Evaluating the Impact of an Active Learning Institute on Student Success

• In Event: AERA Poster Session Wednesday 11:45am
  In Poster Session: Div J, Section 4 Poster Session 1

Abstract

This study evaluates the effectiveness of the Active Learning Institute (ALI), an eight-session faculty development program at a large R1 institution. Using institutional data from Fall 2019-Spring 2024 covering 4,676 instructors, 2,551 courses, and over 70,000 students, we examined who benefits from AL-certified instructors and the program's impact on student success. Results show that while only 6% of instructors were AL-certified (n=285), 90% of students took at least one course with an AL-certified instructor. We observed significant increases in course grades for students who took with faculty post-certification, as well as additional benefits for courses taught in active learning classrooms. These findings demonstrate that structured faculty development programs can create substantial pedagogical change at scale.

Authors

• Kameryn Denaro, University of California - Irvine

• Jeffrey M. DeVries, University of California - Irvine

• Richard B. Arum, University of California - Irvine