Active learning increases student performance in science, engineering, and mathematics
Active learning increases student performance in science, engineering, and mathematics Scott Freeman, Sarah L. Eddy, Miles McDonough, Michelle K. Smith, Nnadozie Okoroafor, Hannah Jordt, and Mary Pat Wenderoth ...

Four frames for systemic change in STEM departments
× Four frames for systemic change in STEM departments Aimed specifically at change agents operating at the department level, this short article outlines four areas that change agents should focus on -- ...

Change theory and theory of change: what's the difference anyway?
Daniel L. Reinholz; and Tessa C. Andrews
This essay describes the connections between a theory of change and change theory and provides examples of how change theory can inform a project's theory of change.

Grassroots Efforts To Quantify and Improve the Academic Climate of an R1 STEM Department: Using Evidence-Based Discussions To Foster Community
Here, we present the outcomes of a graduate-student-led initiative that sought to assess the issues affecting inclusivity, diversity, and wellness within the Department of Chemistry at the University of California, Berkeley. We report how the results of a department-tailored academic climate survey were used to develop a method to foster open, productive discussion among graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and faculty.

Improving Learning and Reducing Costs: Fifteen Years of Course Redesign
Carol A. Twigg

Active learning narrows achievement gaps for underrepresented students in undergraduate science, technology, engineering, and math
Elli J. Theobald; Mariah J. Hill; Elisa Tran; Sweta Agrawal; E. Nicole Arroyo; Shawn Behling; Nyasha Chambwe; Dianne Laboy Cintrón; Jacob D. Cooper; Gideon Dunster; Jared A. Grummer; Kelly Hennessey; Jennifer Hsiao; Nicole Iranon; Leonard Jones II; Hannah Jordt; Marlowe Keller; Melissa E. Lacey; Caitlin E. Littlefield; Alexander Lowe; Shannon Newman; Vera Okolo; Savannah Olroyd; Brandon R. Peecook; Sarah B. Pickett; David L. Slager; Itzue W. Caviedes-Solis; Kathryn E. Stanchak; Vasudha Sundaravardan; Camila Valdebenito; Claire R. Williams; Kaitlin Zinsli; and Scott Freeman
This study is a comprehensive meta-analysis of research on the influence of active and traditional learning approaches on STEM course outcomes (exam scores and course failure rates) for underrepresented students. Time-intensive active learning experiences contributed to reduced achievement gaps in exam scores and pass rates. Researchers concluded that deliberate active-learning course designs and inclusive teaching contribute to increasing equity in STEM. Although this study does not discuss cost-benefits, it affirms the value of investing in pedagogical enhancements to increase student retention and success. In this case, the benefits are continuous tuition revenue through student retention and the moral imperative of reducing equity gaps.

Aligning practice to policies: changing the culture to recognize and reward teaching at research universities
Aligning practice to policies: changing the culture to recognize and reward teaching at research universities In this review, the authors highlight the gap between existing policies at many research institutions, ...

Accelerating change: The power of faculty change agents to promote diversity and inclusive teaching practices
R. Heather Macdonald, College of William and Mary; Rachel Beane, Bowdoin College; Eric Baer, Highline College; Pamela Eddy, College of William and Mary; Norlene Emerson, University of Wisconsin-Richland; Jan Hodder; University of Oregon; Ellen Iverson, Carleton College; John McDaris, Carleton College; Kristin O'Connell, Carleton College; Carol Ormand, Carleton College
This article about preparing faculty to act as change agents to support diversity and inclusion is applicable to both two-year colleges and a larger audience.

Shaping the Future of Higher Education: Practical, Community-Driven Initiatives to Improve Academic Climate
In this Editorial, we present the history and details of a collaborative effort to improve the academic climate of the Department of Chemistry at University of California, Berkeley.

Connecting the Stakeholders: Departments, Policy, and Research in Undergraduate Mathematics Education
Naneh Apkarian, Western Michigan University; Dana Kirin, Portland State University; Jessica Gehrtz, Colorado State University; Kristen Vroom, Portland State University
This article reports on major themes that arose from discussions at the Mathematical Association of America's Precalculus to Calculus: Insights and Innovations Conference.