Effectiveness of Mastery Learning: An Indian Experience

As a nation we have moved from the agricultural age to the information age, change are taking place rapidly in the economic arena due to the advances in the technology, However, similar change have yet to be made in education. Student characteristics as well as societal expectations have changed, while traditional methods and modes of instruction are Still employed by a large number of educators. This is leading to a growing concern and therefore there is need to study and evaluate non traditional methods and modes of instruction Mastery learning is an alternative non traditional method of teaching and learning that involves the students reaching a level of predetermined mastery on units of instruction before being allowed to progress to the next unit. The mastery learning method divides the subject being allowed to progress to the next unit. The mastery learning methods divides the subject matter into units that have predetermined objectives or unit expectations. Students alone or in groups work through each unit in an organized fashion. Students must demonstrate mastery on the exam typically eighty percent before moving on to new material. Students who do not achieve mastery receive remediation through tutoring, peer monitoring, small group discussion or additional homework. Additional time for learning is prescribed for those requiring remediation. Students continue the cycle of studying and testing until mastery is met. This book presents definition, the history, a literature review and implementation experience of mastery learning. It presents the effectiveness of mastery learning in teaching of science. The effectiveness of Mastery learning was seen in terms of achievement, academic motivation among students, generating cooperation, positive effects on the pupil’s initiative to learn and students of varying abilities achieving to the maximum. Mastery learning assumes to be suitable alternative strategy of instruction to be used in the classroom to bring about effective learning out comes,, though it should be continually improved through research and its practical implementation can be brought about through the required alternations in the existing school systems, to serve the purpose of education of helping the learner learn to the mastery level.