Sixth article

the predominant mode of instruction in universities

Lecturing

Constructivist learning theory

challenges traditional lecturing, emphasizes students constructing their own understanding rather than passively receiving information.

What is the "pipeline problem" in STEM education?

The issue where less than 40% of U.S. students who start university interested in STEM complete a STEM degree, with even lower retention among underrepresented minorities.

How does active learning impact student performance in STEM?

Active learning increases exam scores by nearly 0.47 standard deviations and reduces failure rates by 55%.

Active learning is particularly beneficial in

small classes and for improving conceptual understanding.

How does active learning compare to traditional lecturing in terms of student ranking?

A student performing at the 50th percentile under lecturing would move to the 68th percentile with active learning.

How does active learning impact final grades?

Active learning improves final grades by approximately 0.3 points, shifting the median grade from B- to B or B to B+.

How does the failure rate compare between traditional lecturing and active learning?

Under traditional lecturing, the failure rate is 33.8%, while under active learning, it drops to 21.8%.

How could active learning impact the STEM workforce?

Increasing retention rates in STEM from 40% to 50% could meet 75% of the U.S. goal to produce one million more STEM graduates in the next decade.