{"id":1437,"slug":"freeman-2014-pnas-active-learning-meta-225-studies","title":"Freeman et al. (2014), PNAS 111(23) — 225-study meta on active learning: exam performance +0.47 SD; odds of failing 1.95× higher under passive lecturing; robust to publication-bias checks","kind":"reference","scope":"business","status":"current","audiences":["kevin","smb-owner","candid-team"],"topics":["interactive-tool-mechanisms","active-learning-icap"],"reference_body":"**Claim:** **Freeman et al. (2014), *PNAS* 111(23), 8410-8415** — **225-study meta-analysis** of active learning. **Exam performance +0.47 SD** under active learning; **odds of failing 1.95× higher under passive lecturing**. Robust to publication-bias checks.\n\n**Source:** Freeman et al. (2014), PNAS.\n\n**Confidence:** Verified (meta-analysis, top journal).\n\n**Caveat:** Largest in **small classes** and dependent on volunteer instructors — **generalisability if universally mandated is \"an open question\"** (Freeman et al.). Education-context evidence; bridge to commercial tools is conceptual not measured.\n\n**Why this matters for Candid:** The **+0.47 SD** is the citable single number for \"active processing beats passive processing\" in client conversations. Together with [[chi-wylie-2014-icap-framework-interactive-constructive-active-passive]] this is the strongest independent academic anchor for the engagement-via-interaction case.","rationale_body":null,"metadata":null,"links":{"outgoing":[{"slug":"kivetz-2006-goal-gradient-coffee-stamps","title":"Kivetz, Urminsky & Zheng (2006), Journal of Marketing Research — goal-gradient in consumer contexts: cafe loyalty stamps completed faster as customers neared reward; online raters persist longer near reward","kind":"reference","scope":"business","link_type":"relates-to"},{"slug":"chi-wylie-2014-icap-framework-interactive-constructive-active-passive","title":"Chi & Wylie (2014), Educational Psychologist 49(4) — ICAP framework: Interactive > Constructive > Active > Passive engagement; ~8-10% learning improvement per step","kind":"reference","scope":"business","link_type":"relates-to"}],"incoming":[{"slug":"research-brief-engagement-mechanisms-top-up-smb-june-2026","title":"Research notes (capture-layer top-up): why interactive online tools are psychologically engaging — six additional mechanisms (June 2026)","kind":"research-notes","scope":"business","link_type":"relates-to"},{"slug":"caveats-engagement-mechanisms-top-up-mechanism-vs-business-outcome","title":"Caveats for the engagement-mechanisms top-up: strong independent evidence sits at the MECHANISM level not the business-outcome level; nearly every effect is moderated","kind":"reference","scope":"business","link_type":"relates-to"}]},"created_at":"2026-06-20T19:24:15.971Z","updated_at":"2026-06-20T19:24:15.971Z"}