Western Governors University (WGU) EDUC5266 D665 Learner Development and the Science of Learning Practice Exam

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• What ethical considerations arise when applying learning science research to practice?
• Describe authentic assessment and how it aligns with real-world tasks.
• What is the purpose of check for understanding in differentiated instruction?
• Which concept explains that a given quantity remains the same despite changes in shape or container?
• Which concept describes the integrated connection of body, mind, and environment in learning?
• Which concept explains how associations between stimuli can lead to learned responses?
• Explain the relationship between working memory and attention, and strategies to improve focus in class?
• Which perspective emphasizes the connection between the body, mind, and environment in learning?
• Which learning strategy involves spacing study sessions over time to enhance retention?
• Feedback provides information about performance, guiding future actions to refine learning strategies.
• How can teachers use student data to inform instruction while ensuring equity?
• Provide an example of scaffolding that moves toward independence in a lesson.
• Which option reflects ethical practice when translating learning science research into classroom practice?
• Tiny muscles working with the brain to control movements in areas like the hands, fingers, lips, tongue, and eyes are associated with which skills?
• Which theory centers on core brain functions, including sensory input, working memory, and long-term memory?
• Which approach ensures feedback in formative assessment is aligned to learning targets and criteria?
• Which theory explains learning as a result of consequences that follow behavior, shaping future actions?
• What term refers to studying intensively in a short period of time before an exam?
• How do near and far transfer differ?
• Which statement describes cognitive load theory and how to reduce cognitive load in online learning?
• In learning, what is a scaffold and how should it be adjusted over time?
• Which method involves gradually fading assistance as a learner becomes more capable?
• Which term decreases the likelihood of a behavior reoccurring?
• Which characteristics constitute a high‑quality learning environment that reduces cognitive overload?
• Which brain structure is primarily linked to forming new memories and is a part of the limbic system?
• Which term refers to cognitive abilities becoming rigid and fixed as people age?
• Spaced retrieval practice improves long-term retention because spacing makes retrieval more effortful and strengthens memory representations. Which implementation best reflects spacing?
• Spaced repetition refers to revisiting information at expanding intervals. How should it be implemented in a curriculum to support durable learning?
• The study of how people learn across multiple disciplines is called what?
• Which term describes the belief that the human mind is fundamentally empty at birth?
• Which practice supports long-term retention through assessment readiness within a science-of-learning framework?
• Which process eliminates unused neural connections?
• Metacognition is the awareness and understanding of one's thinking processes to monitor and regulate learning.
• The stage involving the child's journey toward independence and decision-making is which Erikson stage?
• Neurodiversity influences instructional design in inclusive classrooms; which practice supports this inclusion?
• Which teacher-led traditional behaviorist teaching strategy is exemplified by scripted lessons and explicit instruction?
• How should teachers collaborate with families to support learner development and the science of learning principles?
• Which term corresponds to the stage in middle childhood where children develop a sense of industry and competence?
• How can you design learning environments to support social-emotional learning and positive student-teacher relationships?
• What is the term for the set of mental skills that help individuals plan, focus attention, and remember instructions?
• Which statement correctly identifies which UDL network addresses varied ways to show mastery?
• Which teaching approach is a teacher-led traditional strategy featuring scripted lessons and explicit modeling?
• Which term describes adolescence marked by the development of secondary sexual characteristics and growth spurts?
• How can teachers differentiate assessment to be fair for students with varied language proficiency?
• How does cognitive apprenticeship differ from traditional demonstrations, and when is it most effective?
• Which approach best supports metacognition in online or blended learning environments?
• Which term refers to instructional practices that arise from solid empirical research or methods shown to positively affect classroom learning?
• Which brain region is associated with decision-making, impulse control, and emotional regulation?
• Which term describes the brain's ability to reorganize in response to experiences?
• Which term denotes practices informed by evidence from studies conducted in educational research and learning science?
• Metacognition is thinking about one's own thinking. Which three components comprise self-regulated learning?
• Infants learn to rely on caregivers for basic needs, fostering trust; inconsistency may lead to mistrust and anxiety in environment. Which Erikson stage is this?
• To support transfer of learning, instruction should minimize extraneous load and promote encoding that supports durable knowledge. Which practice best aligns with this?
• Which term refers to the mental activities associated with thinking, knowing, remembering, and communicating?
• Which theory includes fundamental concepts for understanding brain function such as sensory input, working memory, and long-term memory?
• Infants (0-2 years) explore through senses and actions, developing object permanence; which stage is this described?
