How solid is the research/theory base for small-group instruction in SMET classes?
• What questions or issues have yet to be resolved in the research and practice relating to small-group instruction in SMET classes? Question #1. What do we know about the impact of small-group instruction on student outcomes in SMET classes? The best current source on this topic is the NISE meta-analysis of the effect of small-group instruction by Springer, et al. They have reviewed hundreds of studies dealing with the impact of small-group instruction on a number of student outcomes in SMET classes. They report that small-group instruction has “robust” effects on three broadly-defined student outcome measures: achievement, persistence (attrition) and attitudes. Springer et al. report that small-group instruction produces achievement differences on a variety of student measures, including grades and scores on several types of tests. Student attrition rates (from courses and from institutions) are lower for students exposed to small-group instruction relative to their peers taught by m
