Better Recall, but Worse Course Evaluations – Switching from Lectures to Adaptive Learning

Abstract

We sought to determine if replacing lectures with an online adaptive learning platform resulted in changes to academic performance and student evaluations in a biomedical systems course. Using a mixed method, retrospective study approach, we evaluated a biomedical systems course using either lectures or an online adaptive learning platform for content delivery for subsequent classes. While both classes exhibited similar demographics, adaptive learning produced significantly higher score gains on pretest/posttests compared to lectures but more critical student feedback and no change in overall course performance.

Keywords: student evaluation, lecture, adaptive learning, professional, learning

https://doi.org/10.9743/JEO.2022.19.1.12