Towards a natural history of educational words

Definitions and Confusions

Education has its own vocabulary.    Words may be obscure or unfamiliar.    They may be used with precision, or just create confusion.

What is the different between a school, college, academy, institute or centre?

Or between a teacher, trainer, tutor, instructor, mentor or coach?

How does open learning differ from flexible, online, blended or e-learning?

Terminological Impenetrability

And then there is the jargon:  blended learning, asynchronous support, or formative assessment;   big words to deter the uninitiated.

. . . and Political Incorrectness

Words don't just inform.   They also persuade.   Education is political.    And politicians love spin, love to stretch meanings to convey their favoured message, to hide the unpalatable behind a welcoming word.

Terms go in and out of fashion.    Education is succeeded by training, only to be overtaken by learning.    Learning itself moves from being computer-based to online to e- to blended to . . .

A Guide?

This is not a comprehensive or definitive guide, nor a set of recommendations.    It has not been formally blessed or sanctioned by ODL QC.

It is a set of personal observations on how words are used.    I hope you find it informative, perhaps even diverting.

The Lexicon Index lists the words covered.    Wherever possible, cross links have been included on individual pages.

It remains "work in progress".    It probably always will.    Languages evolve; meanings change.    So if you have any comments or criticisms, let me know at david@odlqc.org.uk

Thanks.