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 cost effective. Pedagogical effectiveness is an afterthought.Anecdotal :Honestly, I'd go so far as to say that teaching 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 cringe for the students, particularly given the astronomical tuitions demanded of them. Over-crowded (and un-recorded) lectures are a staple.