The concept of mastery learning was formally identified and explained by Benjamin Bloom and his colleagues in 1968. Since that time, there have been strong supporters (Guskey, 2010; Hunter, 1982; Meece et al., 2006) and critics (Anderson & Burns, 1987; Arlin & Webster, 1983; Slavin, 1987, 1989) of this strategy and the educational…

Spaced practice is a recognized effective study approach that fosters mastery of learning and retention of information. In this paper, we share one instructor's experience in introducing a spaced practice intervention in a large general chemistry course and in encouraging students to continue the strategy in the next semester organic chemistry…

Students, instructors, and policy makers are in need of research-based recommendations for supporting students' motivation to pursue STEM fields. The present study addressed this need by examining relations between perceived motivational supports, year-long trajectories of expectancy for success and three task values, and grades among students (N…

Students have misconceptions about many scientific topics they encounter in the classroom--such misconceptions are especially rife in subjects with counterintuitive concepts. Several studies have copiously documented students' misconceptions in different science domains. Research shows that students' misconceptions can be resistant to change and…

How do we motivate students to practice and persist when facing challenges inherent in learning to play an instrument? In this article, I synthesize research findings into strategies to encourage students' mastery goal orientations and intrinsic motivation. Educators can use these strategies in the classroom or as inspiration to create innovative…

For decades there has been considerable research investigating educational climates in physical education. From those investigations, it is accurate to conclude that mastery motivational climates are a highly effective instructional approach when teaching motor skills and promoting physical activity engagement for young children. Due to this,…

Mastery goal structures, which communicate value for developing deeper understanding, are an important classroom support for student motivation and engagement, especially in the context of science learning aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards. Prior research has identified key dimensions of goal structures, but a more nuanced…

This article describes how coaches influence varying achievement orientations and motivation within youth sport and outlines how specific coaching behaviors can foster positive and enjoyable experiences for youth athletes. The examples outlined throughout this article are offered as easily implemented "how to" ideas in providing athletes…

The aim of this work is to examine the effects of a growth mindset intervention amongst first-year university students during a longitudinal study spanning over 1 month and to develop a model linking well-being and achievement variables. Growth mindset interventions, by teaching malleable instead of fixed self-conceptions, would allow students to…

Students' academic motivation decreases in middle grades; specifications grading (SG) may be one way to boost students' motivation by offering greater agency. In this mixed-methods, quasi-experimental study, we compared SG with traditional grading methods among 69 low-income, 8th grade math students. Results indicate that students in SG classes…

Based on self-determination theory and achievement goal theory, this study provided a serial multiple mediation model that examined how students' perceptions of teacher autonomy support (PTAS) relate to different achievement motivations (mastery and performance-approach goals), and further associate with students' intellectual risk-taking (IRT)…

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…

Background: Previous research has shown that pre-service teachers have low responsibility for student motivation and feel underprepared to deal with motivational issues. As an extension, researchers have designed interventions to shift teachers' beliefs about motivation or equip them with approaches to instruction, but never both. Aims: Following…

Purpose: To assess if high school students' leisure-time physical activity is predicted by their perception of the motivational climate, their perceived competence, and their achievement goals in physical education (PE) and if these variables interact with each other. Methods: A sample of 843 high school students completed self-reported…

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of TARGET- and feedback-manipulated climates in a short unit of study of a familiar task. Participants were fourth- and fifth-grade students (n = 170) from intact classes in two southeast United States elementary schools. Classes were assigned to learn a familiar skill during a one week unit…