Definitions for education
Definitions are useful because even though we use different words that may be interchangeable in some contexts, there are reasons why the different words exist. A clear understanding of language and the context of the words being used can make significant differences to how we engage in discourse.
Some words appear interchangeable in education because in many instances they do result in the same outcome however there are other interpretations. For example a question commonly asked of students is, what qualification are you doing? More linguistically correct questions would be, what are you being educated in, or what are you studying?
Learning
“The process of gaining knowledge and expertise.” From The Adult Learner by Malcolm Knowles
Psychology. the modification of behaviour through practice, training, or experience.
Experience
Either a short or long term event that was observed, encountered or undergone which created change in knowledge, skill or practices.
Assessment
The act of judging or deciding the amount, value, quality, or importance of something, or the judgment or decision that is made:
In education, the term assessment refers to the wide variety of methods that educators use to evaluate, measure, and document the academic readiness, learning progress, skill acquisition, or educational needs of students.
Education
There is no accepted definition of education because different philosophers and authors perceive it differently. Nonetheless, they all agree that education is necessary for the development of an individual.
Knowing that the suffix, -ion changes an action word to indicate the resulting state of the action means that education is the resultant state of educate.
Definitions of educate include;
to develop or train
to train by formal instruction and supervised practice especially in a skill, trade, or profession
a deliberate sharing of knowledge and skills to develop other people's knowledge and skills
an intentional learning cycle for the person to achieve information and comprehension, skills and application at an explicit higher level than their knowledge and skill at the start of the learning cycle
With -ion being the resultant state of educate, than the intentional act of educating others or being educated results in the students education.
Qualification
A condition or standard that must be complied with:
an official record of achievement awarded on the successful completion of a course of training or passing of an exam
an ability, quality, or attribute, esp one that fits a person to perform a particular job or task.
a condition that modifies or limits; restriction
the act of qualifying or state of being qualified
Credential
A credential is a piece of any document that details a qualification, competence, or authority issued to an individual by a third party with a relevant or de facto authority or assumed competence to do so.
a qualification, achievement, quality, or aspect of a person's background, especially when used to indicate their suitability for something.
a document proving a person's identity or qualifications.
a letter of introduction given by a government to an ambassador before a new posting.