Glossary of Terms

Animal Welfare (AW)
Animal welfare has to do with the quality of life of an animal. Animal welfare is defined by both the physical and psychological states of an animal, including how it feels. The welfare of an animal can be described as good if the individual is fit, healthy, free from suffering, and when it has the opportunity to express species-specific natural behaviour.

Humane Education (HE)
Humane Education (HE) is a concept that encompasses all forms of education about social justice, citizenship, environmental issues, the welfare of animals and their care. HE is unique in that it recognises the interdependence of all living things.

Animal Welfare Education (AWE)
Animal welfare education is a process, which promotes knowledge, skills, understanding and attitudes related to our involvement in the lives of animals, the effects this has on their ability to satisfy their needs, and the responsibility this places on us. It includes topics such as animal biology, bioethics and law, which are necessary to understand how we can reduce animal suffering and enhance welfare.

Primary education
The first four to eight years of a child's formal education. Also called grade school, grammar school, primary school, elementary school.

Secondary education
The intermediate level of a child’s formal education, between elementary school and college.  Usually offers general, technical, vocational, or college-preparatory curricula.  Also called high school, secondary school.

Tertiary education
The third level of formal education, following secondary education. Includes vocational training (or ‘further education’). professional university, and academic university.

Curriculum
All the courses of study offered by an educational institution, or a group of related courses, often in a special field of study, e.g. the engineering curriculum.

Multiple Intelligences
Howard Gardner identified eight intelligences: verbal/linguistic, logical-mathematical analysis, visual/spatial, musical/rhythmic, bodily/kinesthetic, interpersonal (an understanding of other individuals), intrapersonal (an understanding of ourselves) and naturalist/physical world. Within the framework of learning, each has a specific role and capacity.

Interpersonal
Activities involve dialogue and working with others

Intrapersonal
Activities involve working independently, devising own strategies for formulating questions, applying the concept or issue to personal experience and prior knowledge

Kinesthetic/practical
Activities such as cutting, pasting, improvising and role play

Linguistic/Literary
Activities such as writing, reading, discussing

Logical/mathematical
Activities such as calculating, using data, looking for patterns, applying informal logic

Musical/auditory
Activities using music, sounds and words to stimulate ideas; making up rhymes, raps, songs; singing and using music to affect one’s mood

Visual/spatial
Activities involving diagrams and maps, designing posters and plans, painting, sketching and drawing

Naturalistic/environmental
Activities involve ecological thinking, care for animals, plants and the environment (both the built and natural)

Affective/emotional/intuitive
Activities involve responding with feelings, responding intuitively, aesthetic appreciation, experiencing awe and wonder