Praxis PLT Flashcards
Social Cognitive Theory
Social Cognitive Theory is a framework for understanding learning that emphasizes the importance of observing, modeling, and imitating the behaviors, attitudes, and emotional reactions of others.
For example, in the classroom, a teacher might use social cognitive theory by demonstrating a math problem-solving technique while thinking aloud, allowing students to observe and then practice the technique themselves, thereby learning through observation and imitation.
Blooms Taxonomy - Remember 1
Recall facts and basic concepts.
Remember: “Can you list three things that cowboys did in their daily lives?”
Negative Punishment
Remove something desirable to decrease the likelihood that the behavior will be repeated.
Negative Reinforcement
Remove something undesirable to increase the likelihood that the behavior will be repeated.
Analytic Rubric
An analytic rubric is an assessment tool that breaks down student work into distinct criteria, each evaluated separately to provide a detailed, criterion-specific feedback and score.
For example, in a science project presentation, an analytic rubric might separately score aspects such as the clarity of the hypothesis (10 points), the thoroughness of the research (15 points), the accuracy of the data (15 points), the quality of the visual aids (10 points), and the effectiveness of the oral presentation (10 points).
Holistic Rubric
A holistic rubric is an assessment tool that evaluates student work as a whole based on overall quality, proficiency, or understanding, rather than through individual components or criteria.
For example, in a creative writing assignment, a holistic rubric might rate a story as “Excellent” if it engages the reader, demonstrates a strong voice, and maintains a coherent structure, without separately scoring the plot, grammar, and character development.
Developmental Rubric
A developmental rubric is an assessment tool that measures student progress by outlining stages of development or growth in specific skills or competencies over time.
For example, in a reading comprehension course, a developmental rubric might evaluate students at different levels, such as “Beginning” for identifying basic facts, “Developing” for summarizing main ideas, “Proficient” for making inferences, and “Advanced” for critically analyzing and synthesizing information from multiple texts.
Americans with Disabilities Act
The ADA was enacted in Congress in 1990. It prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities.
Validity
Most important quality of a good assessment. It is necessary that the assessment accurately measure what it was intended to measure.
Social Cognitive Perspective
The social cognitive perspective believes that learning is done through observation and is an internal process. This theory was coined by Albert Bandura.
Blooms Taxonomy - Understand 2
Explain ideas or concepts
Understand: “Why did cowboys need to move cattle from one place to another?”
Blooms Taxonomy - Apply 3
Use info in new situations.
Apply: “Can you show how a cowboy would lasso a cow using this rope?”
Blooms Taxonomy - Analyze 4
Draw connections among ideas.
Analyze: “How are the tools used by cowboys similar to and different from the tools used by farmers?”
Blooms Taxonomy - Evaluate 5
Justify a position or decision.
“Do you think being a cowboy was an easy job or a hard job? Why?”
Blooms Taxonomy - Create 6
Produce new or original work.
“Can you write a short story or draw a picture about a day in the life of a cowboy?”
Blooms Taxonomy - RUAAEC
Remember
Understand
Apply
Analyze
Evaluate
Create
Classical Conditioning
associates a naturally occurring reflex with a prior neutral stimulus.
Operant conditioning
involves learning from reinforcement or punishment.
An example is Joe, who is rewarded by hugs and smiles from the grandmother whenever he compliments her. It involves learning through engaging in behavior attached to a reward or punishment.
Behaviors that are punished are avoided, and those rewarded are repeated.
self-efficacy
associated with ALbert Bandura’s social cognitive theory, belief in ones own ability to produce desired results (what they want) through their actions
vicarious learning
Example:
Jose is in a casino. He sees his friends Amy and Sandra win money at a nearby slot machine. Amy and Sandra cheer and clap. Jose wants to feel the same excitement, so he sits down at a slot machine and begins to gamble.
