Active Learning?

If you were a student in my teaching seminar last semester, I know you are already shuddering at the post's title. Take a look at this NY Times article about active learning in intro physics classes at MIT (& other schools)--then take a look at the comments, especially the ones from MIT students who actually have to take those "TEAL" classes: they tell very different stories. Is the new style of classroom and teaching the way to go? How do we know what's the best teaching method?

http://community.nytimes.com/article/comments/2009/01/13/us/13physics.html?s=1&pg=2