Glossary

Searchable glossary containing hundreds of definitions and descriptions of education terms, acronyms and abbreviations used by the LTS online service and in Scottish education.

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Macro	Glossary item - English definition for Gaelic term: Macro
Mailing list	A list of email addresses. You can send an email to all the people on a mailing list at the same time.
Mainstreaming	Taking action to ensure that all forms of equality and human rights are routinely part of normal practice. For example, mainstreaming equality and human rights when developing policy or practice.In education, the term 'mainstreaming' is often associated with integration of special needs pupils into mainstream schools however the definition and practice is much wider than this.To find out more about mainstreaming, visit http://www.scotland.gov.uk/mainstreamingequality on the Scottish Government site.
Mashup	Can be mixing more than one media source, audio, video etc to produce new work. It also referes to the combining of two or more webservices to produce another application, for example displaying photos from flickr on a google map.
Mastery	Command of or a great skill and knowledge of some subject or activity.
Matrix	A group of data which forms the ‘essence of an application’.
Mean	In a set of test or examination results, the average score, calculated by adding all scores then dividing the total by the number of participants.
Media literacy	The ability to read, analyse, evaluate and produce communication in a variety of media forms (television, print, radio, computers, etc.).
Median	In a set of test or examination results, the score that separates the upper 50 per cent from the lower 50 per cent of participants.
Megabyte/gigabyte	A byte is a small chunk of information that is stored on a computer, so a megabyte is one million bytes and a gigabyte is one thousand megabytes. Most hard drives are now over 20 gigabytes in size.
Memory	Memory is generally defined as the processes of encoding, storing and retrieving information in our brains.
mentor	A more experienced colleague; someone very familiar with the particular culture and role, who has influence and can use their experience to help an individual analyse their situation in order to facilitate professional and career development.
Merit stamps	Ink stamps or stickers awarded for effort, progress or success. They sometimes help to motivate otherwise uninterested learners.
Message board	A script on a website with a submission form that allows visitors to post messages (called "threads" or "posts") on your website for others to read. These messages are usually sorted within discussion categories, or topics, chosen by the host, or possibly the visitor. A messageboard is also called a "web board" or a "forum".
Metacognition	The process of thinking about thinking, or the recognition on the part of the learner, that learning has taken place, or is taking place. It involves understanding and appreciating the factors that make learning possible and one's own strategies and processes of learning. Black and Wiliam stressed that opportunities for self-assessment and reflection are crucial for improving learning and there is a range of research evidence indicating that metacognition tends to be associated with effective learning.
MHz/GHz	The speed of a computer's processor is measured in Megahertz or Gigahertz (One Gigahertz is one thousand megahertz). Generally, the higher the number of MHz or GHz, the faster the computer.
MI	Multiple Intelligences. Based on Howard Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences theory, where all human beings possess different forms of intelligence or ability. Gardner’s original model described seven different types of intelligence: linguistic, logical, visual/spatial, musical, interpersonal, intrapersonal and bodily kinaesthetic.
Micro-blogging	Short Blogging entries via multiple inputs: IM, mail, web, and mobile phone.
MIDI	An abbreviation of Musical Instrument Digital Interface, MIDIs control musical devices such as synthesizers and sound cards.
MIDYIS (Middle Years Information System)	Tests for forming a baseline for Value Added measures in secondary schools. They are designed to be taken at entry to secondary school and are not curriculum-based. They are reported in four scales – vocabulary, maths, non-verbal skills and an overall score.
Mind Map® / Mind Mapping	A graphic technique developed by Tony Buzan in the late 1960s to help students learn by creating a visual representation of links between ideas, including the association of new ideas with existing knowledge and experience. This may involve the use of colour and images, as well as key words/phrases.
MLEs and VLEs	A Managed Learning Environment (MLE) is the name given to an ICT system that supports learning within an institution. It usually is delivered through a standard web browser and consists of information and assignments for pupils. A Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) supports online interaction between learners and tutors only and can be a subset of a Managed Learning Environment.
Mode	In a set of test or examination results, the particular score achieved by the largest number of participants.
Modelling	An analytic technique that involves demonstrating or representing something, or an activity, emphasising the stages of the process and the standard of work expected.
Modem	Converts computer data into sound and then transmits it via a telephone wire. Modems are primarily used for email, exploring the internet and sending and/or receiving files from one computer to another.
Moderation	The process of establishing comparability standards, in order to ensure that assessment is valid and reliable. In schools it involves groups of teachers looking at examples of work, discussing the extent to which these meet the expected standard and coming to agreement on the Level of attainment represented by each example.
Monitoring	A classroom management technique undertaken by staff members to review and evaluate specific aspects of learning and teaching activities to see if they are going to plan.
Monotheism	Along with polytheism, monotheism is one of the best known theistic systems. Monotheism is founded upon the idea that there is only one God, typically regarded as the creator of all reality. This God is believed to be totally self-sufficient and without any dependency upon any other being.
MP3	The standard for audio compression, especially music.
MSYPP (Monitoring and Supporting Young People's Progress)	The 22 councils set up to liaise with industry and arrange and provide vocational training in their particular areas, covering the whole of Scotland. Most of the LECs are supported by Scottish Enterprise, the remainder by Highlands and Islands Enterprise.
Multi-faith	An attempt to initiate dialogue, cooperation and understanding among individuals of many different faiths. It is occasionally used as a synonym for "inter-faith."
Multicultural	This term is in widespread use. Rather than referring literally to the existence of a plurality of cultures in a given situation, it tends in Britain to be reduced to a colour analysis that indicates the presence of a mixture of black and white components where the white components are seen as dominant. The term can also be used to develop meaning for sectors, for example, 'multicultural education'.
Musical intelligence	The ability to produce and appreciate music. These musically inclined learners think in sounds, rhythms and patterns. They immediately respond to music either appreciating or criticising what they hear. Their skills include singing, playing musical instruments, recognizing sounds and tonal patterns, composing music and remembering melodies.
Myers-Briggs type indicator	A learning styles model that classifies students according to their preferences on scales derived from psychologist Carl Jung's theory of psychological types. Learners may be: Extroverts or Introverts, Sensors or Intuitors, Thinkers or Feelers, Judgers or Perceivers
Myth	A myth is any traditional story, usually of ancient origin, which attempts to explain natural events, customs, or social ideals. Myths typically involve supernatural beings or powers, cultural heroes, and similar characters. To call a story a myth is regarded by most people as the same as calling it false, but that is not really true. A myth may or may not be accurate. What is important is that a myth is attempting to communicate more fundamental cultural or psychological facts.