By fully mastering each concept before moving on to the next, each new block is firmly supported by the solid blocks beneath it.
Learning is like any other kind of building.
When we build a house, or a bookstore, or a doctor's office, we fully understand the necessity of a strong foundation.
Each block must be solid and strong before another block is laid on top of it or the structure will be weak and may collapse.
Learning is the same.
When one concept is not fully mastered before a student moves on to the next, the foundation is not solid enough to add new blocks.
To the degree that the foundation blocks are shaky, any blocks that are added later will make very little sense.
Research has shown that more than 90% of all people can achieve mastery (defined as learning to the 85% level or higher).
But this can happen only when the time spent learning equals the time needed, and when the student learns in a way that matches his or her learning style.
Learning does not take place in classrooms, it takes place in the individual minds of students.
Many people have never experienced mastery.
This is not because they are not capable of it.
It is because there has been a mismatch between their personal learning time and learning style needs and the instruction they have experienced so far.
We have made the error of viewing excellence as a goal that only a select few will achieve.
In fact, it is a pathway, where each individual student is at a different place along the road, but all can and should arrive.
What Happens Next When a Child Does Not Achieve Mastery? Once mastery gaps develop, they must be filled or any further learning in that subject becomes more and more overwhelming.
Since people can achieve mastery only at their own speed, and only by using their own learning style, when they are forced to move at a speed that is wrong for them, or when they do not make the learning their own through their own learning style, gaps develop that impact everything they attempt to learn from that point on.
If an earlier element has not been mastered yet, it is essential to identify this as a gap and back up to master it.
Then, and only then, concepts that depend on this element can be built on top of it.
What does Mastery Learning Change The reverse is also true.
When gaps are filled, and when a student's time and learning style needs are met, they can and will achieve mastery -- 85% or above.
And this too will impact everything that follows.
Building from strength, they will continue to excel.
And by excelling, they will experience the boost in self-esteem that comes with knowing that they have done so.
One-on-one, in-home tutoring can make a life-impacting difference in such cases.
Once a child develops learning gaps, individual attention is critical to success.
A one-on-one tutor can work with the unique mind, and at the optimum learning pace, of an individual child.
Mastery Learning is an experience that builds upon itself.
Once students have had the experience of mastery, from that point on:
- They know what it feels like to know, and to know that they know.
- They know when learning is not solid YET, and what it will take for them, individually, to remedy this.
- They experience increased self-esteem.
- They expand their self-efficacy expectations--the perception of what is and is not within their reach, personally.
Learning success is possible.
And learning matters.
At any age, learning gaps shut out future gains and confidence.
And learning success opens those doors.
The potential to learn is there...
one mind at a time.