Two studies involving 331 children ages 9 to 11 years examined the proposal that the functions served by children's attention to peers' work differ in informational focus and in goal focus. Goal condition affected goal, but not informational, functions of looking at peers' work. Implications for social comparison theory are discussed. (SLD)

Reviews recent research that can inform educational practice. Includes the influence of high school students' epistemological beliefs on academic performance; effects of cooperative and mastery learning on students' ability to generate higher-level questions; effects of knowledge maps on undergraduate learning; and comparison of learning by…

Discusses theories of learning; reviews previous generalizations for instructional design; and presents 21 guidelines for effective instructional design that are related to planning, preparation, implementation, and evaluation. Highlights include objectives; learner profiles; cognitive maps or schema; mastery learning techniques; metacognitive…

Researchers used a fifth-grade videodisc fractions program to examine accountability in mastery learning programs. Four classes were randomly assigned to two treatments (those who were and were not aware of participation in mastery learning). Results revealed standardized mean differences for achievement favoring knowledge of being in the mastery…

Examines meta analysis as a technique for reviewing literature, with a particular focus on the literature of instructional development. An example using meta analyses to study mastery learning is presented, and a summary of meta analytic studies of instructional variable effects on student achievement is included. (38 references) (LRW)

Describes the use of videodisk technology to deliver instruction to preservice and in-service teachers for mastery of earth science concepts, and discusses its use as a research tool to improve teacher preparation in science education instructional methods for elementary schools. A science teaching model that underlies the research program is…

Describes 10 methods of assessment that teachers can use alone or in combination: (1) multiple marking, (2) peer evaluation, (3) mastery learning, (4) contracted learning, (5) credit-no credit grading, (6) self-evaluation, (7) anecdotal records, (8) pupil profiles, (9) checklists, and (10) dossiers. (FL)

A strategy called "jigsawing" is described for promoting group work, while ensuring that individual needs of pupils with severe learning difficulties are met. A group activity is broken down into smaller components and each child or group is assigned tasks toward achievement of the overall activity aims. (PB)

This study found that special education teachers (n=18) effectively integrated two feedback routines into their teaching: a teacher-delivered elaborated feedback routine and an elaborated feedback plus student-acceptance routine. The routines were equally powerful in reducing the number of trials to mastery for students with learning disabilities.…

Mastery or "second chance" learning is easily adaptable to the principal's modeling through the classroom observation/supervision process. The five-step process (preobservation conference, performance of observation, postobservation conference, professional growth plan, and observation) helps teachers own the classroom observation process and…

This study examined maternal contributions to development of spontaneous mastery in 30 toddlers with and 31 without cerebral palsy. Mothers in the 2 groups did not differ in the quality and appropriateness of interactions with their children. Maternal involvement was found to contribute significantly to both spontaneous mastery and developmental…

This editorial contends that life-long learners can be created by teaching students how to learn in a mastery fashion and how to use interpersonal skills. School improvement can be achieved by implementing tools that have proved to be effective, such as cooperative learning, thematic learning, whole language, integrated curriculum, and learning…

In response to Alberta's Educational Quality Indicators initiative, Fort McMurray Catholic Schools implemented outcome-based mathematics instruction in 30 classrooms, grades 2-10. Collaborative planning and implementation of outcome-based education principles led to improvements in student achievement, attitudes, and responsibility. (SV)

The role of educational psychology classes is often implied because of its inclusion in most teacher education programs; however, the struggle over how to structure courses has often resulted in learning experiences that do not best meet the needs of all students. The major controversy centers on both the course content and methodology used by…

Students must be able to interpret, relate, and incorporate new information with existing knowledge and apply the new information to solve novel problems. Peer instruction is a cooperative learning technique that promotes critical thinking, problem solving, and decision-making skills. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that peer instruction…