Bandura’s reciprocal causation model focuses on continuous interaction between which three factors?
constructivism
the idea that students should be active in the learning process
also based on the idea that students construct their learning on past knowledge, and that reasoning plays an important role in the learning process.
Who was Jerome Bruner?
Developing ideas like scaffolding theory and the spiral curriculum, Jerome Bruner was inspired by Leo Vgotsky who stressed that social environment and interactions in learning.
Progressive Education:
Progressive education holds that children learn by doing rather than memorizing.
Dewey believed children need to interact with their environment to adapt and learn, viewing the classroom as more of a laboratory than a lecture hall.
His learner-centered approach focuses on putting the child’s activities at the forefront of curricular design.
Interdisciplinary and problem-based learning are associated with what theory of education?
John Dewey’s Progressive Education
What theory of learning is John Piaget known for?
the theory of cognitive development
Children progress through four stages.. The stages are sensorimotor, preoperational, concrete operational, and formal operational.
What is stage 1 of Piaget’s theory of cognitive development? (age range/main goal)
Sensorimotor
Birth-24 months years old
Goal: object permanence
Could Perform:
Object Permanence: A child can understand that objects continue to exist even when they are out of sight. For example, if you hide a toy under a blanket, the child will look for it under the blanket.
Goal-Directed Actions: A child might push a button to hear a sound or pull a string to move a toy closer.
Could Not Perform:
Deferred Imitation: Early in this stage, a child might not be able to imitate actions they have seen before. For example, they may not be able to replicate a simple sequence of actions they saw someone else do hours earlier.
What is stage 2 of Piaget’s theory of cognitive development? (age range/main goal)
Preoperational
2-7 years old
Goal: Development of symbolic thinking
Characterized by egocentrism
perceptual cues
ould Perform:
Symbolic Play: A child can engage in pretend play, using objects to represent something else (e.g., a stick becomes a sword).
Egocentric Thinking: A child understands the world only from their own perspective. They might describe a picture from their viewpoint, assuming you see what they see.
Could Not Perform:
Conservation Tasks: A child cannot understand that quantity remains the same despite changes in shape or appearance. For example, if you pour water from a short, wide cup into a tall, thin cup, they may think the amount of water has changed.
What is stage 3 of Piaget’s theory of cognitive development? (age range/main goal)
Concrete Operational
7-11 years old
Goal: Think logically about world, declining egocentrism, understand conservation (capability of recognizing the unchanging characteristic of an object)
Could Perform:
Logical Thinking: A child can solve problems logically as long as they apply to concrete objects or events. For example, they can understand that 5+3 is the same as 3+5.
Conservation Tasks: A child can understand that quantity remains constant despite changes in shape or appearance.
Could Not Perform:
Abstract Thinking: A child cannot think abstractly or hypothetically. They may struggle with concepts that do not have physical, concrete examples. For instance, understanding abstract algebra or theoretical physics concepts is beyond their capacity.
What is stage 4 of Piaget’s theory of cognitive development? (age range/main goal)
Formal Operational
11-Adult
Goal: abstract thinking & scienctific thinking.
Could Perform:
Abstract Thinking: A child can think abstractly and reason about hypothetical situations. For example, they can discuss moral dilemmas or theoretical ideas.
Hypothetical-Deductive Reasoning: A child can form hypotheses and systematically test them. They can plan an experiment to test a scientific theory.
Could Not Perform:
Consistent Logical Errors: At this stage, they should not make consistent logical errors in reasoning about abstract concepts. If they do, it might indicate they have not fully transitioned into formal operational thinking.
What learning theory is Kohlberg associated with?
stages of moral development, provides insight into the decision-making process when individuals are presented with moral choices.
What is the pre conventional stage of Kohlberg’s moral development?
Kohlberg’s preconventional stage refers to moral decisions being made in response to consequence - punishment and reward.
Children in this stage obey authority figures to avoid punishment and encourage reward.
