Key terms & definitions

Coding information in terms of its appearance or as a mental image.

Guidance provided by showing a performer how a skill is performed, for example through a demonstration or video.

The arrangement of elements so that differences in size, contrast and position suggest their relative importance.

A misleading or distorted perception of a real visual stimulus.

Reading an algorithm’s instructions, conditions and control flow to work out how it operates and what it achieves.

Forming a mental image, such as a Buddha or Bodhisattva, as a focus for meditation and the development of spiritual qualities.

A graphical representation of data, such as a bar chart or scatter graph.

Creating a mental picture, such as seeing yourself perform a sporting skill successfully.

A learner who prefers to process information through pictures and visual features such as shape, colour and layout.

Objects and images produced or used by a society, which can provide evidence about its activities, values and beliefs.

An image that suggests an idea through visual comparison, such as a confined metal bin suggesting a coffin.

A recurring visual feature that develops an idea or helps establish a film’s distinctive style.

An image or artistic representation used as evidence about the past, such as a coin design or sculpted relief.

The maximum volume of air that can be breathed out after the deepest possible breath in.

A nutrient needed to maintain the efficient working of body systems and general health.

A nutrient needed in small quantities to support normal body processes. Vitamins are classified as fat-soluble or water-soluble.

The Hindu marriage rite, traditionally understood as a lifelong commitment.

Performing operations on living animals for scientific research; the word is also used more broadly in debates about experiments on living animals.

A mask or face covering. In Macbeth’s metaphor, a face becomes a ‘vizard’ that conceals the feelings and intentions of the heart.

A female seer in Viking society who was believed to possess magical and prophetic powers.

A strong sense of being called to a particular kind of work or service, often religious.

A calling from God to follow a particular way of life and use one’s gifts in service of God and others.

Education that develops the knowledge and practical skills needed for particular occupations.

Education directly related to employment or a career, such as engineering, travel and tourism, or health and social care.

A recognised award gained through study and assessment focused on skills or knowledge related to work.

The distinctive personality conveyed by a narrator’s or character’s language, attitudes and manner of expression.

Speech heard over the images, rather than spoken visibly by a character within the shot.

Describes memory or storage that loses its contents when power is removed.

Memory that loses its contents when its power supply is switched off.

Processes associated with volcanoes, including eruptions and the release of gases from within the Earth.