Light illuminates better teaching strategies

"When students say something works, that's powerful," says Harvard Professor Richard Light, author of "Making the Most of College." Among his findings: • The widely held belief that colleges should admit talented students and then "get out of their way" is directly contrary to what students actually want; students report that some of their most meaningful college experiences involve those teachers and administrators who actively "get in their way" by offering advice, opportunities, and challenges. • Students learn more when they study together in small groups outside of class than they do by studying alone, undermining the notion that such collaboration leads to "cheating." • Extracurricular activities and jobs do not detract from academic performance; instead, they increase students' overall satisfaction with their college experience and contribute to learning. • Students are overwhelmingly positive about the value of racial and ethnic diversity, with white students being the most positive about it.