Transforms the debate over cooperative learning and Hunter's mastery teaching model by illustrating how both approaches reinforce each other. Mastery teaching synthesizes the most rewarding aspects of traditional expository instruction, while cooperative learning breathes life into that teaching by inviting both students and teachers to become…

Examines a model of the effects of parent-child affective quality and young adolescent sense of mastery on young adolescent oppositional behavior. The model includes direct and indirect effects of parent-child affective quality on those behaviors. Testing with two samples generally supported the hypothesized model. (Author/MKA)

Compared mastery motivation on 2 tasks for 1- and 2-year-old children--25 with motor impairment, 25 with developmental delays, and 25 with typical development, but all matched for mental age. Found that the groups did not differ on any measure of mastery motivation. (MDM)

Capstone is defined in the dictionary as "putting the final stone in place." Business Policy or Strategic Management is typically the capstone class in a business management degree program. As such, there are prerequisite requirements in terms of courses and specific knowledge. We have implemented a competency test for the capstone class and…

This paper is concerned with the importance of testing and developing integrated multilevel educational effectiveness models through comparative studies in educational effectiveness. It is argued that secondary analyses of international comparative studies could help researchers test and develop integrated multilevel educational effectiveness…

Educational researchers have examined the effect of achievement goals on student performance, and suggest that both mastery goals and performance-approach goals are beneficial, whereas performance-avoidance goals are harmful. Recent research proposes that these results may not be generalized in the domain of music. The purpose of the present study…

The primary purpose of this exploratory study is to provide insight on how to use online discussions to foster collaborative learning and how to design assessment processes to evaluate the effectiveness of those discussions. This study focuses on the pedagogical role of discussion, effective practices in discussion, guidelines for creating…

This book proposes strategies for improving high schools based on high standards, particularly the idea of the Certificate of Initial Mastery (CIM), and discusses changes necessary to ensure that all students attain mastery. Part 1, "Where We Are and Where We Ought to Be," contains two chapters. In "Just Passing Through: The Life of…

This monograph reports on a study of six child prodigies whose talents are manifested in writing, music, and mathematics. The boys, aged 3.5-9 years, were observed in natural settings and while practicing their talent specialty, and interviews were conducted with the boys, their parents, and their teachers. The study concludes that prodigies focus…

Literature on achievement effects of practical applications of group-based mastery learning in elementary and secondary schools over at least four weeks is examined, using the best-evidence synthesis review technique (a combination of meta-analysis and narrative reviews). There was essentially no evidence to support the effectiveness of…

Modeling the behaviors they expect students to exhibit is one way teachers can teach comprehension skills. Teachers need to give multiple examples wherein the teacher models every behavior students should exhibit, giving the answer to the question, and giving the line of reasoning followed to arrive at the answer. To teach each separate…

Reviews research on mastery learning approaches to instruction. (MKM)

Examines Bloom's theories of mastery learning as developed in his book--"Human Characteristics and School Learning." (IRT)

Instructional alignment is the extent to which stimulus conditions match three instructional components. This paper demonstrates a new perspective in which instructional alignment generates larger effects in research and practice for less "cost" than other instructional constructs. (VM)

This article examines the literature on achievement effects of practical applications of grouped-based mastery learning in elementary and secondary schools. The review found no evidence to support the claim that mastery learning improves student performance on standardized achievement measures. (RB)