The Personalized System of Instruction: Review and Applications to Distance Education

Abstract

The present paper (a) outlines the basic features of the Personalized System of Instruction (PSI); (b) provides a brief history of PSI; and (c) describes the application of PSI to distance education. Some common misconceptions about PSI are also addressed. PSI is presented as a helpful universally applicable set of instructional practices that are well suited to distance teaching and learning.

Key Terms: Personalized System of Instruction, distance learning, computer-based instruction, mastery-learning, self-pacing, higher-order objectives, scholarship of teaching, proctors, tutoring.