Today, our guest is Dr. Scott Freeman, lecturer emeritus in biology at the University of Washington. Since the mid-1990s, Dr. Freeman’s focus has been on textbook writing and teaching. He co-authored Evolutionary Analysis and was sole author of Biological Science, each through four editions. He is a recipient of a UW Distinguished Teaching Award. Dr. Freeman’s research interests center on the impact of active learning strategies and high-structure course designs on student performance in college science courses. Specifically, he investigates whether certain types of course designs have a positive impact on achievement by underrepresented minority and economically disadvantaged students, the impact of course-based undergraduate research experiences, and the support of underprepared, at-risk students in chemistry.

We are delighted to have Dr. Freeman on the show to discuss his work in scholarship of teaching and learning, some of the surprising findings from the research on active learning and what it means to create a high-structured course. Dr. Scott Freeman, thank you so much for joining the show today.