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Mastery: Why Deeper Learning Is Essential in an Age of Distraction
“If you’ve ever wondered why our education system feels stuck in the past, this book delivers both a powerful critique and a bold vision for the future.” —Daniel H. Pink, #1 New York Times–bestselling author of Drive
How much information is forgotten almost immediately after it is taught? How many students graduate from high school unprepared for careers where lifelong learning is essential to succeed? These problems stem from an educational system that uses time spent in a classroom and the results of standardized, multiple-choice tests as proxies for actual understanding. Educators Tony Wagner and Ulrik Juul Christensen call for a radical new system of learning, where students progress individually when they demonstrate that they can use what they have learned—no matter how long it takes to get there. This is called mastery learning, and it is the future of education.
This book shows how mastery learning is already being put to use in the United States and around the world, from kindergarten to college and in the workplace. Through conversations with teachers, students, parents, policymakers, and employers, Wagner and Christensen show how mastery improves motivation and prepares students for productive work, an engaged civic life, and personal growth and well-being. They also outline the challenges of adopting mastery learning and how to overcome them. Mastery is an urgent call to action to transform education for all.
How much information is forgotten almost immediately after it is taught? How many students graduate from high school unprepared for careers where lifelong learning is essential to succeed? These problems stem from an educational system that uses time spent in a classroom and the results of standardized, multiple-choice tests as proxies for actual understanding. Educators Tony Wagner and Ulrik Juul Christensen call for a radical new system of learning, where students progress individually when they demonstrate that they can use what they have learned—no matter how long it takes to get there. This is called mastery learning, and it is the future of education.
This book shows how mastery learning is already being put to use in the United States and around the world, from kindergarten to college and in the workplace. Through conversations with teachers, students, parents, policymakers, and employers, Wagner and Christensen show how mastery improves motivation and prepares students for productive work, an engaged civic life, and personal growth and well-being. They also outline the challenges of adopting mastery learning and how to overcome them. Mastery is an urgent call to action to transform education for all.
290 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 16, 2025
17 people are currently reading
61 people want to read
About the author
Tony Wagner
15 booksLibrarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
July 22, 2025
"Mastery: Why Deeper Learning is Essential in an Age of Distraction" is a compelling deep dive into the science of learning, with clear practical ideas for how leaders and educators can leverage these insights in classrooms and the workplace.
“Mastery” begins by anchoring the reader into a review of how the current educational system in the Western world got to how it is today. In this overview, the reader is introduced to the ways in which the current popular approach to thinking about learning is flawed and damaging.
The authors then take their key mastery learning principles and illustrate what it could look like if various systems were reimagined with these principles in mind. From kindergarten through 8th grade, secondary school, university settings, to adult learning in the workplace, they do a thorough look at each setting and how a mastery learning approach could make a difference.
The key pillars of mastery learning are intuitive and straight-forward (give learners agency, deliberate practice and feedback loops, focus on proficiency not on the time it takes to learn). These strategies are underpinned by 3 enabling mindsets and philosophical approaches to learning (growth mindset, grit, curiosity).
I really liked how well the authors integrate several important concepts from the last 20-30 years’ research in education and human development in a cohesive way. I’d previously encountered concepts like growth mindset, grit, and deliberate practice, but I hadn’t before seen these ideas brought together in this way before. It makes a lot of sense and the relationships between these ideas are explained clearly and with plenty of examples.
Overall, I found this a strong contribution to the field of learning sciences and human development studies. The authors do a nice job of weaving in theory and real life examples and case studies to bring each idea to life.
I’d recommend this book to school administrators, leaders in higher education, and HR/organizational development professionals eager to support learning in a workplace setting. There are a lot of useful takeaways and practical insights that this book offers.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for early access to this book in exchange for an honest review.
“Mastery” begins by anchoring the reader into a review of how the current educational system in the Western world got to how it is today. In this overview, the reader is introduced to the ways in which the current popular approach to thinking about learning is flawed and damaging.
The authors then take their key mastery learning principles and illustrate what it could look like if various systems were reimagined with these principles in mind. From kindergarten through 8th grade, secondary school, university settings, to adult learning in the workplace, they do a thorough look at each setting and how a mastery learning approach could make a difference.
The key pillars of mastery learning are intuitive and straight-forward (give learners agency, deliberate practice and feedback loops, focus on proficiency not on the time it takes to learn). These strategies are underpinned by 3 enabling mindsets and philosophical approaches to learning (growth mindset, grit, curiosity).
I really liked how well the authors integrate several important concepts from the last 20-30 years’ research in education and human development in a cohesive way. I’d previously encountered concepts like growth mindset, grit, and deliberate practice, but I hadn’t before seen these ideas brought together in this way before. It makes a lot of sense and the relationships between these ideas are explained clearly and with plenty of examples.
Overall, I found this a strong contribution to the field of learning sciences and human development studies. The authors do a nice job of weaving in theory and real life examples and case studies to bring each idea to life.
I’d recommend this book to school administrators, leaders in higher education, and HR/organizational development professionals eager to support learning in a workplace setting. There are a lot of useful takeaways and practical insights that this book offers.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for early access to this book in exchange for an honest review.
January 1, 2026
"Mastery" by Tony and Ulrik is a powerful reminder that real learning goes beyond the classroom. The book brings together the essential skills every student needs to thrive in life, not just in school. I believe mastering these skills would benefits both students and teachers alike.
I especially love how the authors highlight seven lifelong abilities that aren’t often taught in formal education: critical thinking, collaboration, adaptability, initiative, communication, information literacy, and curiosity. These are the skills that help us grow, stay relevant, and make a real impact in whatever we do.
I especially love how the authors highlight seven lifelong abilities that aren’t often taught in formal education: critical thinking, collaboration, adaptability, initiative, communication, information literacy, and curiosity. These are the skills that help us grow, stay relevant, and make a real impact in whatever we do.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews