Science, Wired Highlight Smith’s Active-Learning Research
Findings of a research team that included University of Maine biologist Michelle Smith have been highlighted by Science, Wired and The Chronicle of Higher Education. The study, led by University of Washington biology lecturer Scott Freeman, found that 55 percent more students fail lecture-based science, engineering and math courses than classes with some active learning. The researchers also found that active learning improved students’ exam performance — in some cases enough to change grades by half a letter or more.