A practice of having one device per student in the classroom for enhanced learning opportunities, with the goal of making learning more individualized.
Education Glossary for Parents
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1-to-1 programs
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Academic fluency
In the language of the Common Core, "academic fluency" means being able to accomplish the tasks described in the standards capably and with limited support.
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Blended learning
A pedagogical model that combines online and teacher-led learning and supports a degree of student control over the time, place, path, and/or pace of the learning experience.
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Tools, materials, or resources being aligned to particular skills outlined in the Common Core State Standards.
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A set of tools that help teachers and schools set meaningful milestones for student learning. It is not a national, standardized curriculum for all schools. Its stated aim is to "establish clear, consistent guidelines for what every student should know and be able to do in math and English language arts from kindergarten through 12th grade."
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Course/content management system (CMS)
A platform for organizing and managing all digital resources for class discussion, course assignments, homework submission, and course scheduling.
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Curriculum
The particular subjects, materials, and content covered in a course of study (e.g., unit, semester, school year).
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Differentiated instruction
The adjustment and adaptation of instructional methodology, programs, and materials to address individual students' learning styles, ability levels, and developmental needs.
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Digital citizenship
The practice of navigating the digital world safely, responsibly, and respectfully.
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Digital literacy
Competency in using technology, including interpreting and understanding digital content and assessing its credibility as well as creating, researching, and communicating with appropriate tools.
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Educational standards
The learning goals for what students should know and be able to do at each grade level. Educational standards help teachers ensure that their students have the skills and knowledge they need to be successful in the next grade, while also helping parents understand what academic achievements are expected of their children.
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Flipped classroom
A model in which students access directed teaching (lectures) at home, usually through videos, and then spend their classroom time applying skills through inquiry-based learning in a collaborative space and with the facilitation of, and feedback from, an instructor.
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Gamification
A strategy for engaging students more deeply in learning through game design principles and mechanics (can be tech-oriented or non-tech-oriented).
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Individualized learning
Personalized learning strategies and goals that target an individual's strengths and weaknesses, often encouraging a student's ownership of the learning process/experience.
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Informal learning
Learning that takes place outside a dedicated learning environment and is delivered in flexible and informal ways, often focused on the interests of the student.
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Informational texts
Factual texts from history, social studies, science, and technical subjects. The Common Core State Standards emphasize developing reading skills across all these subjects in addition to reading literature.
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Learning and attention issues
A broad term that describes a range of challenges with reading, writing, math, organization, concentration, listening comprehension, social skills, or motor skills or a combination of these. Sometimes an issue is called a "learning difference," "learning disorder," or "learning disability" (or an issue can be referred to as being a "special need").
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Learning management system (LMS)
A platform for the administration, documentation, delivery, tracking, and reporting of online learning activities and courses/content.
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Maker movement
A growing engineering-minded movement that focuses on building and inventing innovative tools and objects, often from simple or cast-off materials. Robotics, 3-D printing, metalworking, woodworking, and electronics all are elements of this growing national movement in schools and at home.
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Mobile learning
Learning methods and materials that involve the use of mobile phones or hand-held devices; capitalizes on the notions of "just in time" learning and learning "anytime, anywhere."
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Personalized learning
The content, pace, structure, and goals of instruction varying depending on the individual student's learning habits.
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Phonics
The system of relationships between letters and their sounds. The Common Core State Standards include an emphasis on studying phonics.
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Phonology
The system of relationships between speech sounds in a language. Kids mastering language and reading need to develop phonemic awareness to further develop skills for reading, writing, and spelling.
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"Range, Quality, and Complexity"
Standard No. 10 for all the English language arts Common Core State Standards. The standard means that, by the end of each grade level, kids should "read and comprehend" texts that are of high quality (across literature, literary nonfiction, and informational texts); that represent a range of topics, authors, and perspectives; and that are complex enough to be appropriate for students at the targeted grade level. Read more about this particular standard -- and how these three factors are measured -- on the Common Core State Standards website.
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Self-awareness
The ability to identify, name, and explain one's emotions. Young children begin to develop skills for self-awareness early, and they continue to develop these skills throughout childhood and adolescence.
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Self-management
The ability to regulate one's behavior. Kids develop self-management skills throughout their early childhood and adolescent years, and they progress from simple self-management skills such as listening and sitting to tougher tasks such as setting and achieving goals.
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SMART Board
An interactive whiteboard used in the classroom. Teachers project an image from a device onto a special touch-sensitive screen, and teachers and students use a special stylus and their hands to write, draw, and interact with the projected image. SMART is one brand of interactive whiteboards; several are available for use in schools.
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Social-emotional learning
Learning that deals with understanding and managing emotions. Helps kids understand and manage their emotions and understand, interpret, and respond appropriately to others' reactions, as well as develop empathy for others.
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Explore other guides
Thanks to the following organizations for contributing content to this guide: The National PTA and Parent Toolkit.