 41

Standard Deviation

Accepted Answer

A measure of the amount of variation or dispersion in a set of values.

Question 42

Inferential Statistics

Accepted Answer

Procedures used to draw conclusions about larger populations from small samples of data.

Question 43

Descriptive Statistics

Accepted Answer

Procedures used to summarize, organize, and simplify data.

Question 44

Correlation

Accepted Answer

Statistical measure that describes the degree to which two variables move in relation to each other.

Question 45

Regression Analysis

Accepted Answer

A statistical method used for the estimation of relationships among variables.

Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators: Essential Concepts Iowa