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EducationAL Jargon
Educational jargon or specialized language is often used in U.S. higher education and can vary across disciplines and institutions. For anyone who is unfamiliar with the language, it can seem meaningless or incoherent. Below is a list of some common educational jargon used in teaching and learning at Ohio State.
absolute grading scale
“Absolute,” “criterion-referenced,” or “set” grading systems apply an absolute scale against which individual student performances are measured. The setting up of such a grading scale ideally requires some knowledge of the levels of student ability likely to be present in the class. With the criterion-referenced system, it is theoretically possible for all students to receive an “A” or for everyone to fail the course.
add slip
A card or piece of paper brought to class that shows a student has officially registered for a course after the “regular” registration period.
audit
A practice by which a student who has received written permission from the course instructor can take a class without receiving credit for the course. An audit receives audit credit, not a grade.
buckeye
A term used to refer to a native of Ohio, a graduate of Ohio State, a current student, or one of the university’s sports teams. The name is derived from the nut of the state tree of Ohio. The name Brutus Buckeye is used to describe the Ohio State mascot.
call roll
Read aloud the students’ names on the class roster to see who is present.
closed-book test
A test where students are not allowed to refer to their textbooks and course notes.
comprehensive or cumulative exam
An exam that tests all material or content covered in the course from the beginning of the class.
course credit
The number of credit hours assigned to a course. A specified number of these are required for graduation in each degree program.
course packet
A packet of learning and teaching materials for a course. Some of these materials can be lecture notes, readings, sample problems and exams, projects, and assignments which are used instead of, or in addition to, a text book.
crib sheet
A paper that assists students in remembering vocabulary, dates, formulas, equations, or concepts. It is sometimes referred to as a “cheat sheet.”
dorm
An abbreviated term for “dormitory,” an on-campus living facility for students.
drop
Official action by students to withdraw from courses.
elective
An elective course is one that is not required by GEC or the students’ major or minor program of study. They choose to take it out of their own interest. In most cases, the credit counts toward graduation as each program of study allows a certain amount of choice beyond the list of required courses.
essay question
A type of item or task in a written test which requires the candidate to supply, as opposed to select, a response. The purpose of this kind of item is to elicit a relatively unconstrained response, which may vary in length from a few words to an extended essay. The marking scheme therefore allows for a range of acceptable answers.
extra credit
Additional points for work beyond what is required. Instructors may decide to give students the opportunity to do extra credit assignments to improve their grade.
final
Exam given at the end of a course.
flunk/E
To fail an exam, course, or assignment. This is assigned the letter grade “E.”
freshman
A first-year college student. This classification is based on the number of course credit hours completed.
freshman forgiveness rule
A university rule that says if an undergraduate student receives a grade of D+, D, or E during the freshman year (prior to earning 45 credit hours, including transfer credit), the student may repeat the course before the end of the sophomore year and the original course will be excluded from the calculation of the student’s cumulative GPA.
GAA
Graduate Administrative Associate. A graduate student whose primary responsibility is assisting faculty and administrators with university administrative duties.
GEC
General Education Curriculum. A required basic core curriculum course that provides undergraduate students with an introduction to different disciplines.
GPA
Grade Point Average. This refers to either the cumulative average of a student’s performance over the course of a quarter or over the entire undergraduate or graduate career. This is calculated on a point system with the highest being a 4.00 (receiving all “As”).
GRA
Graduate Research Associate. A graduate student whose primary responsibility is assisting faculty with research.
grading on a curve or curving
A grading scheme in which grades are assigned based on a normal distribution curve, depending on how students perform on an exam or in the course. For more information, please see Evaluating Learning
incomplete
A grade assigned to a student who is unable to complete requirements of a course within the quarter. With special permission from the instructor, the student may receive an incomplete and finish work within a specified time frame.
junior
A third-year college student.
make up
A term used to refer to completing a missed exam or assignment. This decision to allow students to take a make up is often left at the discretion of the course instructor.
major, minor
The chosen field of study for a student (major) and the supporting area of study (minor) for a student.
mid-term
Exam given at the mid-point of a course, usually around the fifth week, although sometimes mid-terms are given at more frequent intervals.
objective test
A test which can be scored by applying a key of correct responses, without the need to bring expert opinion or subjective judgment to the task. Example: multiple choice or true and false.
open-book
A test in which students are allowed to refer to their textbooks and course notes.
partial credit
Part of the full grade for an assignment or test item. It is usually used for incomplete or partly correct work or solutions.
4-point scale
A grading scale in which the highest numeric value assigned to work is 4.0 or “A.” Other equivalents are B=3.0, C=2.0, D=1.0. Plus and minus grades may also be used, such as B+ ( a grade between 3.0 and 4.0).
pass/fail or satisfactory/unsatisfactory
An alternate grading system that is sometimes used at Ohio State in courses in which a letter grade is not assigned.
pop quiz
A short unannounced test that is used to monitor students’ performance in a course.
prerequisite
A course that is required for students to take in preparation for another course.
recitation
A designated class period of a course where students meet in small groups facilitated by an instructor. The purpose is to clarify material, review assignments or readings, administer quizzes, or accomplish other things best done in small groups.
review session
An extra class or session that an instructor organizes to review material in preparation for an exam.
review sheet
A paper that provides students with an outline or summary of important material in preparation for an exam.
roster
A printed sheet from the Office of the University Registrar that lists the names, social security numbers, classifications, credit hours, instructor name, course name, and other pertinent enrollment information about a course.
sample tests
An example of a test provided for students to give them an idea of what the format of their actual test will be. Exams from previous quarters are often used for this purpose.
senior
A fourth-year college student. This is usually the last year of college, although many students take longer to complete their undergraduate degrees.
skip class/cut class
A term used by students to refer to missing a class intentionally.
sophomore
A second-year college student.
study guide
Supplementary course materials that are prepared by the instructor to help students succeed in a course. Some of these materials might be lecture outlines, chapter outlines, problem sets, etc.
take home
An exam assigned by the instructor that students can take at home. This is usually an open-book exam.
used textbook
A textbook that has been owned by a previous student and sold to a bookstore so that it can be purchased for later use. These textbooks are usually sold at discounted prices in many campus area book stores.
TA/GTA
Teaching Associate or Graduate Teaching Associate. A graduate student who has teaching responsibilities.
withdraw
Within the first few weeks of the quarter, students may decide, for various reasons that they no longer wish to enroll in a course. During this specified period, they can withdraw.