andragogy
The theory and methods of teaching adult learners, as distinct from children.
Example: The trainer designed the course around principles of andragogy.
C222 words · Proficient
Education & Training vocabulary — C2
Expert education vocabulary for adult learning and training design, including andragogy, psychometrics, reskilling and the microlearning and flipped classroom methods built on desirable difficulty.
22 questions
Words in this set
22psychometrics
The science of measuring mental abilities and traits, often used to design and score tests fairly.
Example:
The exam board used psychometrics to check the test was fair.
reskilling
Training workers in new skills so they can move into a different type of job.
Example:
The factory offered reskilling to staff whose roles were automated.
microlearning
Teaching delivered in very short, focused sessions, often just a few minutes long.
Example:
The app delivers microlearning lessons during a coffee break.
self-paced learning
A course structure that lets each student move through the material at their own speed.
Example:
Self-paced learning let her finish the course in half the usual time.
credentialing
The process of officially certifying that someone has met a required standard of skill or knowledge.
Example:
The new credentialing system replaced the old paper certificates.
competency-based
Describes education or training that measures progress by mastered skills, rather than time spent studying.
Example:
The programme is competency-based, so students advance once they've proven a skill.
upskilling
Teaching employees new skills to help them do their current job better.
Example:
The firm invested in upskilling so staff could use the new systems.
microcredential
A small, focused qualification that proves one specific skill.
Example:
She earned a microcredential in data analysis over one weekend course.
flipped classroom
A teaching method where students study material at home and practise it in class.
Example:
In a flipped classroom, homework is watching a video, and class time is for questions.
desirable difficulty
A challenge that makes learning harder now and better later.
Example:
Desirable difficulty is why the popular lesson often teaches least.
illusion of fluency
Mistaking ease of reading for actually having learned something.
Example:
The illusion of fluency is what makes highlighting feel productive.
transfer of learning
Applying something learned in one context to a different one.
Example:
Transfer of learning is the thing training almost never measures.
formative feedback
Comment given during learning to improve the next attempt.
Example:
Formative feedback given three weeks late is just a grade.
criterion referencing
Judging work against a fixed standard rather than against others.
Example:
Criterion referencing means everyone can pass, which alarms some people.
expertise reversal effect
Support that helps beginners but hinders people who already know.
Example:
The expertise reversal effect explains why the experienced hated the course.
worked example effect
Beginners learning more from studying solutions than solving problems.
Example:
The worked example effect was ignored and the failure rate showed it.
dual coding
Presenting the same idea in words and in pictures together.
Example:
Dual coding did more for those diagrams than any redesign.
summative moderation
Checking final marks across markers before results are issued.
Example:
Summative moderation moved eleven grades and confirmed four hundred.
validity
/vəˈlɪdəti/Whether an assessment actually measures what it claims to.
Example:
Validity was never questioned because the marking was so consistent.
reliability
/riˌlaɪəˈbɪləti/Whether an assessment gives the same result on repeat.
Example:
High reliability and low validity is the most dangerous combination.
washback
The effect an examination has on how teaching is done.
Example:
Negative washback turned the whole year into exam practice.
