Finally, our findings supported the notion that active techniques do aid in increasing
learning as in-class activities led to higher overall scores while lecture led to the lowest
overall scores. However, this does not mean that one should blindly use active techniques
in lieu of other methods. We often think of lecture and active teaching techniques
as competing forces. This dichotomous thinking of good and bad techniques can be counterproductive.
Even in the current study, no one method emerged as the ‘easy button’ of
teaching or learning. Scores on quizzes and exams were fairly high, even when using
lecture. It is unfortunate that lecture has earned such a bad reputation. While there may
be some exceptions, the current research suggests that, in general, any technique that an
instructor uses can be effective, if it is used competently, appropriately, and enthusiastically.