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Science 1 February 1974:
Vol. 183. no. 4123, pp. 379 - 383
DOI: 10.1126/science.183.4123.379
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Articles

The Keller Plan in Science Teaching

An individually paced, student-tutored, and mastery-oriented instructional method is evaluated

James A. Kulik 1, Kevin Carmichael 1, and Chen-Lin Kulik 2

1 Center for Research on Learning and Teaching, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor 48104
2 Computing Center, University of Michigan

A review of evaluative research on the Keller plan establishes the following points:

1) The Keller plan is an attractive teaching method to most students. In every published report, students rate the Keller plan much more favorably than teaching by lecture.

2) Self-pacing and interaction with tutors seem to be the features of the Keller courses most favored by students.

3) Several investigators report higher-than-average withdrawal rates for their Keller sections. The conditions that influence withdrawal and procrastination in Keller courses have been studied, and it seems possible to control procrastination and withdrawal through course design.

4) Content learning (as measured by final examinations) is adequate in Keller courses. In the published studies, final examination performance in Keller sections always equals, and usually exceeds, performance in lecture sessions.

5) Students almost invariably report that they learn more in PSI than in lecture courses, and also nearly always report putting more time and effort into the Keller courses.


THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
Personalized System of Instruction Versus the Lecture-Demonstration. Method in a Specific Area of a College Music Appreciation Course.
J. Jumpeter (1985)
Journal of Research in Music Education 33, 113-122
   Abstract »    PDF »
Interactive Effects of Prior Mathematics Preparation and Level of Instructional Support in College Calculus.
E. T. Pascarella (1978)
American Educational Research Journal 15, 275-285
   Abstract »    PDF »
1: Mastery Learning.
J. H. Block and R. B. Burns (1976)
Review of Research in Education 4, 3-49
   PDF »
Effect of Differential Teaching Techniques on Achievement, Attitude, and Teaching Skills.
R. S. Moore (1976)
Journal of Research in Music Education 24, 129-141
   Abstract »    PDF »
Behavioral Instruction in the College Classroom.
A. L. Robin (1976)
Review of Educational Research 46, 313-354
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