Personalized System of Instruction (PSI or Keller Plan)

To implement the PSI method, course material is divided into units, each containing a reading assignment, study questions, co-lateral references, study problems, and any necessary introductory or explanatory material. The student studies the units sequentially at the rate, time, and place he prefers. When he feels that he has completely mastered the material, a proctor gives him a "readiness test" to see if he may proceed to the next unit. This proctor is a student who has been carefully chosen for his mastery of the course material. On the "readiness test" the student must make a grade of 100, but if the student misses only a few questions, the proctor can probe to see if the questions are ambiguous and can reword the questions if necessary. If the student does not successfully complete the test, he is told to restudy the unit more thoroughly. He receives a different test form each time he comes to be tested. No matter how many times a student is required to retake a unit, his grade is not affected; the only interest is that he ultimately demonstrate his proficiency. All students who complete the course receive a grade of A.

Lectures are given at stated intervals during the course to students who have completed a specified number of units and can therefore understand the material to be covered. The students who qualify for a lecture are not required to attend them; and the lecture material is not covered on any examination.

The basic features of the PSI methods are:

1. The go-at-your-own-pace feature, which permits a student to move through the course at a speed commensurate with his ability and other demands upon his time.
2. The unit —perfection requirement for advance, which lets the student go ahead to new material only after demonstrating mastery of that which preceded.
3. The use of lectures as vehicles of motivation, rather than sources of critical information.
4. The related stress upon the written work in teacher-student communication; and, finally:
5. The use of proctors, which permits repeated testing, immediate scoring, almost unavoidable tutoring, and a marked enhancement of the personal-social aspect of the educational process.

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Mechanical Engineering
The College of Engineering
The University of Texas at Austin
© Billy V. Koen and Mitch Pryor