Evidence-based Teaching Practices

The use and development of evidence-based teaching practices—proven to enhance student learning—is a foundational emphasis of the Center for Physiology Education. Educators can explore these resources to understand the benefits and value of data-driven teaching approaches as they develop and refine their own teaching strategies.

Resources to Explore

Implement Active Learning
Engaging students through interactive approaches that enhance learning, confidence and self-efficacy.

Background & Theory

LSE Evidence-Based Teaching Guides
CBE-Life Sciences Education, 2022

How People Learn II
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, 2018

Active Learning
Brame C., Vanderbilt University Center for Teaching, 2016

Active Learning Increases Student Performance in Science, Engineering, and Mathematics
Freeman S., et al., Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (PNAS), 2014

Teaching More by Lecturing Less
Knight J.K., Wood W.B., CBE-Life Sciences Education, 2017

High-Impact Practices
American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U), 2022

Active Learning: “Hands-on” Meets “Minds-on”
Yannier N., et al., Science, 2021

Active Learning and Student-centered Pedagogy Improve Student Attitudes and Performance in Introductory Biology
Armbruster P., et al., CBE-Life Sciences Education, 2017

Moving Research into Practice

LSE Evidence-Based Teaching Guides
CBE-Life Sciences Education, 2022

A Comparison of Traditional and Engaging Lecture Methods in a Large, Professional-level Course
Miller C.J., et al., Advances in Physiology Education, 2013

Strategies to Mitigate Student Resistance to Active Learning
Tharayil S., et al., International Journal of STEM Education, 2018

Promoting Student Metacognition
Tanner K.D., CBE-Life Sciences Education, 2017

Classroom Models
iBiology, 2014

The Tools: Active Learning Methods
iBiology, 2014

Think-Pair-Share
iBiology, 2014

Reconsidering the Share of a Think–Pair–Share: Emerging Limitations, Alternatives, and Opportunities for Research
Cooper K.M., et al., CBE-Life Sciences Education, 2021

Clickers
iBiology, 2014

Interactive Video Vignettes
Modules for Interactive Teaching (MINT) Project, Rochester Institute of Technology, 2018

Lived Experiences

The Disruptor
American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), Improving Undergraduate STEM Education Initiative, 2022

Small Changes in Teaching
Lang J.M., The Chronicle of Higher Education, 2018

 

 

 

 

Facilitate Peer Learning and Group Work
Structuring interactions among peers with guided tasks and prompts to increase student learning and prepare students for workforce team-based interactions.

Background & Theory

LSE Evidence-Based Teaching Guide, Group Work
Wilson K.J., et al., CBE-Life Sciences Education, 2017

LSE Evidence-Based Teaching Guide, Peer Instruction
Knight J.K., et al., CBE-Life Sciences Education, 2018

Special Focus Issue: Small-Group Learning in Higher Education—Cooperative, Collaborative, Problem-Based, and Team-Based Learning
Journal on Excellence in College Teaching, 2014

Moving Research into Practice

LSE Evidence-Based Teaching Guide, Group Work
Wilson K.J., et al., CBE-Life Sciences Education, 2017

LSE Evidence-Based Teaching Guide, Peer Instruction
Knight J.K., et al., CBE-Life Sciences Education, 2018

Talking to Learn: Why Biology Students Should Be Talking in Classrooms and How to Make It Happen
Tanner K.D., CBE-Life Sciences Education, 2017

Team-based Learning: Design, Facilitation and Participation
Burgess A., et al., BioMed Central (BMC) Medical Education, 2020

Cooperative Learning in Industrial-sized Biology Classes
Armstrong N., et al., CBE-Life Sciences Education, 2017

Lived Experiences
 

 

 

 

Incorporate Case Studies or Primary Literature
Critically analyzing case studies or primary literature to provide opportunities for enhanced student learning through the application of content.

Background & Theory
Moving Research into Practice
Lived Experiences
 

 

 

 

Design a Course
Designing or revising a course using evidence-based approaches to student learning.

