Reviews and evaluates recent research on teaching and instruction. Considers the psychological elements of teaching and discusses simple teaching methods and those requiring special planning, student grouping, and materials. Describes effects unique to particular methods of teaching various subjects and special student populations. Includes 15…

Presents a simple technique to encourage independent student work in all subjects and grade levels. A plastic file box is kept for each subject and contains information needed to complete assignments, such as multiplication tables, maps, alphabets, and lists of parts of speech. Notes that using resources to complete assignments independently…

Describes an instructional systems design model for use in a college physical education program that is based on Keller's Personalized System of Instruction (PSI). Implementation in an introductory volleyball course is described; and four defining characteristics are discussed, including self-pacing, mastery-based learning, teacher as motivator,…

Describes a mastery-based learning design developed for an advertising skills course. Discusses the benefits of mastery-based learning for students and teachers. (MG)

As a Missouri school's experience shows, mastery learning and cooperative learning can produce more positive results when applied together than when used separately. An agenda for success depends on a strong mission statement, parent involvement, and teacher teams to develop corrective and enrichment activities. (five references) (MLH)

Describes the implementation of student active-learning methods into sections of mainstream, introductory general-chemistry courses. Discusses strategies used, including an absolute grading scale, use of informal "ConcepTests" in lectures, cooperative learning workshops, cooperative take-home examinations, and a student advisory…

It is not surprising that many struggling learners have low self-efficacy for academics. They believe that they lack the ability to succeed. Consequently, they tend to avoid academics and give up quickly when difficulties arise. This article suggests practical solutions based on self-efficacy theory to improve the motivation of struggling…

This article describes a university science course that integrates physics, education, and community outreach. The class both improves student mastery of science and teaching as well as addresses the university's mission to pursue research, education, and community service. The structure, implementation, and effectiveness of the course are…

In this article, the author argues that, if schools truly were based on standards, they would look much different than they do now. She describes the standards-based system of an experimental school in Colorado. Here, she discusses how students document their work in a variety of ways, such as: (1) various types of portfolios; (2) oral delivery;…

The momentum of Outcome Based Education (OBE) appears to be growing. This paper presents an overview of OBE and its prospects for successful educational change. Successful implementation requires 3 to 5 years; the involvement of administrators and staff in the development process; the use of a top-down approach; alignment of all areas with one…

This digest summarizes principles of performance assessment, which connects classroom assessment to learning. Specific ways that assessment can enhance instruction are outlined, as are criteria that assessments should meet in order to inform instructional decisions. Performance assessment is compared to behavioral assessment, mastery learning, and…

Educational changes implemented at Hunterdon Central Regional High School (New Jersey), based on a technical model that stresses mastery learning and is facilitated by a customized instructional technology, are described in this paper. A two-pronged strategy involves the formation of site-based management teams and a technology review committee.…

The challenge of providing appropriate education to learning-disabled students in the least restrictive environment led to creation of the Content Mastery Program. The program enables learning-disabled students to receive all major instruction in mainstream classrooms, through the cooperative effort of the classroom teacher and the special…

This paper discusses how the role of instructors changes as young learners advance along a mastery continuum, or a process of transition from an initial novice to an eventual expert status in the learning of a skill. Four stages along this continuum are: (1) acquisition, in which the learner does not know the task; (2) early consolidation, in…

This paper introduces a modification to the Rule Space diagnostic classification procedure to allow for processing of response vectors that contain missing data. Rule Space is an approach to diagnostic classification that involves characterizing examinees' performances in terms of an underlying cognitive model of generalized problem-solving…