• Which practice best supports actionable feedback in formative assessment?
• Which term describes a person who sees abilities as unchangeable?
• Which region at the back of the head is the 'little brain' that coordinates movement and balance?
• What term describes the brain's ability to reorganize and adapt in response to experiences?
• In a science-of-learning framework, which outcome indicates a student has achieved mastery?
• What are main considerations when integrating technology to support the science of learning without increasing cognitive load?
• What is retrieval practice and why is spacing beneficial?
• Which approach best activates and builds on students' prior knowledge?
• Adolescents exploring personal identity, values, beliefs, and goals (12-17)?
• Which concept describes a person who believes in the power of effort and resilience?
• Which term describes the mental activities involved in thinking, knowing, and remembering?
• Which strategies support multilingual learners in acquiring academic language and content simultaneously?
• Which description best captures assessment literacy for teachers?
• Which set of actions best supports literacy development for diverse learners beyond decoding?
• Which stage is associated with early childhood thinking symbolically and representing words and objects?
• Which strategy reduces extraneous cognitive load during instruction?
• Which statement describes transfer of learning and strategies to promote near and far transfer?
• Which term describes information about performance used to guide future learning actions?
• Which concept refers to the awareness and control of one's own thinking to guide how one learns?
• Which term refers to the process that increases the likelihood of a behavior being repeated?
• What is desirable difficulties and how can teachers implement it in assessments?
• Which instructional approaches best promote deep processing and meaningful understanding?
• Which part of the limbic system is involved in memory, learning, and emotion?
• Which description best defines cognitive apprenticeship and its typical sequence?
• Which learning theory explains that behaviors can be strengthened or weakened by consequences?
• In sociocultural theory, which classroom practice best aligns with its view that learning is social and culturally mediated?
• Retrieval practice enhances long term retention by actively recalling information from memory.
• What term describes an individual's typical or habitual way of problem-solving, thinking, perceiving, and remembering?
• What describes the approach of spreading study sessions over time rather than concentrating them in a single block?
• Retrieval is the process of accessing stored information when needed.
• How do retrieval practice and spacing contribute to transfer of learning to novel contexts?
• In instruction, the teacher breaks down complex concepts into small steps to support learning. Which term is this?
• What is scaffolding fading and when should a teacher fade support?
• What makes feedback effective in learning?
• Which concept concerns the capacity to juggle multiple tasks and switch between them quickly and efficiently?
• Which term describes infants' concept of object permanence as a basic cognitive function?
• Which processes are fundamental to transferring information into long-term memory and retrieving it later?
• What is retrieval practice and how is it used in the science of learning?
• Which term describes introducing challenges or obstacles during the learning process to cultivate resilience and enhance learning outcomes?
• How does comprehension monitoring support reading development, and what explicit strategies accompany it?
• Which mindset emphasizes that abilities can develop through effort and perseverance?
• Which structure connects to the spinal cord and regulates automatic functions such as breathing?
• In the context of Universal Design for Learning, which example best illustrates representation?
• Which approach to learning intentionally introduces moderate difficulty to improve long-term retention?
• Encoding is the initial processing of information, converting sensory input into a form the brain can store.
• Which instructional approach is characterized by explicit, teacher-led lessons and structured practice?
• Which classroom practice best supports student well-being by addressing sleep and health factors?
• Interleaving involves mixing different topics or skills within a single study session.
• Which statement best describes the three stages of information processing and their classroom relevance?
• The ability to mentally undo actions and understand that processes can be reversed?
• Spacing refers to strategically spacing out study sessions over time to improve retention.
• Which term describes a cognitive tendency to view everything from one's own perspective?
• Which theory focuses on shaping behavior by reinforcing or punishing voluntary actions?
• Which concept describes learning by associating a neutral stimulus with a meaningful one to elicit a conditioned response?
• Which stage involves adolescents balancing independence with peer and societal expectations while forming identity?
• Which approach recognizes that each student is unique and tailors teaching to their needs, interests, and readiness levels?
• Which cognitive stage is characterized by logical, organized thinking in children 7-11?
• Self-Determination Theory posits three basic psychological needs. Which are they and how do they relate to motivation?
• In a geometry lesson, which change most effectively reduces extraneous cognitive load?
• What process increases insulation around axons to speed transmission?
• Thinking becomes more abstract, complex, and systematic in adolescence. Which stage is this?
• Involves activities that engage the senses—touch, sight, hearing, smell, and taste—helping children explore the world.
• In a math learning activity, which scenario best exemplifies intrinsic, extraneous, and germane cognitive load respectively?
