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A Randomized Assessment of Online Learning

Author

Listed:
  • William T. Alpert
  • Kenneth A. Couch
  • Oskar R. Harmon

Abstract

A microeconomics principles course employing random assignment across three sections with different teaching models is used to explore learning outcomes as measured by a cumulative final exam for students who participate in traditional face-to-face classroom instruction, blended face-to-face and online instruction with reduced instructor contact time, and a purely online instructional format. Evidence indicates learning outcomes were reduced for students in the purely online section relative to those in the face-to-face format by 5 to 10 points on a cumulative final exam. No statistically significant differences in outcomes are observed for students in the blended relative to the face-to-face section.

Suggested Citation

  • William T. Alpert & Kenneth A. Couch & Oskar R. Harmon, 2016. "A Randomized Assessment of Online Learning," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 106(5), pages 378-382, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:aea:aecrev:v:106:y:2016:i:5:p:378-82
    Note: DOI: 10.1257/aer.p20161057
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Gu, Xin & Li, Haizheng, 2023. "Does the Closeness of Peers Matter? An Investigation Using Online Training Platform Data and Survey Data," IZA Discussion Papers 15964, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    2. Ahn, Kunwon & Lee, Jun Yeong & Winters, John V., 2020. "Employment Opportunities and High School Completion during the COVID-19 Recession," IZA Discussion Papers 13802, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    3. George Bulman & Robert Fairlie, 2022. "The Impact of COVID-19 on Community College Enrollment and Student Success: Evidence from California Administrative Data," Education Finance and Policy, MIT Press, vol. 17(4), pages 745-764, Fall.
    4. Joshua Goodman & Julia Melkers & Amanda Pallais, 2019. "Can Online Delivery Increase Access to Education?," Journal of Labor Economics, University of Chicago Press, vol. 37(1), pages 1-34.
    5. Clark, Andrew E. & Nong, Huifu & Zhu, Hongjia & Zhu, Rong, 2021. "Compensating for academic loss: Online learning and student performance during the COVID-19 pandemic," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 68(C).
    6. Riudavets-Barcons, Marc & Uusitalo, Roope, 2023. "School Closures and Student Achievement: Evidence from a High Stakes Exam," IZA Discussion Papers 16074, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    7. Grace Eau & Derek Hoodin & Tareena Musaddiq, 2022. "Testing the effects of adaptive learning courseware on student performance: An experimental approach," Southern Economic Journal, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 88(3), pages 1086-1118, January.
    8. M Paula Cacault & Christian Hildebrand & Jérémy Laurent-Lucchetti & Michele Pellizzari, 2021. "Distance Learning in Higher Education: Evidence from a Randomized Experiment [A Randomized Assessment of Online Learning]," Journal of the European Economic Association, European Economic Association, vol. 19(4), pages 2322-2372.
    9. Hoque, Nazmul & Basher, Syed Abul & A.K. Enamul, Haque, 2022. "Do Students Perform Better in Online Delivery of Education? Evidence from Bangladesh," MPRA Paper 112981, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    10. Kenneth G. Elzinga & Daniel Q. Harper, 2023. "In‐person versus online instruction: Evidence from principles of economics," Southern Economic Journal, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 90(1), pages 3-30, July.
    11. Maria De Paola & Francesca Gioia & Vincenzo Scoppa, 2022. "Online Teaching, Procrastination And Students’ Achievement: Evidence From Covid-19 Induced Remote Learning," Working Papers 202202, Università della Calabria, Dipartimento di Economia, Statistica e Finanza "Giovanni Anania" - DESF.
    12. Justin C. Ortagus & Lijing Yang, 2018. "An Examination of the Influence of Decreases in State Appropriations on Online Enrollment at Public Universities," Research in Higher Education, Springer;Association for Institutional Research, vol. 59(7), pages 847-865, November.
    13. Nabil Afodjo & Christopher Cotton & Maggie Jones, 2023. "Student Experiences with COVID-19 in Canada," Working Paper 1511, Economics Department, Queen's University.
    14. Laia Navarro-Sola, 2021. "Secondary Schools with Televised Lessons: The Labor Market Returns of the Mexican Telesecundaria," Working Papers 2021-053, Human Capital and Economic Opportunity Working Group.
    15. Yi Lu & Hong Song, 2020. "The effect of educational technology on college students’ labor market performance," Journal of Population Economics, Springer;European Society for Population Economics, vol. 33(3), pages 1101-1126, July.
    16. Daniel Klasik & Kristin Blagg & Zachary Pekor, 2018. "Out of the Education Desert: How Limited Local College Options are Associated with Inequity in Postsecondary Opportunities," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 7(9), pages 1-26, September.
    17. Li, Haizheng & Liu, Qinyi & Su, Yan & Ederer, Peer, 2023. "Policy initiatives, self-sorting, and labor market effects of tertiary education for adult workers," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 209(C), pages 205-221.
    18. Jacqmin, Julien, 2019. "Providing MOOCs: A FUN way to enroll students?," Information Economics and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 48(C), pages 32-39.
    19. Liao, Haoye & Ma, Sen & Xue, Hao, 2022. "Does school shutdown increase inequality in academic performance? Evidence from COVID-19 pandemic in China," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 75(C).
    20. Agasisti, Tommaso & Barucci, Emilio & Cannistrà, Marta & Marazzina, Daniele & Soncin, Mara, 2023. "Online or on-campus? Analysing the effects of financial education on student knowledge gain," Evaluation and Program Planning, Elsevier, vol. 98(C).
    21. Engelhardt, Bryan & Johnson, Marianne & Meder, Martin E., 2021. "Learning in the time of Covid-19: Some preliminary findings," International Review of Economics Education, Elsevier, vol. 37(C).
    22. Petersen, Luba & Rholes, Ryan, 2022. "Macroeconomic expectations, central bank communication, and background uncertainty: A COVID-19 laboratory experiment," Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control, Elsevier, vol. 143(C).
    23. Artz, Benjamin & Johnson, Marianne & Robson, Denise & Siemers, Sarinda, 2022. "Live or lecture capture: Evidence from a classroom random control trial," International Review of Economics Education, Elsevier, vol. 40(C).
    24. Shen, Xuejing & Li, Shaoping & Liu, Chengfang & Luo, Renfu & Chen, Yuting, 2021. "Online Learning during the COVID-19 Pandemic Among Primary and High School Students in Rural China," 2021 Conference, August 17-31, 2021, Virtual 315351, International Association of Agricultural Economists.
    25. Oskar Harmon & Robert Szarka, 2018. "Using Google Drawings to Create Homework Exercises," Journal of Economics Teaching, Journal of Economics Teaching, vol. 2(2), pages 68-78, January.

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • A22 - General Economics and Teaching - - Economic Education and Teaching of Economics - - - Undergraduate
    • I23 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Higher Education; Research Institutions

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