LEARNING PROGRESS IN CASE OF COHERENT SUBJECT-MATTER - A STUDY ON THESTABILITY OF ACHIEVEMENT LEVELS AND DROP-OUT PHENOMENA

In case of coherent subject matter like mathematics or physics for exa mple the acquisition of new knowledge depends on prerequisite knowledg e. A mathematical approach is given here to calculate the accumulation of knowledge regarding the dependency of learning progress on the stu dent's achievement level. The resulting differential equations are sol ved analytically Stable achievement levels are the result of habits st udy which can be defined as the disposition to work spontaneously and the disposition to self control and to invest additional learning time in case of learning deficits. There exist combinations of these indiv idual parameters which result in a drop out process. Appropriate habit s study thus can be deduced from a mathematical model, of learning.