Harvard RCT: AI Tutor Beats In-Class Active Learning in Less Time
humphrey_shi · x · 2026-09-28
A randomized controlled trial published in Scientific Reports (Harvard team, Kestin et al.) compared a custom AI tutor built on pedagogical best practices against in-class active learning. Students learned significantly more in less time with the AI tutor and reported better perceptions. The study has drawn 213k+ accesses and 200+ citations. Professor Humphrey Shi shared it, arguing future universities should use machine intelligence to expand human ingenuity and devote human attention to curiosity, judgment, creation, and character.
Related event: Harvard RCT Finds AI Tutor Outperforms Active-Learning Classroom(5 posts)→
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