Mastery learning is an instructional approach that empowers every student to progress with confidence. Using flexible pacing and targeted supports, teachers guide students through a cyclic process of preparation, demonstration, and formative feedback until there is a mutual agreement between teacher and student that the student is ready to…

Purpose: Engaging students in environmental citizenship to promote education for sustainability (EfS) as an explicit goal of academic courses is not common, notwithstanding wide consensus on its importance. Collaborative learning has rarely been investigated using action research methods in the context of environmental citizenship in higher…

The purpose of this article is to critically apply the mastery TARGET structures (task, authority, recognition, grouping, evaluation and time) to the cooperative learning (CL) model in physical education. The premise is that the TARGET structures are highly applicable to the CL model and that combining both approaches will optimize student…

Teachers in rural Native American Pueblo schools in New Mexico lack professional development opportunities due to the long distances between the Pueblos and academic institutions. Previously, most schools received "hit and run" professional development sessions conducted once or twice a year that did not address the real issues faced by…

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…

Compares two learning strategies, cooperative learning and mastery learning, and indicates ways in which the two are natural complements to each other. Discusses four premises shared by the approaches and considers ways in which each approach helps solve implementation problems associated with the other. Research on the combined implementation of…

Slavin discusses cooperative learning and the "best evidence" approach to research synthesis. Critiques Benjamin Bloom's mastery learning, Madeline Hunter's program, and expert-novice studies. Introduces his current program called "Success for All," which targets early childhood education and stresses success the first time…

Examines the historical background of mastery learning, discussing computer assisted instruction (CAI), cooperative learning, and constructivist learning as related to mastery learning. CAI is described as a tool to help teachers when using mastery learning. Comparisons between cooperative and mastery learning are made, and support for research…

During the past five years, East Islip (New York) School District has developed an outcome-based curriculum and instructional format focusing on student mastery of thinking skills. Connecting mastery learning with thinking skills provides a framework allowing students to make their own connections between instructional fragments, classroom…

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…

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…

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 book relies on three categories (visions, contexts, and roles) to explore school renewal as promulgated by participants in the National Education Association's Mastery in Learning Project. Following MIL Project Director Robert McClure's introduction covering participants' collegiality-building experiences, the "Visions" section…

Discussion of how to integrate computers into the classroom focuses on seven principles of instruction: (1) mastery learning; (2) overlearning and automaticity; (3) cooperative learning; (4) monitoring student progress; (5) immediate feedback; (6) learning styles; and (7) classroom management. Guidelines for using computers to support the…

Reviews recent research on student achievement, self-concept, and curriculum and instruction showing the ineffectiveness of tracking and ability grouping. Certain court rulings show that tracking violates the equal protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. Innovative alternatives include cooperative learning, mastery learning, peer tutoring,…