Mastery Learning in Theory and in Practical Innovation

Lahdes, E. 1983 Mastery Learning in Theory and Practical Innovation. Scandinavian Journal of Educational Research 27, 89‐107. Mastery learning strategies represent a bold attempt to develop an ‘encouraging’ theory and practice of teaching. It has a theoretical and philosophical foundation, as a result of which mastery learning stands out from many other more narrowly‐based innovatory schools of thought. In this article main traits of the theory are sketched as well as some of its main relations to other educational innovatory approaches. Against this background a Finnish school experiment is presented in which the experimental group's curriculum followed the principles of mastery learning theory. The positive results are discussed as well as the mastery learning strategy's advantages and the practical difficulties restricting its usage in schools.