Case Study: University of Toronto achieves stronger student engagement in cognitive psychology with Top Hat

University of Toronto boosts psychology engagement with Top Hat over 10+ years

The University of Toronto faced the challenge of making abstract cognitive psychology theory engaging for large undergraduate classes. Lecturer Christine Burton sought to move beyond traditional tools that provided only aggregate data, preventing students from experiencing full research experiments. To address this, the university turned to the interactive platform and customizable textbook tools from vendor Top Hat.

Top Hat's solution transformed lectures into live experiments. Students participated in cognitive psychology replications using polls and responses, providing individual data for later analysis. This drove stronger attendance and deeper engagement, with students reporting a better understanding of complex theories. The vendor's customizable eText also reduced student anxiety by tailoring content. Burton credits Top Hat with creating a more participatory and enjoyable classroom environment with zero walls between her and the students.

University of Toronto