Lectures Aren't Just Boring, They're Ineffective, Too
While substantive data is always nice, this has always struck me as a bit of a "duh" factor. Lectures are omnipresent because they're <i>cost</i> effective. Pedagogical effectiveness is an afterthought.<p>Anecdotal :<p>Honestly, I'd go so far as to say that <i>teaching</i> as a whole is an afterthought, even (or especially?) at top universities. I work for a research institution affiliated with a top CS school, and attend their classes regularly. The quality of instruction and academic support in the undergrad classes makes me <i>cringe</i> for the students, particularly given the astronomical tuitions demanded of them. Over-crowded (and un-recorded) lectures are a staple.