Plain English Meaning
Anything in a lesson that makes the student feel unsafe or under attack — to the point that they stop learning well and just try to protect themselves.
Full Definition
A factor in the learning environment that a student perceives as physically or psychologically dangerous, which narrows their attention, restricts their ability to absorb new information, and degrades their performance on the task at hand.
Context Anchor
Seen in aviation instructor training when discussing how fear, pressure, or worry can change what a student pilot notices and understands.
Derivation
‘Threat’ comes from the Old English ‘threat,’ meaning a press, oppression, or coercion. In learning theory, it points to anything that pressures the student into self-protection rather than open learning.