This research compares two popular mastery-based instructional programs: Programmed Student Achievement and Total Mastery Learning. The primary objective is to determine which mastery technique results in the best classroom performance of college students in an introductory psychology course. (Author/RM)

Describes the application of basic factor analytical and classical scaling techniques to mathematics placement test data that indicates that the sequence of mathematical skill areas traditionally taught in schools should be somewhat altered in order for students to reach optimal achievement levels. (FL)

Summarizes an experiment carried out in 1980 with students enrolled in a music theory course for nonmusic majors. Results indicated that competency-based techniques for drill and practice, used by the experimental group on the PLATO system, were more effective than traditional assignments used by the control group. (EAO)

To learn correct grammar, developmental students must practice writing correctly. However, the traditional exercises offered in handbooks, workbooks, and textbooks not only fail to provide habituation in correctness, they actually provide practice in "wrongness." Instead of isolating individual problems, they promote confusion by linking them.…

The effects of specific testing procedures on learning were studied, using the chunking method of teaching and studying, which involves the learning of small units of information. The size of the unit is related to the student's cognitive processing capacity (CPC)--the amount of material recalled after a brief exposure. Subjects were undergraduate…