Case Study: Georgia Southern University boosts attendance and lowers DFW rates with Top Hat

Georgia Southern University lowers DFW rates with Top Hat

Georgia Southern University, a research institution with over 26,000 students, faced the challenge of making assessments more empowering and less stressful for students. Biology Lecturer Elizabeth Sargent sought a solution that would move away from high-pressure exams and provide better data to support students. She wanted to implement frequent, low-stakes quizzes and polls to gauge comprehension instantly, a need not met by her previous teaching platforms.

Using Top Hat, Sargent implemented an active learning strategy with pre-lecture quizzes, in-class polls, and group exams. The platform provided real-time data on student performance, allowing her to tailor lessons. This solution led to a significant decline in DFW (drop, fail, withdraw) rates and a dramatic increase in both class attendance and participation. As a result of using Top Hat, Sargent’s classroom became more interactive and she was awarded Top Hat’s 2022 Student Impact Award.

Georgia Southern University