Active Learning Meets AI: What Student Success Looks Like in 2026

What helps students succeed in today’s classrooms? According to this generation of learners, the answer is a combination of active learning, interactive assignments and AI-powered study support.

Our Spring 2026 Student Survey gathered feedback from 9,172 students across more than 550 institutions, spanning disciplines from chemistry and biology to business, communications and economics. This year’s survey reinforces what learning science has long shown: when students are asked to think, respond and participate throughout class, they’re more likely to stay engaged—and ultimately feel more successful.

Students want to be part of the conversation

Students yearn to get more out of class than passively absorbing lectures. Across all responses, 83 percent of students said Top Hat helped them feel engaged in the learning process. Active participation flourishes when students are given multiple opportunities to make their voice heard. More than two-thirds of students reported using Top Hat to respond to live questions during class, making interactive polls, quizzes and discussions among the most widely used features on the platform.

The impact becomes even clearer among students who regularly participated in class through Top Hat. Compared to the overall student population, students who used Top Hat to respond to live questions reported higher levels of engagement (88 percent versus 83 percent), greater confidence (80 percent versus 74 percent) and deeper understanding of course material (78 percent versus 75 percent).

For instructors, the takeaway is clear: participation isn’t just a classroom activity—it’s a learning strategy. Features like live polling, temperature checks and peer discussions help transform lectures from passive experiences into opportunities for students to test their understanding, receive immediate feedback and stay connected to the material in real time.

Learning doesn’t stop when class ends

While engagement during class remains important, this year’s survey suggests some of the strongest learning gains happen when students continue interacting with course content outside the classroom.

Students who used Top Hat for reading assignments and other coursework (n=3,759) reported substantially stronger academic outcomes than the overall student population. Among these “beyond class” users, 86 percent said Top Hat helped them be successful in their course, compared to 78 percent of students overall. They were also significantly more likely to say Top Hat helped them understand course material (87 percent versus 75 percent) and better understand lectures (83 percent versus 73 percent).

The trend is even more pronounced among students who used Top Hat textbooks. Nearly nine in ten textbook users said Top Hat helped them understand course material, while 87 percent reported that it helped them be successful in their course. The takeaway for instructors is clear: when learning extends beyond the lecture through interactive assignments and course materials, students report a stronger understanding of content and a greater likelihood of success.

AI use sparks deeper confidence among students

This year, one finding stood out in particular. Around 720 students who used Ace, Top Hat’s AI-powered assistant, consistently reported stronger learning outcomes than the overall student population—highlighting the growing role AI plays in helping students learn more effectively. While Ace adoption remains relatively early, the results point to meaningful benefits for students who incorporate AI support into their learning process. Compared against the overall student population, Ace users reported:

+10 percentage points higher understanding of course material (92 percent vs. 75 percent)

+15 percentage points higher understanding of lectures (88 percent vs. 73 percent)

+10 percentage points higher perceived course success (88 percent vs. 78 percent)

+10 percentage points higher engagement (93 percent vs. 83 percent)

Looking ahead

The Spring 2026 Student Survey reinforces a consistent theme across higher education: students learn best when they are actively involved in the learning process. Whether through in-class participation, interactive content, digital textbooks or AI-powered study support, respondents continue to report that Top Hat helps them stay engaged, build confidence and better understand course material. Looking to get more out of Top Hat next term? Check out our free teaching toolkit packed with icebreakers, tips to use AI more effectively and video tutorials to master our most powerful features.