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Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.
Glossary
constructivism. Taking new knowledge and
interacting with it by forming hypotheses,
testing it, and making decisions on whether or
not to add it to one’s learning. (6)
context. Includes past experiences, knowledge,
and current reality. (6)
controversy. Discussion marked by opposing
views. (11)
cooperating teacher. A classroom teacher who
supervises and mentors the student teacher. (2)
cooperative learning. A form of small-group
learning in which students work together to
achieve a common goal. (12)
copyright. The body of exclusive rights granted
by laws of the United States to copyright
owners for protection of their work. (13)
corporate trainers. Teachers who provide education
to the employees of businesses and industries. (1)
corporate-education partnership. An expanded
and more formal relationship between schools
and businesses, especially large corporations,
in which the businesses “adopt” the schools to
help in a variety of ways. (5)
course evaluation. Making judgments about
how well a course meets its goals and what
improvements would make it better. (14)
course plan. A detailed outline of what a
particular teacher will teach throughout a
course or year based on curriculum but
adapted to the characteristics of the teacher,
students, and teaching circumstances. (11)
critical thinking. Allows people to gather
information, evaluate its quality, and use it
effectively. Also called higher-order thinking
skills. (12)
curriculum. The courses taught in a school,
what is taught in each course, and how the
courses are sequenced. (1)
curriculum developer. A person who helps
develop course content in a program of
study or specific course; also known as an
instructional coordinator. (1)
curriculum development. Determining what to
teach in each course and at each level. (11)
cyberbullying. Intimidation through e-mail,
social networking sites, and texting. (5)
D
dame schools. Schools in the colonies where
students were taught by women in their own
homes. (3)
development. The gradual increase in skills and
abilities that occurs over a lifetime. (6)
developmental delay. A noticeable lag in a
particular aspect of development. (7)
developmental disabilities. A group of
conditions (physical, intellectual, or behavioral)
that can severely impact learning. (1)
developmental theories. Explanations
formulated by researchers about why people
act and behave the way they do and how they
change over time. (6)
dexterity. The skillful use of the hands and
fingers. (7)
differentiated instruction. Different modes
of instruction to match a student’s preferred
mode of learning, disability, or background. (9)
differentiated instructional method. Using
different techniques of instruction to match
a student’s preferred mode of learning,
disability, or background. (12)
direct learning. A method of teaching in which
a teacher tells students what to learn and
provides all the structure for the learning to
take place. (10)
disposable income. Money to spend on things
people want, not just need. (3)
distance education. A learning situation in
which the teacher and student are not in the
same location. (13)
diversity. The distinct and unique differences
among people. (1)
dual-credit courses. College- or university-level
courses in which high school students enroll
and, on successful completion of the courses,
simultaneously earn both high school and
postsecondary credits. These may be taught
in a high school or at a college or university.
These credits may be transferrable to another
college or university the student chooses to
attend after high school graduation. (16)
E
educational standards. Guidelines defining
what students at various levels should know
and be able to do. Statements about what
students are expected to know and be able to
do at certain points in their education. They
are set by national organizations, states,
and many school districts. Sometimes called
instructional goals. (4, 11)