Positive Punishment
Add something undesirable to decrease the likelihood that the behavior will be repeated.
Positive Reinforcement
Add something desirable to increase the likelihood that the behavior will be repeated.
What are the five branches of educational psychology? (BCCDSC)
behavioral, cognitive, developmental, social cognitive and constructivist.
What is the branch of educational psychology where learning & behavior are described in terms of stimulus and behavior relationships?
Behavioral
What is the branch of educational psychology where it is purported the environment influences behavior?
Behavioral
What is the branch of educational psychology that focuses on external observable events rather than internal or non-observable states (belief, desire, ideas etc.)?
Behavioral
What is the branch of educational psychology that insists that learning must involve a behavioral change?
Behavioral
What is the branch of educational psychology that focuses on how people percieve, remember, think, speak and problem solve?
Cognitive
Jean Piaget, Lev Vygotsky, Noam Choksky, & Jerome Bruner all held to which branch of educational psycholody?
Cognitive
What is the branch of educational psychology that studies change that occurs in learners over the course of a long period of time?
Developmental
Jean Piaget, Erik Erikson, Lawrence Kohlberg and james Marcia all held to which branch of educational psycholody?
Developmental
What is the branch of educational psychology that holds that learning comes from observing others?
Social-cognitive
What is the branch of educational psychology that focuses on how people that holds that learning comes from observation and is an internal process?
Social-cognitive
What is the branch of educational psychology that learning is directed to certain behaviors (we have goals and fufill those goals)?
Social-cognitive
What is the branch of educational psychology that l insists that observing punishment and rewards can indirectly impact the behavior of the observer?
Social-cognitive
What is the branch of educational psychology that proposes the idea that the learner constructs, rather than absorbs, knowledge from his or her experiences?
Constructivism
Which educational psychology branch holds these principles to be true:
- The learner is self-directed, creative and innovative.
- The learner is encouraged to learn truths about the environment and the world by arriving at conclusions based on his or her background, culture or worldview.
- The responsibility of learning falls primarily on the learner, while the teacher’s role is that of a facilitator.
- Collaborative learning is also a key component of this perspective.
Constructivism
What is an organizational choice & how does it motivate students? Give an example.
Organizational choices are those in which students get to choose methods of forming or shaping their learning experiences. The example above of students choosing their own seating can be an organizational choice. Teachers can also allow organizational choices such as:
- Choosing work partners or groupings
- Choosing where to work in a classroom, such as in a quiet area or at a busy work table
- Choosing where to stand in line, like quietly next to a buddy or near someone less tempting to talk to
- Choosing which materials to put in a desk basket, like number of pencils or sticky notes
- Choosing jobs for the classroom and procedures for getting work finished
What is an cognitive choice & how does it motivate students? Give an example.
Cognitive choices are those in which students actively think about aspects of learning and make choices.
Let’s imagine Kelly is teaching her students about the Civil War. She could create an activity in which students brainstorm options that may have solved the problems that led up to the war and debate them with one another. Or she could allow them to design their own project work to show their understanding of the causes of the war.
What is an procedural choice & how does it motivate students? Give an example.
Procedural choices in a classroom are those that involve how things are done.
Instead of giving all students a list of 20 spelling words, Kelly could allow students to choose words from a preapproved list. She could let them decide methods of practicing the spelling words instead of assigning the same procedures each week. Instead of writing sentences on Monday and definitions on Tuesday, she could create a list of possible exercises and allow students to choose the method they think will most benefit them.
What is intellectual freedom and give an example?
library materials may not be censored based on political or religious objections.
What is a student’s right under the Fourth Amendment?
prohibits illegal search and seizure; however, if a school has reasonable suspicion, the courts have ruled that schools may search their belongings.
What is the Family Educational Rights & Privacy Act (FERPA)?
protects a student’s right to have educational records kept confidential from those who do not have a legitimate reason to view them.
What is the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)?
