Letter A Teaching Terms

Access; Accessibility
Arrangements provided to ensure the opportunity for individuals to participate in an institution; often refers to the Arrangements offered to students with disabilities to ensure maximum opportunity.

Accountability
Processes used to demonstrate that institutions and individuals have fulfilled their obligations.

Accreditation
Formal procedure of gaining certification for a particular program or institution.

Action learning set
Cooperative learning activity where small groups of students work to identify what action should be taken to address a real world problem.

Action research
A research methodology designed to have subjects, in particular teachers, to investigate an element of a particular activity which the aim of determining whether the changes can produce effective and positive improvements, especially student learning.

Activation of prior knowledge
A constructivist instructional strategy aimed at having students access their own prior knowledge in order to develop meaning by combining new information with their own previous knowledge.

Active learning methods
Learning methods that focus on ensure learners play and active role in the process of learning instead of passively receiving information.

Added value
Additional benefit gained by the use of specific factors in teaching, learning or administration activities.

Adult and continuing education
Education geared to the needs of mature students, especially during their working lives.

Adult learning
Formal education geared to individuals classified as adults, typically over the age of 18; includes education provided by institutions of higher education but may also include informal training of workers or others in the development of a specific skill set or knowledge.

Aesthetic Response
An affective or emotional response a person has to material, which is based on the individual's background knowledge, attitudes, and experiences.

Affective domain
The emotional aspect of experience and learning.

Annotated bibliographies
Bibliographies that include a summary description of the works listed.

Accreditation of Prior (Experiential) Learning (AP(E)L)
Mechanism for recognizing and giving credit for knowledge and skills gained in ways other than traditional courses such as work or life experiences; typically it is evaluated by the completion of a portfolio.

Aptitude test
Standardized test designed to assess an individual's potential to acquire and/or develop knowledge or skills.

Appraisal
A formalized evaluation, typically a face-to-face meeting, of an individual's or learner's progress and performance intending to identify strengths and weakness and improve future performance..

Assessment
The process of evaluating and measure an individuals achievement; typically done with assessment tools such as assignments or examinations.

Assignment return sheets
Forms used to provide written comments regarding assignments completed by students.

Asynchronous communication
Communication that takes place either when communication between participants occurs at different times. Participants often are also in different locations. Contrasted with synchronous communication.

>Teaching terms that begin with the letter: B