• Which concept involves engaging multiple senses to deepen learning experiences?
• According to cognitive load theory, which description correctly matches intrinsic, extraneous, and germane load, and which example reduces extraneous load?
• In Piaget's theory, which stage is characterized by the development of symbolic thought and use of language, leading to pretend play?
• Which practice specifically involves spacing study sessions to improve long-term retention?
• Which process strengthens neural pathways with experience?
• Which practice best demonstrates assessment literacy in action?
• In sociocultural theory, what is the role of more knowledgeable others in learning?
• What is the primary purpose of progress monitoring in an assessment system?
• Which term best describes the field that emphasizes observable behavior and the role of external stimuli in shaping actions?
• Which field studies neural processes underlying cognition and behavior?
• Which approach engages different senses to deepen students' learning experiences?
• Which scenario illustrates multiple means of representation in Universal Design for Learning?
• How does spacing influence retrieval practice and long‑term retention?
• Which property remains constant despite changes in form or arrangement?
• Which term describes decreasing the likelihood of a behavior by presenting an aversive consequence?
• What is the goal of the gradual release component in cognitive apprenticeship?
• What is the role of cultural funds of knowledge in curriculum design, and which example illustrates it?
• Which learning theory demonstrates how behaviors are strengthened or weakened through consequences?
• Which practice best supports metacognition through reflection and progress monitoring?
• Which brain region is primarily responsible for thinking, planning, and sensing?
• In designing a lesson using the science of learning, what are the key steps to ensure alignment from objectives to assessment?
• Which term refers to tailoring instruction to individual learner differences?
• Which cells form the brain's communication network?
• Which statement best distinguishes culturally sustaining pedagogy from culturally responsive pedagogy?
• Feedback-driven metacognition involves monitoring and regulating learning processes to foster greater self-awareness and autonomy.
• Which concept is the understanding that something still exists even though it cannot be seen or heard?
• Which part at the front of the brain handles movement, body temperature, and thinking skills like problem-solving and decision-making, and processes senses?
• Process of categorizing objects, events, or concepts based on shared attributes?
• Which philosophy emphasizes nurturing students' overall well-being, self-esteem, and sense of belonging?
• What is the term for a consequence that decreases the chance a behavior will happen again?
• Which set of elements constitutes core executive function skills?
• Which stage describes 5- to 12-year-olds developing a sense of competence?
• Which factor most strongly influences attention and memory consolidation in learners' day-to-day classroom functioning?
• Which statement best distinguishes explicit instruction from discovery learning and indicates when each is appropriate?
• Children between 3-6 display increased assertiveness by taking lead in play and engaging in social interactions more actively
• Which region is described as the emotional control center of the brain?
• Storage refers to retaining encoded information over time.
• Which adaptation pair is appropriate for learners with dyslexia and ADHD within typical classrooms?
• Which term describes the ability to perform multiple tasks simultaneously?
• What is the Zone of Proximal Development and which scaffolding example illustrates it in a literacy activity?
• Which framework equips students with the skills to navigate the complexities of life?
• Which field investigates how people learn, integrating psychology, neuroscience, education, and computer science to understand cognitive processes and environments that facilitate learning?
• Which term describes brain growth and changes that support learning and adapting in education?
• Which activity best activates students' background knowledge to support comprehension?
• Which concept recognizes and celebrates diversity in neural functioning and cognitive styles?
• Which statement best distinguishes surface learning from deep learning and identifies appropriate strategies to promote deep processing?
• Which term refers to the study of the brain and nervous system?
• If a student tests themselves on material to improve future recall, which practice are they using?
• How do growth and fixed mindsets differ, and what does evidence suggest about their impact on learning?
• Children between 2-7 think symbolically, using symbols to represent words, objects, images, individuals, and concepts, enabling imitation.
• Which structure is associated with emotions such as happiness and fear?
• Create a brief lesson plan outline using evidence-based principles of the science of learning for a topic of your choice.
• What is a key way in which routines support executive function in the classroom?
• Understanding that mass, volume, and number remain constant despite changes in appearance?
• Which psychosocial stage is associated with children taking initiative in activities and plans?
• Which sequence illustrates the gradual release of responsibility model (I do, We do, You do) in a lesson design?
• Which study strategy promotes deeper understanding and transfer by mixing topics in one session?
• Which strategy supports differentiation for diverse learners without creating separate instructional tracks?
• In operant conditioning, what term refers to a consequence that increases the probability of a behavior's recurrence?