On 16 January, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, hosted the lecture “Confessions of a Converted Lecturer” at Técnico Innovation Center powered by Fidelidade. Eric Mazur, a professor of physics at Harvard University and one of the world’s most influential figures in pedagogical innovation in higher education, critically reflected on the traditional teaching model in a context marked by the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence (AI).
“Rethinking the way students are taught is not an option, it’s a necessity”, he argued. While acknowledging the potential of technology as a tool to support learning, he highlighted the essential role of professors in fostering critical thinking, conceptual understanding and intellectual autonomy in students. Professors have the power to guide, question, and stimulate reflection.
Speaking to an audience of faculty, researchers, and students from Técnico, Eric Mazur shared his personal journey as a professor. He argued that teachers should “bring their experiences into their professional lives”. He admitted that early in his career, he unconsciously followed the same teaching path as his own professors—employing a strictly expository model with little connection to students and no promotion of classroom activities. It was then that he realised a change was necessary, acknowledging that “teaching is a great way to learn.”
Making learning more humanised is one of the major steps in this process. As the creator of the Peer Instruction method, Eric Mazur explained that this approach encourages active student participation through peer discussion, helping to identify and overcome misconceptions. This model has already been adopted by a number of universities around the world and has shown significant gains in learning – the level of correct answers can increase from 50% to between 80% and 90%.
Eric Mazur stressed the importance of allowing students time to think, reflect, and process the information conveyed in classroom. He developed a method for fostering effective discussions and helping students assimilate knowledge in the classroom, which includes the following steps: Ask – Think – Question – Discuss – Question again – Explain (and repeat).
In an era where the internet and AI can provide answers quickly, the role of the professor in transmitting information is very important for the development of critical thinking. According to the speaker, active learning, formative assessment and student engagement are increasingly central in a rapidly changing context.
At the end of his lecture, the professor shared a reflection, stating that higher levels of learning lead to greater retention. This retention is crucial for maintaining students’ attention and interest. “A better understanding of concepts enhances problem-solving skills, and we need the next generations to address the problems that the current ones have failed to solve”, he concluded.
Eric Mazur visited Técnico for the inauguration of new experimental physics laboratories, in which he played a significant role in the design of the new space.
At the inauguration event, he once again highlighted the role of autonomy and creativity as fundamental drivers of student motivation and growth, noting that the space will foster “an environment that promotes essential skills”. He also emphasised the contribution of these new laboratories to improving the teaching quality at Técnico.
In the Media: “Eric Mazur: “Há um verdadeiro terramoto a abalar as instituições académicas”” (Público)
