gender
sexual identity; a grouping such as male or female. The term tends to be used in relation to social and cultural categories whereas sex tends to be used in a biological sense.
generalisability
usually related to research findings or statistics, the fact of being more widely applicable than merely to the particular instance in question; the inferring of a principle or rule from particular findings.
generative topics
a term used in the ‘Teaching for Understanding’ movement for themes or ideas for teaching which have sufficient depth, connections, and significance to help develop real understanding in learners. However, unless learners are involved early on in their development or selection, there is a risk of a teacher-centred or -dominated curriculum emerging (see rich tasks).
genetic epistemology
the study of the origins and development of knowledge undertaken in the work of Jean Piaget (1896-1980).
gestalt
a unified whole that cannot be derived from a summation of constituent parts. It features in theories of learning which emphasise the way learners make sense of the world in meaningful wholes and not as atomised simple ideas/perceptions which are then amalgamated.
gifted
like talented, a term for learners deemed to be particularly able either in a specific area of learning or in a global sense. It is in common use but is problematic in many ways, especially in the concept of ‘gifted underachievement’ which is not at all easy to define far less identify.
global
worldwide. Metaphor for total, complete, or widespread, as used in the term ‘global learning difficulties’, for example.
globalisation
growth to a global or worldwide scale. It is often used with reference to the ways in which dominant western economic, social, and political ideas and practices have become internationally prevalent and highly influential.
goal
an educational outcome or achievement towards which teaching (and learning) is consciously directed.
governance
the act, manner or function of governing.
governmentality
a term from the work of Michel Foucault (1926-1984) which refers to a form of activity intended to guide or shape conduct in a variety of contexts, and the rationalisation of such activity; mentalities of rule; how we think about governing ourselves and others.
governors
the body of people elected and co-opted to manage schools. It is a term in use in the English system, and more widely in the independent schools sector.
grade
in assessment practice, a numerical or literal mark indicating a level of achievement.
grade inflation
the (internal) awarding of higher grades than is merited either to maintain a school's academic reputation or as a result of diminished teacher expectations.
grade point average
a term from the US educational system: a measure of scholastic attainment figured by dividing the grade points earned by the number of credits attempted.
grade retention
a term from the US educational system for the practice of having (school) students repeat a year/course where they are deemed to have failed.
grade-related criteria
stipulated indicators of performance expected at different levels, to aid assessment judgements or set standards.
grading on the curve
where assessment is conducted so that there is a normal distribution of learners’ results, with most around the mean and a few at either pole.
grammar school
a term in use since the middle ages, originally indicating a school offering a classical curriculum. More recently it refers to an academically oriented school, usually with entry determined by selection – the 11-plus exam in England, the qualifying exam in Scotland. These were abolished following the introduction of comprehensive schools in 1965, but some areas of England have retained or re-introduced them.
grant-aided
the term used in Scotland for direct grant schools.
grant-maintained
a type of school introduced in England in 1988 which remains in the state sector but is funded by central government.
grants
an amount of money which is given to a person or body for some purpose, for example a student grant, or a block grant from central to local government.
graphicacy
the ability to use and understand symbols, graphs, diagrams, plans, and maps. It is allied in usage to literacy and numeracy.
grounded theory
a method of qualitative research which endeavours to operate by having theory ‘emerge’ from the data rather than approaching data with theory or preconceived concepts. Its attempt to be more naturalistic by drawing its theoretical framework and related concepts from the participants themselves is not without its critics.
groupthink
a term for the phenomenon whereby members of a group may suppress disagreement, fail to consider alternative suggestions, ignore the wider, practical implications of their thinking, adopt a uniformly consensus approach which may result in poor decision-making.
groupwork
an approach to teaching where collective tasks are assigned to groups of learners, although the completion may still be on an individual basis (see co-operative learning; collaborative learning).
growth
a common metaphor for educational development.
guidance
pastoral care provided in schools.