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) ensures that students with disabilities have equal access to a free and appropriate public education from age three to twenty-two.
How did the U.S. Supreme Court rule in Plyler v. Doe?
It held that undocumented students cannot be denied a free public education.
What is the purpose of a CogAT test?
The purpose of the CogAT (Cognitive Abilities Test) is to assess the reasoning and problem-solving abilities of students. It measures three main areas:
- Verbal Reasoning: Evaluates understanding and use of language, including vocabulary, sentence structure, and comprehension.
- Quantitative Reasoning: Assesses numerical problem-solving skills and understanding of mathematical concepts.
- Nonverbal Reasoning: Measures the ability to solve problems using visual and spatial skills, such as recognizing patterns and relationships among shapes and figures.
The CogAT is often used by schools to identify students for gifted and talented programs, guide instructional planning, and understand students’ cognitive strengths and weaknesses.
What is a norm-referenced test?
A norm-referenced test is a type of assessment designed to compare a student’s performance to that of a larger group, known as the norm group. The purpose is to rank students and determine where they stand relative to their peers. Key features of norm-referenced tests include:
- Comparison to Peers: Scores are interpreted based on the performance of the norm group, typically represented by percentiles.
- Standardization: The test is administered and scored in a consistent, standardized manner to ensure fairness and reliability.
- Wide Range of Skills: These tests often cover a broad range of skills and knowledge areas.
Examples of norm-referenced tests include the SAT, ACT, and IQ tests. They are commonly used for purposes such as college admissions, placement in special programs, and assessing general academic achievement.
What is source evaluation and how might it impact instruction?
Source evaluation is the process of critically assessing the credibility, reliability, relevance, and accuracy of information sources. In instruction, teaching students to evaluate sources can impact learning by enhancing their critical thinking skills, ensuring they use trustworthy and accurate information in their work, and fostering informed decision-making. This practice helps students become more discerning consumers of information, which is essential in research and everyday life.
How do you evaluate an assignment based on a bell curve grading system?
Evaluating an assignment using a bell curve grading system involves calculating the mean and standard deviation of the students’ scores, then assigning grades based on their distance from the mean. Typically, scores near the mean receive average grades (C), scores significantly above the mean receive higher grades (A or B), and scores significantly below the mean receive lower grades (D or F). This method ensures a standardized distribution of grades across the class.
What are the different functions of portfolios that teachers might use for their students?
Teachers use portfolios to showcase students’ progress and achievements over time, providing a comprehensive view of their learning and development. Portfolios can also be used for assessment purposes, allowing teachers to evaluate students’ skills and understanding in a more detailed and personalized manner. Additionally, they can help students reflect on their learning journey and set future goals.
What are the steps involved in experiential learning?
The steps involved in experiential learning are:
- Concrete Experience: Engaging in a hands-on activity or real-world experience.
- Reflective Observation: Reflecting on the experience, considering what happened and why.
- Abstract Conceptualization: Forming theories or concepts based on the reflection and understanding the underlying principles.
- Active Experimentation: Applying the new knowledge or theories to new situations, testing and refining them.
These steps create a continuous learning cycle, helping students deepen their understanding and apply their learning in practical contexts.
What is intelligent adaptation?
Intelligent adaptation refers to the ability of an individual or system to adjust and respond effectively to changing environments or situations using available information and resources. In an educational context, this can mean tailoring teaching methods and materials to meet the diverse needs and learning styles of students, thereby enhancing their learning experience and outcomes.
For example, a teacher might use adaptive learning technologies that customize lessons based on each student’s progress and understanding.
What are the different ways assessments may not match learning objectives?
Assessments may not match learning objectives in several ways:
- Content Mismatch: The assessment may test topics or skills that were not covered by the learning objectives, leading to an inaccurate measure of students’ understanding.
- Skill Level Mismatch: The assessment might be too difficult or too easy, not aligning with the expected level of mastery outlined in the learning objectives.
