China NTCE Primary Teacher - independent educational foundations study materials
China NTCE Primary Teacher - independent educational foundations study resources

China NTCE Primary Teacher - independent educational foundations key terms

China NTCE Primary Teacher - independent educational foundations · Get comfortable with the vocabulary.

Alignment

The connection among an intended learning objective, instructional activity and the evidence used to judge whether the objective was achieved.

Scaffolding

Temporary support adjusted to a learner’s actual task and gradually reduced as independence develops, without automatically changing the target capability.

Transfer

Use of knowledge or skill in a changed context, which requires more evidence than repeating the wording of a familiar example.

Formative evidence

Information used during learning to identify next steps, whose educational function is not established merely by assigning or withholding a mark.

Diagnostic assessment

Evidence gathered to investigate relevant prior knowledge or difficulties, interpreted with context rather than as a complete label of ability.

Reliability

Consistency of a measurement under specified conditions, which does not by itself prove that the intended interpretation is valid.

Validity

The support for a particular interpretation and use of assessment results, dependent on evidence and purpose rather than a universal test label.

Differentiation

Adjustment of tasks or support to relevant learner needs, avoiding fixed stereotypes and preserving clarity about the intended objective.

Inclusive participation

Meaningful access and contribution supported by attention to barriers, not merely the formal offer of identical materials to everyone.

Reinforcement

A consequence defined by an increase in future behavior under the relevant conditions, rather than by whether an adult regards it as pleasant.

Negative reinforcement

Removal or avoidance of a condition that increases a behavior, distinguished from punishment by its effect on future behavior.

Punishment

A consequence defined by a reduction in a behavior, which must be distinguished from negative reinforcement and considered within ethical and legal limits.

Self-efficacy

A belief about one’s capacity for a specific task, which can influence engagement without being identical to skill, self-esteem or guaranteed success.

Metacognition

Monitoring and regulation of one’s own thinking and learning, including recognizing a gap and selecting an appropriate strategy.

Intrinsic motivation

Engagement related to interest or satisfaction in the activity itself, distinguished from engagement directed only toward a separable external outcome.

Learning objective

A statement of the knowledge or capability sought, which must be distinguished from the activity used to pursue it.

Routine

A predictable procedure supporting coordinated activity, whose purpose and flexibility should relate to learning, access and dignity.

Professional boundary

A limit supporting appropriate educational relationships and responsibilities, including recognition of needs that require another qualified role.

Safeguarding

Organized protection of learners from harm through the applicable local framework, without assuming one universal reporting procedure or deadline.

Confidentiality

Appropriate protection of sensitive information subject to relevant purposes and obligations, not a promise of absolute secrecy in every circumstance.

Conflict of interest

A situation in which another interest may compromise or appear to compromise professional judgment, requiring transparent handling under the applicable rules.

Delegation

Assignment of tasks or responsibilities within an authorized arrangement, which does not automatically remove all accountability from the delegating role.

Implementation

The practical enactment of a plan, involving resources, interpretation and participation that can differ from the original written design.

Outcome

A result relevant to the intended purpose, distinguished from a completed activity or output that may not demonstrate the desired change.

Budget commitment

An obligation or reservation against planned resources, which can affect the usable balance before an actual cash payment occurs.

Reconciliation

Comparison and resolution of differences between related records, supporting accurate accounting rather than merely copying one record into another.

Audit trail

The documented link from a transaction or decision to relevant evidence, authorization and recording, allowing later review of its basis.

Percentage point

The arithmetic difference between percentages, distinct from a relative percentage change computed against a stated starting percentage.

Counterfactual

The outcome that would have occurred under an alternative condition, which cannot automatically be read from one before-and-after observation.

Reflective practice

Deliberate examination of action and evidence to improve professional judgment, rather than repeating experience without testing its assumptions.