The transition to fully or partially online instruction for K-12 students necessitated by the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the current lack of understanding of practices that support K-12 student learning in online settings in emergency situations but also, more troublingly, in K-12 online teaching and learning more generally. A systematic…

In this study, we explore the design and delivery of a blended social studies teaching methods course to examine the elements of the blended design that pre-service teachers found most constructive. In focus groups at the completion of the course, pre-service teachers were asked to reflect on their experience in the blended course, identify the…

This paper theorises a curriculum model containing four features. We use these features as criteria to analyse and evaluate two distinctive curriculum design types: '21st Century Learning' and 'Powerful Knowledge'. The four features are: (i) the underpinning theory of knowledge in each curriculum design type; (ii) the knowledge structures used to…

This case study addresses the exigence of low retention and graduation rates of college students. The authors sought to incorporate the perspectives of all three stakeholders implicated in retention efforts--administrators, faculty, and students--by implementing a personalized system of instruction (PSI) in eight of their college courses. This…

There are many different approaches to teaching Information Systems courses. Studies have shown that if the student is interested in the topic, they just may have a more productive classroom experience. This paper documents the practice of structuring assignments around topics that are of interest to each individual student. This method has been…

Discusses the planning, development, implementation, and course management required to use the Personalized System of Instruction in the basic speech communication course. (PD)

An aquatics fitness class given at Drake University (Iowa) is described. Students set up their own programs in consultation with the instructor choosing three components from the following list: cardiorespiratory, strength, flexibility, nutrition and weight management, and posture and body measurement. (JMK)

Describes a highly structured six-week teaching unit. Utilizing a variation of criterion grading, it is aimed at quickly producing dramatic improvement in writing skills, with a substantial saving in the amount of time and effort required of the teacher. The program has been tested with college freshmen. (Author/SJL)

A method for adapting a technical writing course to the needs of students from a variety of majors is summarized. (HTH)

Provides guidelines for planning an individualized approach to classroom instruction. Examines the preparation of learning objectives and instructional units to be incorporated in the course outline and discusses the use of quizzes, examinations, and student-instructor feedback. Analyzes the benefits of individualized instruction in terms of…

Considers new modes of course organization that are based on computers, videodisc players, compact disk players, and other components of interactive technology. Topics discussed include student control of content and pace, ways of learning, mastery courses, learning cycles, hypercourses (non-linear courses), and student organized courses. (17…

This study compared the effects of multiple versus single deadline contingencies on distribution of unit-mastery test taking by students in four university classes taught using the personalized system of instruction. Rate of test taking was most uniform when multiple deadlines were imposed throughout the course. (Author/DB)

Describes and gives results of a program of individualized instruction in typing and shorthand classes in the Department of Business Education, Brigham Young University. Although the program did reduce costs and accommodate increased enrollments, it was not successful in terms of student achievement or faculty utilization. (MF)

Describes an alternative approach to retraining courses for unemployed executives--management and professional personnel--in which a more personalized, self-pacing learning structure accounts for the unique difficulties of these students. (MF)

David Ausubel's learning theory was used as a framework for the content organization of an experimental Personalized System of Instruction (PSI) course in physics. Evaluation suggests that the combination of PSI as a method of instruction and Ausubel's theory for organization might result in better learning outcomes. (Author/JMD)