School of Thinking

Packed Lectures Are Out at MIT

Posted on January 14th, 2009 by Michael

Physicists across the US are pushing for universities to do a better job of teaching science and M.I.T. has made a striking change.

The physics department has replaced the traditional large introductory lecture with smaller classes that emphasize hands-on, interactive, collaborative learning.

Last fall, after years of experimentation and debate and resistance from students, who initially petitioned against it, the department made the change permanent. Already, attendance is up and the failure rate has dropped by more than 50 percent.

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One Response to “Packed Lectures Are Out at MIT”


  1. Tricia Says:

    Sounds brilliant and I wish I had been introduced to physics this way. I may have actually learned something then.