Project-based mastery learning. In contrast, using project-based mastery learning, teaching
and learning continues until students gain a target level of mastery of core knowledge and skill
areas. Students will learn by performing projects that require the integration of multiple skills and
understandings. Instructors provide student work at each step of a student’s project. Grades are
given only at the completion of student work. This practice functions to orient the student’s
attention to the work itself rather than to the grade as a primary goal in a course of study.
and learning continues until students gain a target level of mastery of core knowledge and skill
areas. Students will learn by performing projects that require the integration of multiple skills and
understandings. Instructors provide student work at each step of a student’s project. Grades are
given only at the completion of student work. This practice functions to orient the student’s
attention to the work itself rather than to the grade as a primary goal in a course of study.
Cultivating a Growth-through-Perseverance Mindset
Many students come to college with a belief that their intelligence and abilities are fixed and
unchangeable. In contrast, students who believe that skills and abilities change and develop through
effort and hard work tend to persevere longer and attain higher levels of achievement. For such
students, failure is not so much a signal of lack of ability, but instead an indicator of the need for
additional effort to learn. By turning ownership of projects over to students while providing intensive
guidance and support for improvement, the growth-through-perseverance mindset is built into the
fabric of the project-based mastery approach.
Many students come to college with a belief that their intelligence and abilities are fixed and
unchangeable. In contrast, students who believe that skills and abilities change and develop through
effort and hard work tend to persevere longer and attain higher levels of achievement. For such
students, failure is not so much a signal of lack of ability, but instead an indicator of the need for
additional effort to learn. By turning ownership of projects over to students while providing intensive
guidance and support for improvement, the growth-through-perseverance mindset is built into the
fabric of the project-based mastery approach.
Intensive Support for Higher-Level Learning
Optimal learning occurs as instructors provide high standards and intensive
support for student learning. Beyond the provision of continuous feedback for
student work, each student is assigned a mentor who provides guidance and
academic support as needed throughout the student’s education. At each step of
the learning process, faculty hold students accountable for putting forth effort
and activity needed to achieve high quality work.
Optimal learning occurs as instructors provide high standards and intensive
support for student learning. Beyond the provision of continuous feedback for
student work, each student is assigned a mentor who provides guidance and
academic support as needed throughout the student’s education. At each step of
the learning process, faculty hold students accountable for putting forth effort
and activity needed to achieve high quality work.
The Traditional “One-Shot-Learning” Approach. In many college settings,
students learn by attending lectures, reading textbooks, and taking tests. After
receiving a grade on a test, learning about a topic generally ceases; the class
proceeds to the next topic. As a result, there is no opportunity to return to
partially learned knowledge and skills in order to rework and improve them.
students learn by attending lectures, reading textbooks, and taking tests. After
receiving a grade on a test, learning about a topic generally ceases; the class
proceeds to the next topic. As a result, there is no opportunity to return to
partially learned knowledge and skills in order to rework and improve them.