Glossary of Terms:

 

Autonomy: 'the ability to take charge of one's learning'. Retrieved from: http://iteslj.org/Articles/Thanasoulas-Autonomy.html

 

Independent learning:  Independent learning or ’self-directed learning’ describes a process by which individuals take the initiative, with our without the assistance of others, in diagnosing their learning needs, formulating learning goals, identify human and material resources for learning, choosing and implement appropriate learning strategies, and evaluating learning outcomes.” (Knowles, 1975, p. 18) Retrieved from: http://www.selfdirectedlearning.org/what-is-self-directed-learning

 

Leaning styles: Learning styles group common ways that people learn. Everyone has a mix of learning styles. Some people may find that they have a dominant style of learning, with far less use of the other styles. Others may find that they use different styles in different circumstances. There is no right mix. Nor are your styles fixed. You can develop ability in less dominant styles, as well as further develop styles that you already use well. Retrieved from: http://www.learning-styles-online.com/overview/

 

Multiple Intelligences: Howard Gardner of Harvard has identified seven distinct intelligences. This theory has emerged from recent cognitive research and "documents the extent to which students possess different kinds of minds and therefore learn, remember, perform, and understand in different ways," according to Gardner (1991). According to this theory, "we are all able to know the world through language, logical-mathematical analysis, spatial representation, musical thinking, the use of the body to solve problems or to make things, an understanding of other individuals, and an understanding of ourselves. Where individuals differ is in the strength of these intelligences - the so-called profile of intelligences -and in the ways in which such intelligences are invoked and combined to carry out different tasks, solve diverse problems, and progress in various domains." Retrieved from: http://www.tecweb.org/styles/gardner.html

 

Learning strategies: Learning strategies are used by students to help them understand information and solve problems. A learning strategy is a person's approach to learning and using information. Students who do not know or use good learning strategies often learn passively and ultimately fail in school. Learning strategy instruction focuses on making the students more active learners by teaching them how to learn and how to use what they have learned to solve problems and be successful. Retrieved from:  http://www.ku-crl.org/sim/strategies.shtml

 

Cognitive learning strategies: Cognitive strategies are useful tools in assisting students with learning problems. The term "cognitive strategies" in its simplest form is the use of the mind (cognition) to solve a problem or complete a task. Cognitive strategies may also be referred to as procedural facilitators (Bereiter & Scardamalia, 1987), procedural prompts (Rosenshine, 1997) orscaffolds (Palincsar & Brown, 1984). Retrieved from: http://www.specialconnections.ku.edu/?q=instruction/cognitive_strategies

 

Metacognitive learning strategies: Metacognition represents a strategy of acquiring knowledge, namely the ability to understand your method for learning and assimilating information. It concerns "the knowledge of your thoughts," in addition to how various factors influence psychological thought processing. Metacognitive learning strategy offers help for individuals who struggle to analyze, utilize, memorize and/or retain information. Retrieved from:  http://www.ehow.com/way_5461091_metacognitive-learning

strategy.html?ref=Track2&utm_source=ask

 

Communicative competence: as speaker's internalized knowledge both of the grammatical rules of a language and of the rules for  appropriate use in social contexts. Retrieved from: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Communicative%20competence?s=t

 

Language skills: When we learn a language, there are four skills that we need for complete communication. When we learn our native language, we usually learn to listen first, then to speak, then to read, and finally to write. These are called the four "language skills". Retrieved from: https://www.englishclub.com/learn-english/language-skills.htm

 

Language subskills: Skills such as pronunciation, vocabulary use, spelling, etc. that contribute to success with the primary skills. Retrieved from: http://americanenglish.state.gov/files/ae/resource_files/module3integratingskills.pdf