2. INTRODUCTION
Personalized system of instruction (PSI) is
one of the latest innovations that have been introduced in higher education
to individualized instruction. In the 1960’s, Fred.S.Keller, J Gilmour
Sherman and others developed a synthesis of educational methods and
practices that has often be called Keller Plan or the personalized system of
instruction (PSI).
Keller Plan approachto instruction is very is different
from the traditional lecture method. And the earliest way to understand
how the Keller Plan works is to constructit with more traditional
approachto instruction.Personalised system of instruction is a teaching
technique that involves dividing coursematerial into segments ,evaluating
learner performance on each segment for subject mastery, and allowing
learners to move from segment to segment at their own pace.
Personalized system of instruction is a personoriented.PSI gets its
name from the fact that each student is served as an individual by another person,
face to face and one to one, it spite of a large class. I the1960’s, Fred Keller
devised a teaching plan which is now known as a Keller Plan or personalized
system of instruction.
The Keller Plan is based on certain fundamental observations:
If student are all expected to achieve mastery, then they cannot all be expected to
do it at the same time.
Smaller amount of material are more digestible than larger amounts. This leads to
the adaptation of a modularized course.
3. Students will learn better if they are given frequent and immediate rewards. These
rewards are, in the Keller Plan feedbacks on tests and credited marks for success in
each units.
OBJECTIVE OF THE PSI
To establish better personal and social relationship between the teacher and the
student.
To provide frequent reinforcement to the learner in his teaching.
To provide feedback to the teacher to revise the content and instructional
procedure.
To make use of variety of techniques in instruction.
To help the learner to proceed at his own rate of learning.
DISTINCTIVE FEATURES OF PSI
Self-pacing
The learner is allowed to work at his own pace. Heis not forced to work at the seed
of the teacher or other learner.
Use of Multimedia
Lecture, audio-visual presentation and other live events are presented.
Use of proctors
Repeated testing, immediate scoring and tutoring are done by proctors
(Instructors having specialized knowledge)
Mastery learning
The learner is allowed to go to the new material only after achieving mastery in
earlier one
4. Written work
Much emphasis is laid on the written work.
Some of the particular features which Keller Plan are discussed in detail below.
WRITTEN MATERIAL
Most Keller Plan course has relied on written material as the
primary means of students / teacher communication. Unit materials are somewhat
different from those which are usually reprinted for student use. There will be little
opportunity for guided discussion. The teacher is free to written his or her analysis
of any of the written material.
UNIT TESTS
In the typical Keller Plan implementation, students are free to test at specified
times during the week. There is no penalty for failure of unit test. A test is
generally short (20 min) and consists of variety of question type.
PROCTORS
Proctors administer the test provide immediate reinforcement for the student
performance, Instant feedback is possible and a small amount of tutoring is
inevitable although proctors are not engaged to act as traditional tutors. In a typical
implementation, a proctorwould be responsible for 15-20 students.
5. LECTURES
The Keller plan calls for a few noncompulsory lectures and extra
demonstrations. The purpose of thus lectures is motivational only. The content is
not examinable. The lectures help to combats the sense of isolation that may
develop by providing an occasion for teachers and students to get together.
FINAL EXAMINATION
The initial Keller plan did not included a final examination. Keller
himself introduced final examination in later courses.
ADVANTAGES OF PSI
1. Research studies indicate that PSI is better than traditional method in improving
student’s performance.
2. The PSIis not only useful in the teaching of factual in the teaching concepts.
3. THE PSI strengthens interpersonal relationship between the proctorand the
learner.
4. In terms of time and efforts put by the learners, this method efficient.
5. The use of the PSI develops positive attitude in leaners towards education.
LIMITATIONS OF PSI
It requires a lot of time and effort for properpreparation of programs
There is resistance from the traditionalist to accept it innovative practices
The use of multimedia and especially Audio-Visual aids is quit cost.
6. The use of the PSI requires restructuring of the present classroomwhich involves
great financial liabilities.
Re orientation courses are essential to train the teachers in written course units
CONCLUSION
Personalized system of instruction is a teaching technique that involves
dividing course material into segments, evaluating leaner performance on each
segment for subject mastery, and allowing leaners to move from segment to
segment for subject their own pace. Personalized system of instruction is one of the
latest innovations that have been introduced in higher education to individualized
instruction.
REFERENCE
1. www.edexellence .net/library/carnine.html
2. Miller, L.K. (1997). Principles of everyday Behaviour analysis Pacific
Grove,
3. http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi.
4. Keller,F.S.(1968)Goodbye teacher...Journal of applied Behaviour Analysis
5. Modern Educational technology. Anuradha Sharma.