- Format Mismatch: The type of assessment (e.g., multiple-choice, essay, practical) might not appropriately measure the specific skills or knowledge the learning objectives aim to develop.
- Focus Mismatch: The assessment might emphasize memorization rather than critical thinking or application skills intended by the learning objectives.
What is the difference between an educational and a student record?
An educational record encompasses all the documents and materials related to a student’s academic history and progress maintained by an educational institution. This can include grades, transcripts, class schedules, assessments, and disciplinary records. Educational records are used for administrative purposes, academic tracking, and compliance with educational regulations.
A student record, while often used interchangeably with educational record, typically refers to the more comprehensive collection of information that includes personal details, health records, attendance records, and any other relevant information about the student maintained by the school. Student records provide a complete overview of a student’s experience and needs within the educational environment.
What are the different types of questions on an assessment? What might each be used to assess?
What is wait time 1? What is the optimum length of wait time 1?
Wait Time 1 is the pause a teacher gives after asking a question and before calling on a student to answer. This pause allows students time to think about the question and formulate their responses.
The optimum length of Wait Time 1 is generally considered to be about 3 to 5 seconds. Research has shown that this duration improves the quality of student responses, increases participation, and enhances overall classroom engagement.
What is wait time 2? What is the optimum length of wait time 2?
Wait Time 2 is the pause a teacher gives after a student responds to a question and before the teacher or another student reacts or comments. This pause allows time for the student’s answer to be processed and considered by both the teacher and other students, encouraging deeper thinking and discussion.
The optimum length of Wait Time 2 is also around 3 to 5 seconds. This duration provides sufficient time for reflection and can lead to more thoughtful and elaborated responses from students.
What is a brain based teaching method? Provide an example.
A brain-based teaching method is an instructional approach that incorporates principles from neuroscience about how the brain learns and processes information. This method aims to create a learning environment that aligns with the natural functioning of the brain, enhancing student engagement and retention.
Example: Using Active Learning Strategies
One example of a brain-based teaching method is incorporating active learning strategies, such as collaborative group work, hands-on activities, and discussions. These strategies engage multiple areas of the brain, fostering deeper understanding and retention of information.
What is a maker space activity? Provide an example.
A maker space activity is a hands-on, creative project that encourages students to design, experiment, build, and invent as they deeply engage in science, engineering, art, and other STEAM subjects. Maker spaces provide the tools and materials needed for students to turn their ideas into tangible objects, fostering creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
Example: Building a Simple Robot
What is the blended learning approach? Provide an example.
The blended learning approach combines traditional face-to-face classroom instruction with online learning activities and digital tools. This method allows for a more personalized learning experience, giving students greater flexibility and control over the pace, place, and path of their learning.
Example: Flipped Classroom
In a flipped classroom, a common blended learning model, students first learn new content online by watching video lectures or completing interactive modules at home. Then, they come to class to engage in hands-on activities, discussions, and problem-solving exercises that reinforce and apply what they learned.
What are the different types of information transfer?
What is high road vs low road transfer?
High road and low road transfer refer to different ways in which knowledge and skills learned in one context are applied to another.
Low Road Transfer:
Definition: This occurs when a skill or knowledge learned in one situation is directly applied to a similar situation without much thought. It relies on automaticity and is often seen in routine tasks.
Example: A student learns to type on a computer keyboard in one class and is able to use the same typing skills in another class to write an essay. The situations are very similar, so the transfer is straightforward and automatic.
High Road Transfer:
Definition: This involves conscious, deliberate application of abstract knowledge or strategies learned in one context to a different, often more complex, situation. It requires deeper thinking and the ability to see connections between seemingly unrelated situations.
Example: A student learns the scientific method in a biology class and later applies the same logical reasoning process to solve a problem in a history project. The student has to think about how the method can be adapted to a new and different context.
What is negative transfer?