Background & Theory

Increased Course Structure Improves Performance in Introductory Biology
Freeman S., et al., CBE-Life Sciences Education, 2017

High-Impact Practices
American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U), 2022

Active Learning and Student-centered Pedagogy Improve Student Attitudes and Performance in Introductory Biology
Armbruster P., et al., CBE-Life Sciences Education, 2017

Teaching More by Lecturing Less
Knight J.K., Wood W.B., CBE-Life Sciences Education, 2017

Effect of Flipped Teaching on Student Performance and Perceptions in an Introductory Physiology Course
Gopalan C., Advances in Physiology Education, 2018

Undergraduate Research Experiences for STEM Students
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, 2017

Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experiences Can Make Scientific Research More Inclusive
Bangera G., Brownell S.E., CBE-Life Sciences Education, 2017

Inquiry-based and Research-based Laboratory Pedagogies in Undergraduate Science
Weaver G.C., et al., Nature Chemical Biology, 2008

Moving Research into Practice

Just-In-Time Course Design Resources
Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI), 2022

The Refinement of Flipped Teaching Implementation to Include Retrieval Practice
Gopalan C., et al., Advances in Physiology Education, 2020

Process Oriented Guided Inquiry Learning
Process Oriented Guided Inquiry Learning (POGIL), 2022

Lived Experiences
 

 

 

 

Assess Student Learning
Using evidence-based approaches to measure student learning.

Background & Theory

Engaging in Authentic Assessment
American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U), 2022

Writing About Testing Worries Boosts Exam Performance in the Classroom
Ramirez G., Beilock S.L., Science, 2011

How Should I Study for the Exam? Self-Regulated Learning Strategies and Achievement in Introductory Biology
Sebesta A.J., Bray Speth E., CBE-Life Sciences Education, 2017

Moving Research into Practice

VALUE Rubrics
American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U), 2022

PULSE Rubrics
Partnership for Undergraduate Life Sciences Education (PULSE), 2019

PULSE Assessment Resources
Partnership for Undergraduate Life Sciences Education (PULSE), 2019

Phys-MAPS: A Programmatic Physiology Assessment for Introductory and Advanced Undergraduates
Semsar K., et al., Advances in Physiology Education, 2018

Collaborative Testing Enhances Student Learning
Rao S.P., et al., Advances in Physiology Education, 2002

Promoting Student Metacognition
Tanner K.D., CBE-Life Sciences Education, 2017

Assessment and Feedback
Heriot-Watt University, 2022

Implementing an Expressive Writing Intervention for Test Anxiety in a Large College Course
Doherty J.H., Wenderoth M.P., Journal of Microbiology & Biology Education, Vol. 18, No. 2 August 2017

The Science Students Skills Inventory: Capturing Graduate Perceptions of Their Learning Outcomes
Matthews K.E., Hodgson Y., International Journal of Innovation in Science and Mathematics Education, 2012

Weekly Formative Exams and Creative Grading Enhance Student Learning in an Introductory Biology Course
Bailey E.G., et al., CBE-Life Sciences Education, 2017

Lived Experiences

Grading for Growth
Talbert R., 2022

Using Kahoot! as a Formative Assessment Tool in Medical Education: A Phenomenological Study
Al-Aarifin Ismail M., et al., BMC Medical Education, 2019

Student Learning Outcomes Assessment
UC Davis, 2022

How Much Do You Want Your Final to Count?
Lang J.M., The Chronicle of Higher Education, 2018

 

 

Evidence-based Teaching Working Group

Janet Branchaw, PhDJanet Branchaw, PhD
University of Wisconsin–Madison


Julia Choate, PhDJulia Choate, PhD
Monash University, Australia


Kerry Hull, PhDKerry Hull, PhD
Bishop’s University, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada

Cynthia Metz, PhDCynthia Metz, PhD
University of Louisville School of Medicine, Kentucky

Chaya Gopalan, PhD, FAPSChaya Gopalan, PhD, FAPS
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

 

 

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