IDENTIFIERS CurricUlum Alignment

This workshop was presented on outcome-based education and described how the instructional method called mastery learning compliments it and can be adapted for social work education. Although outcome-based education involves creating clearly outlined expected student outcomes, by itself'it is not an instructional method. Mastery learning is a behavioral instructional method that involves using time flexibly to increase student learning. Some of the essential elements of mastery learning include: (1) choosing instructional content; (2) writing instructional objectives; (3) performing vertical and horizontal curriculum alignment; (4) communicating learning objectives to students; and (5) criterion referenced instead of norm referenced grading. Mastery learning has been successfully used in higher education and social work education. The essential elements of mastery learning can be implemented in whole or in part, and in ways ranging from simple to complex. Several ways are discussed on how social work educator