facilitate
to assist the progress of a person or a process. The term is used to reflect the role of a teacher not as the imparter of knowledge (see instructivism) but as one who helps and supports another’s learning (see constructivism).
factor
one of the elements contributing to an event or situation. It is a useful term in educational study as it does not assume a full causal connection: a factor may influence or contribute but need not necessarily be the actual cause of some situation – other (more significant) factors may be involved.
facts
things known to be true; reality, as opposed to beliefs, theories, or possibilities.
faculty
a particular subdivision in a university such as arts faculty or science faculty, or a similar such organisational approach in a secondary school or other institution. In the US, it is a collective term for teaching staff as a whole.
faith school
a school that has a particular religious character or links to a particular church or religious group. There are both state and private schools of this type (see denominational school).
false consciousness
a term deriving from Marxist theory which describes the state whereby dominant ideology so permeates the consciousness of exploited groups that they acquiesce in, justify and perpetuate their own exploitation. Critical reflection and/or sufficient information would, in contrast, enable the exploited to perceive better their situation. Its use has been criticised as suggesting that some other (knowledgeable) person does know what is in the best interests of the exploited, a view which can be used to justify a number of illiberal actions.
falsification
the act of determining that something is false; disproving a theory. It is a key term in the philosophy of science, notably in the work of Karl Popper (1902-1994) who argued that a hypothesis or theory is only scientific if it is falsifiable, if it is logically possible to disprove it. Popper also argued that theories could hold, even if they were not proven, until such time as they were falsified, which provides a means by which science can progress without absolute proof.
fatalism
a belief that things are inevitable, or pre-determined and so unalterable. In education, typical examples would the case of entity theories of intelligence, that intelligence is fixed and cannot be affected by teaching, learning, or studying.
feasibility study
analysis or research into the practicality of a proposed plan or policy.
feedback
an evaluative response to a particular educational outcome or activity. It is also used more generally for any form of evaluative information received.
feeder school
a school whose members move on to another (higher) institution. Primary schools tend not to be described in this way any more as it represents them as subordinate or dependent. ‘Associated primary school’ has been used instead, as has ‘learning community’, to encapsulate all the linked schools in a locale.
fees
money paid to an educational institution for continued attendance and enrolment, such as to a private school or to a university.
feminism
the belief that advocates social, political and other rights for women equal to those of men. Feminist approaches to education and research would also seek to understand phenomena from a female perspective or in the light of female issues.
fieldwork
in educational research, a term used for the process of gathering evidence. In school contexts, it mostly refers to outdoor study activities in certain subject areas such as geography.
finishing school
a private girls’ school, usually for older teenagers, which focuses on social subjects and cultural activities normally associated with upper class or privileged society.
flashcard
a card, part of a set, shown to a young learner, usually to check word recognition, or to test simple arithmetical tasks.
flexible learning
approaches to learning which emphasise student choice about where, when, and how learning will take place, adapting to individual preference and convenience.
flow
a psychological term for the complete sense of fulfilment which a learner may experience when involved in activity which is interesting, rewarding, and fully engaging. It is sometimes summarised as involving self-efficacy in goal achievement
folio
a coherent body of work created by a learner, usually in one subject area (see coursework).
formal curriculum
the timetabled, official, teaching and learning activities of an educational institution, programme of study, or course (see informal curriculum).
formal operational
the final stage in Piaget’s genetic epistemology, marked by the ability to think logically and deal in abstract ideas (see concrete operational; preoperational; sensori-motor).
formative assessment
assessment used to support learning as opposed to simply measuring and recording. In this way the process and the outcomes of the evaluation are used to aid future improvement (see summative).
forms of knowledge
a term from the work of P.H.Hirst (b. 1927) for different classes of knowledge which can be identified by their having distinct concepts, logical structures, and ways of judging truth and falsity. Hirst’s views have been influential in curriculum design but are the subject of considerable criticism. Hirst identifies seven such forms of knowledge: mathematics, physical science, religion, philosophy, literature and the fine arts, moral, and interpersonal (see disciplines; domain).
foster care
arrangements for the support and upbringing of a child or young person, away from their natural home, but without adoption. It can be done within other family homes, or in a separate institution.
foundation school
In England and Wales, the name for what used to be known as grant-maintained schools. No fees are charged, they are under local authority control, but the board of governors have increased powers, allowing a degree of independence over such things as admission policy
foundationalism
any theory which holds that beliefs are justified, or can be held as true, if they are based on foundation beliefs, such as a self-evident truth, or a basic proposition which is self-justifying. An example is the work of Rene Descartes (1596–1650) which identifies ‘cogito ergo sum’ – ‘I think, therefore I am’ – as a foundation belief. Many critics dispute that such foundations – absolutely free of doubt or scepticism - can be found
free school
a private school organised as an alternative to the traditional state or independent school, often featuring a flexible curriculum and progressive teaching methods.
freedom
the absence of restraints or oppression; the capacity to exercise self-determination, autonomy. Education and schooling have typically been seen as promoting individual and group freedom in that an educated person is deemed to have more freedom, or opportunities to exercise such, than an uneducated person. Other critics see schooling as impairing and restricting freedom, serving as a form of social control or indoctrination (see emancipation).
free will
the philosophical view that human action is not determined by physical or other forces but is expressive of personal choice or volition (see determinism).
fresh start
in educational contexts, this usually refers (in a pejorative sense) to an approach which discounts or ignores prior learning and experience. Thus a secondary school which takes no account of a learner’s primary school reports or achievements would be said to be practising a ‘fresh start’.
full service model
a system of community school provision where a number of agencies are sited on the one campus and endeavour to work together in an integrated way – such as a secondary school with various health, social work, and employment bodies.
functionalism
any doctrine stressing practicality and utility. In education, it is often used pejoratively of approaches which focus on skills and training at the expense of other curricular elements such as cultural or artistic enrichment, for example.
further education
educational provision beyond the secondary stage, most typically centred in college specialising in vocational courses.