Threshold concept
A key concept which, once understood, can transform the student’s perception of the area of study, and without which the student’s learning cannot progress
VLE
Virtual Learning Environment – an online system that allows teachers to share resources with students via the internet
Validity
In assessment, the degree to which a particular assessment measures what it is intended to measure, and the extent to which proposed interpretations and uses are justified
TIMSS
Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study – a series of international assessments of the mathematics and science knowledge of students around the world
Teachmeet
An organised but informal event to bring teachers together and share practice
Transfer
The processes of applying learning to new situations
Virtual learning environment
An online system that allows teachers to share resources with students via the internet
Meta-analysis
A quantitative study design used to systematically assess the results of multiple studies in order to draw conclusions about that body of research
Neuromyths
Common misconceptions about the brain
Overlearning
Engaging in repeated practice of concepts beyond the point where a learner has already understood the key idea
Peer-reviewed journal
A journal in which research papers are evaluated by experts in the field
Teaching Assistant
An adult that assists a teacher in the classroom
Spacing effect
The benefit to learning of including gaps between study and revision sessions
SENCO
A special educational needs coordinator – a teacher who is responsible for special educational needs at school
Pupil Premium
Additional funding for publicly funded schools in England to raise the attainment of disadvantaged pupils of all abilities
Programme for International Student Assessment
Abbreviated to PISA, a worldwide study by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), intended to evaluate educational systems by measuring 15-year-old school students’ knowledge and skills
TA
Teaching Assistant – an adult that assists the teacher in the classroom
Scaffolding
Progressively introducing students to new concepts to support their learning
PISA
The Programme for International Student Assessment, a worldwide study by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), intended to evaluate educational systems by measuring 15-year-old school students’ knowledge and skills
Reliability
In assessment, the degree to which the outcome of a particular assessment would be consistent – for example, if it were marked by a different marker or taken again
