A comparative study with an established course in introductory physics presented according to traditional and Keller plan methods showed that many more students achieved mastery in a self-paced course. (MLH)

The Programmed Achievement Study System (PASS), based on positively reinforcing attempts at mastery, was introduced and empirically tested to determine its validity. It makes use of traditional learning principles by providing rewards (bonus points) contingent upon reaching specified mastery criteria. (Author/LBH)

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)

To make training cost-effective for its small systems customers, Digital Equipment Corporation provides self-paced training packages for several years that can be used by its customers on-site. To control the quality of this training, Digital is now incorporating computer managed instruction (CMI) into some of these packages. This CMI component…

Studied were a self-paced section and a teacher-paced section of an undergraduate educational psychology course. By assessing number of trials to criterion, the investigators concluded that the self-paced method was more effective. (MLH)

Lists the instructional features of the Personalized System of Instruction (PSI)--self-pacing, mastery of material, student proctors, motivational devices, stress upon written and spoken work--and describes their use in an introductory psychology course at Black Hawk College. Points out higher level of achievement and higher dropout rate as…

Results show that student differences in time-on-task to learn to criterion are alterable and can be minimized over a sequence of learning units given appropriate adaptive learning strategies. (Author/DEP)

A new approach for teaching veterinary pathology instituted at the University of Georgia in 1970 is evaluated. Each student was told what was required in the form of behavioral objectives, given alternate sources of information in the form of autotutorial minicourses, and evaluated by formative, summative and mastery means. (Author/MLW)

Describes a general chemistry program involving small groups of students working together toward the mastery of performance objectives. Explains the administrative procedure for the program and provides an evaluation in terms of professor time, student attitude, and student achievement. (GS)

The SIU School of Medicine has completed a five-year experience applying an objectives-based approach to an entire curriculum. This paper describes the instructional system and the procedures for monitoring, maintaining, and improving it and provides available outcome data. (Author/LBH)

Presents abstracts of 17 documents from "Resources in Education" on programed instruction, personalized system of instruction, and computer-assisted instruction. (PD)

A survey of relevant research strongly suggests that the Personalized System of Instruction (PSI) offers considerable potential for community college instruction. It has five main features: students move at their own rates of speed, utilize written study guides, demonstrate mastery of each unit before continuing, meet with proctors for periodic…

This handbook describes a college level self-pacing mastery learning corrective and developmental reading program in the areas of study skills, vocabulary, comprehension, reading in the content areas, critical reading, and rate flexibility. Each learning module contains a program of learning experiences, performance competencies, a topic, a…

This study used a self-instructional geography unit in 20 seventh-grade classes to assess the effects of a mastery learning procedure and aptitude upon learning, retention and time spent on studying the unit. It was found that differences between aptitude levels were increased rather than diminished when self-instructional materials were used.…

Mastery learning has been called cold and impersonal. On the contrary, it is humane because it allows for individual differences, emphasizes each student's ability to master the subject at hand, and provides honest and opencommunication between students and instructors. (DC)