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GLOSSARY

UNIT 1
Accommodation: the difference made in the learner’s mind by the process of learning new
information. (See assimilation)

Andragogy: the theory that adults learn in an intrinsically different way from children.

Assimilation: the process by which an individual learns information from the environment.

Behaviourist: term used to describe learning theories based on a stimulus and the response to
it

Classical conditioning theory: defines learning in terms of stimulus and response.

Cognitive: relating to mental processes. The word is used to describe learning theories that
that concentrate on the thinking processes of the learner and the nature of knowledge.

Experiential learning: the term used to describe a theory of a cyclical process of learning
involving action, reflection, conceptualisation and experimentation.

Humanistic: term used to describe learning theories that are focused on human personality
and social learning.

Learning curve: describes the situation where learning is rapid initially but tails off as the
learner increases their skills.

ODL: open and distance learning.

Operant conditioning: the theory that responses can be learnt from a system of rewards.

Rote learning: learning by memorising.

UNIT 2
Constructivism: the theory that knowledge is activity constructed by the learner as opposed
to being received passively from a teacher.

Scaffolding: the process whereby the teacher helps and supports the learner during the
learning process.

ZPD: the zone of proximal development, that is, the difference between what is achieved
working alone and what is achieved by working with others.

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UNIT 3
Convergent thinking: thinking that is analytical and logical, that synthesises information to
produce an answer. (See Divergent thinking)

Divergent thinking: creative thinking that draws on experience.

Extrinsic motivation: derives from the measurable reward for doing something.

Intrinsic motivation: stems form the psychological and social satisfaction of doing
something for its own sake.

Lateral thinking: an alternative, often unusual, way of looking at a problem or situation.

Self-actualisation: the achievement of one’s full potential.

Taxonomy; a classification, such as Bloom’s Taxonomy of objectives.

UNIT 5
Affective domain: having reference to feelings.

Aims: the general intentions of a programme of learning,

Bloom’s Taxonomy: a classification of objectives in the cognitive domain with six levels:
knowledge, comprehension, application, analysis, synthesis and evaluation.

Cognitive domain: having reference to knowledge.

Motor domain: having reference to physical skill.

Objectives: specify the means by which aims are achieved.

Outcomes: specify the difference that the programme of teaching and learning has made to
the learner.

UNIT 6
Asynchronous: occurring at different times.

Distance learning: forms of learning where there is physical separation of the teacher and
learner, the use of different media and sometimes, the absence of a learning group.

E-learning: refers to the use of Web resources, of electronic media for the delivery of
learning materials, of shared electronic spaces such as discussion boards, of simulations and
virtual worlds and of electronic feedback and assessment. (See online learning.)

Flexible learning: describes forms of education that respond to learners’ needs, for example
for materials or support, on an individual basis.

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Independent learning: suggests a situation in which the learner studies without tutor
intervention, taking responsibility for what, how and when they learn.

Online learning: the use of the Internet and/or a VLE to access learning materials; to interact
with the content, tutor and other learners; and to obtain support during the learning process.
(See e-learning.)

Open learning: any form of learning where learners have some choice over what, how, where
or how quickly they learn, where they obtain support and whether, when and where to have
their learning assessed.

Resource-based learning: learning in which the learner has choice over sources of
information and support.

Synchronous: occurring at the same time.

Virtual learning environment (VLE): software that enables learners and tutors to participate
in online interactions, including content delivery, communication and tracking.

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