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…

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…

At McCook Community College (MCC) in Nebraska, a teachers' guide was developed to introduce the goals and processes of outcomes-based learning (also termed competency-based education and mastery learning) to the college faculty. Several procedures were used: a review of the literature, an analysis of two previously existing manuals, and a review…

Describes the use of an instructional model for composition involving five procedures: a rationale, instructional objectives, pre-assessment, learning activities, and evaluation. (MKM)

A description is provided of a project that was conducted to design, implement, and evaluate traditional and guided-practice instructional modules for independent learning of word processing skills. After an overview of the project, the report outlines the following steps in module development: identifying an instructional goal, conducting an…

Vocational-technical students (n=92) and liberal arts students (n=156) were the subjects of a study conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of four instructional strategies intended to produce mastery. Strategies employed were: traditional instruction with no make-up exams; unlimited make-up exams with end of semester deadline; unlimited make-up…

This article compares the findings of two administrations of a questionnaire designed to determine how community colleges were responding in terms of attitudes and methods to the flood of poorly prepared students entering under open admissions policies. The questionnaire was sent to a 20 percent random sample of two-year colleges nationwide;…

In spring 1981, resources were allocated for the establishment of the Center for the Improvement of Teaching and Learning, which would coordinate strategies to improve methods of instruction and learning in the community colleges of the United States. The emphasis of the Center is on the development of strategies that require relatively small…

A criterion-referenced approach to a physical science course for nonmajors was implemented at Rhode Island Junior College. The basic unit of knowledge for this study was motion and the related topics of force, work, energy, power, and momentum. At completion, each student was expected to exhibit the ability to: (1) use energy more efficiently, (2)…

An individually-paced, open-entry/open-ended mastery learning approach for a state-wide civil engineering technology curriculum was developed, field-tested, and evaluated. Learning modules relying heavily on audiovisuals and hands-on experience, and based on 163 identified competencies, were developed for 11 courses in the curriculum. Written…

Describes a study of the effects of mastery learning strategies, interactive video mathematics, individualized instruction, and traditional lectures on community college student achievement, comparing outcomes by instructional method and student characteristics. Finds higher achievement for mastery learning and video methods and for adults 22…

In order to determine the effectiveness of using student performance contracts in social science courses, the author chose two sections of the course entitled "The Individual in Modern Society" and two sections of the course entitled "Social Problems" for a controlled experiment. One section of each course used the contract format, whereby…

The Flex Lab at Santa Fe Community College, in New Mexico, is a self-paced, computer-assisted training center that allows students to accommodate college credit courses into their schedules. The Lab offers courses in introductory computers, keyboarding, and various computer programs and emphasizes several features of the Personalized System of…

Faculty members are the most important resource for attaining high student achievement and retention rates. At the City Colleges of Chicago (CCC), interviews with instructors who achieved over 90% retention for the Spring 1979 semester revealed that their courses were well-structured, used materials related to students' needs, and did not rely…

The effects of mastery learning strategies, interactive video mathematics (IVM), individualized instruction (IND), and the lecture method on mathematics achievement of community college students was studied. Interactions among instructional methods, gender, and age were examined; and the grade success rate was determined for each instructional…