Negative transfer occurs when previous learning interferes with the learning or performance of a new task. This happens because the learner applies knowledge or skills from one context inappropriately to a different context, resulting in errors or reduced efficiency.
Example: If someone learns to drive a car with an automatic transmission and then struggles when trying to drive a car with a manual transmission, the habits and skills from driving the automatic car may interfere with learning to operate the clutch and gear shift of the manual car. The previous experience negatively impacts the new learning situation.
What is an example of a student’s motivation based in persistence?
An example of a student’s motivation based on persistence is a student who continually practices solving difficult math problems, even after experiencing several failures. Despite initial struggles and lower grades, the student remains determined to improve, seeking extra help from the teacher, studying additional materials, and practicing regularly. Their persistence is driven by the motivation to master the subject and achieve a better understanding, ultimately leading to improved performance over time.
What is an example of a student’s motivation based in effort?
An example of a student’s motivation based on effort is a student who dedicates extra time and energy to studying for a challenging science exam. Even though the material is difficult, the student spends hours each day reviewing notes, completing practice problems, and participating in study groups. Their motivation is evident in the consistent effort they put into understanding the content and preparing thoroughly for the exam, regardless of the difficulty.
What is an example of a student’s motivation based in choice of task?
An example of a student’s motivation based on choice of task is a student who eagerly selects a challenging book for an independent reading project because they are genuinely interested in the topic. Despite knowing that the book is more difficult than others, the student’s interest and curiosity about the subject matter drive them to engage deeply with the text, conduct further research, and complete related assignments with enthusiasm and diligence. This motivation stems from their personal interest and the satisfaction they gain from exploring a topic they are passionate about.
Under what conditions is a peer assessment most useful?
Peer assessment is most effective for assignments that involve complex, subjective, and creative outputs where multiple perspectives can enhance the evaluation process.
When a teacher is focusing on the affective domain, what are they trying to achieve?
When a teacher is focusing on the affective domain, they are trying to achieve the development of students’ attitudes, values, feelings, and emotional responses. The goal is to foster a positive learning environment that encourages students to engage emotionally and develop social and emotional skills.
What is a word mark up?
A word markup refers to annotations, comments, and revisions made directly on a document using a word processing software’s features. This tool is commonly used for editing, reviewing, and collaborating on documents.
When a teacher is focusing on the cognitive domain, what are they trying to achieve?
Cognitive Domain: This domain involves mental skills and knowledge acquisition. It includes the development of intellectual abilities and encompasses processes such as remembering, understanding, applying, analyzing, evaluating, and creating.
An example would be solving math problems or understanding scientific concepts.
When a teacher is focusing on the psychomotor domain, what are they trying to achieve?
Psychomotor Domain: This domain involves physical movement, coordination, and the use of motor skills. It includes activities that require physical coordination and the development of skills through practice and repetition.
Examples include playing a musical instrument, typing, or performing a sport.
What is Erik Erikson’s theory of psychosocial development?
The theory outlines eight stages of development that individuals go through from infancy to adulthood. Each stage presents a unique developmental challenge or crisis that individuals must resolve to develop a healthy personality and acquire virtues important for the next stage.
What is the first step in Erik Erikson’s theory of psychosocial development?
Trust vs. Mistrust (Infancy): Developing trust in caregivers and the environment.
What is the 2nd step in Erik Erikson’s theory of psychosocial development?
Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt (Early Childhood): Developing a sense of independence and self-control.
What is the 3rd step in Erik Erikson’s theory of psychosocial development?
Initiative vs. Guilt (Preschool Age): Gaining the ability to initiate activities and interact socially.
What is the 4th step in Erik Erikson’s theory of psychosocial development?
Industry vs. Inferiority (School Age): Developing a sense of competence and achievement through schoolwork and activities.
What is the 5th step in Erik Erikson’s theory of psychosocial development?
Identity vs. Role Confusion (Adolescence): Forming a strong sense of personal identity and direction.
