Academic Meaning of Technology
1)
The application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes, especially in industry.
2)
Machinery and devices developed from scientific knowledge.
3)
The branch of knowledge dealing with engineering or applied sciences.
General Meaning of Technology
The application of scientific knowledge to the practical aims of human life or, as it is sometimes
phrased, to the change and manipulation of the human environment.
The subject of technology is treated in a number of articles. For general treatment, see technology,
history of; hand tool. For description of the materials that are both the object and means of
manipulating the environment, see elastomers; industrial ceramics; industrial glass; metallurgy;
mineral deposit; mineral processing; mining; plastic.
Academic Meaning of Assessment
In education, the term assessment refers to the wide variety of methods or tools that educators use
to evaluate, measure, and document the academic readiness, learning progress, skill acquisition, or
educational needs of students.
While assessments are often equated with traditional tests—especially the standardized tests
developed by testing companies and administered to large populations of students—educators use a
diverse array of assessment tools and methods to measure everything from a four-year-old’s
readiness for kindergarten to a twelfth-grade student’s comprehension of advanced physics. Just as
academic lessons have different functions, assessments are typically designed to measure specific
elements of learning—e.g., the level of knowledge a student already has about the concept or skill
the teacher is planning to teach or the ability to comprehend and analyze different types of texts
and readings. Assessments also are used to identify individual student weaknesses and strengths
so that educators can provide specialized academic support, educational programming, or social
services. In addition, assessments are developed by a wide array of groups and individuals,
including teachers, district administrators, universities, private companies, state departments of
education, and groups that include a combination of these individuals and institutions.
General Meaning of Assessment
While one can find many definitions of assessment, generally speaking, assessment can be
considered the systematic collection, review, and use of information about educational programs
and services undertaken for the purpose of quality improvement, planning, and decision-making.
There are many benefits of assessment in higher education, including:
- Enhanced student learning, development, and engagement
- Stronger programs and services that are self-studied and refined
- Opportunity to make improvements based on accurate evaluations of need
- Improved communication and collaboration amongst units/offices/departments
- Increased accountability with stakeholders
Purposes of Assessment
Two common phrases surrounding assessment recently are "assessment for improvement" and
"assessment for accountability." While assessment for accountability's sake is an important reason
(and often the impetus) to initiate and conduct assessment, the real benefit to an institution and its
students come from the discussions and changes that happen as a result of assessment for
improvement. Many faculty and staff are motivated by the benefits of focusing on assessment for
the sake of improving the quality of teaching, learning, programs and services, and planning and
decision-making. The purpose of assessment for accountability is to demonstrate the effectiveness
of programs and services across the institution to various (and often external) audiences, including
the federal and state governments, taxpayers, employers, and parents. An assessment cycle
effectively addressing assessment for improvement will also provide the necessary evidence for
accountability.
Academic meaning of Amount
The sum total of two or more quantities or sums; aggregate.
General meaning of Amount
the degree to which something is a lot or a little; how much something is
Academic meaning of Design
a process that institutions use to identify key design criteria used to make strategic program
decisions and identify the resources, processes, and outcomes to support the continuous
improvement of these programs and enhance institutional vitality.
General meaning of Design
1. to prepare the preliminary sketch or the plans for (a work to be executed), especially to plan
the form and structure of
2. to plan and fashion artistically or skillfully.
3. an outline, sketch, or plan, as of the form and structure of a work of art, an edifice, or a
machine to be executed or constructed
4. organization or structure of formal elements in a work of art; composition