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Upgrading Education with Technology: Insights from Experimental Research

Author

Listed:
  • Maya Escueta
  • Andre Joshua Nickow
  • Philip Oreopoulos
  • Vincent Quan

Abstract

In recent years, there has been widespread interest around the potential for technology to transform learning. As investment in education technology continues to grow, students, parents, and teachers face a seemingly endless array of education technologies from which to choose—from digital personalized learning platforms to online courses to text message reminders to submit financial aid forms. Amid the excitement, it is important to step back and understand how technology can help—or in some cases hinder—learning. This review article synthesizes and discusses rigorous evidence on the effectiveness of technology-based approaches to education in developed countries and outlines areas for future inquiry. In particular, we examine randomized controlled trials and regression discontinuity studies across the following categories of education technology: (i) access to technology, (ii) computer-assisted learning, (iii) technology-enabled behavioral interventions in education, and (iv) online learning. We hope this synthesis will advance academic understanding of how technology can improve education, outline key areas for new experimental research, and help drive improvements to the policies, programs, and structures that contribute to successful teaching and learning.

Suggested Citation

  • Maya Escueta & Andre Joshua Nickow & Philip Oreopoulos & Vincent Quan, 2020. "Upgrading Education with Technology: Insights from Experimental Research," Journal of Economic Literature, American Economic Association, vol. 58(4), pages 897-996, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:aea:jeclit:v:58:y:2020:i:4:p:897-996
    DOI: 10.1257/jel.20191507
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    Cited by:

    1. Hashibul Hassan & Asad Islam & Abu Siddique & Liang Choon Wang, 2021. "Telementoring and homeschooling during school closures: A randomized experiment in rural Bangladesh," Munich Papers in Political Economy 13, Munich School of Politics and Public Policy and the School of Management at the Technical University of Munich.
    2. Aymo Brunetti & Konstantin B chel & Martina Jakob & Ben Jann & Daniel Steffen, 2021. "Inadequate Teacher Content Knowledge and What to Do About It: Evidence from El Salvador," Diskussionsschriften dp2114, Universitaet Bern, Departement Volkswirtschaft.
    3. Hall, Caroline & Hardoy, Inés & Lundin, Martin, 2022. "Schooling in the Nordic countries during the COVID-19 pandemic," Working Paper Series 2022:13, IFAU - Institute for Evaluation of Labour Market and Education Policy.
    4. Hall, Caroline & Lundin, Martin, 2023. "Teaching, technology and test scores. The impact of personal computers on student performance in primary school," Working Paper Series 2023:3, IFAU - Institute for Evaluation of Labour Market and Education Policy.
    5. Álvaro Sobrinho & Ig Ibert Bittencourt & Andressa Carvalho Melo da Silveira & Alan Pedro da Silva & Diego Dermeval & Leonardo Brandão Marques & Nadja Cezar Ianzer Rodrigues & Ana Carolina Silva e Souz, 2023. "Towards Digital Transformation of the Validation and Triage Process of Textbooks in the Brazilian Educational Policy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-28, March.
    6. Sconti, Alessia, 2022. "Digital vs. in-person financial education: What works best for Generation Z?," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 194(C), pages 300-318.
    7. Oberrauch, Luis & Kaiser, Tim, 2024. "Digital Interventions to Increase Financial Knowledge: Evidence from a Pilot RCT," IZA Discussion Papers 16811, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    8. Kerstin Grosch & Simone Haeckl & Martin G. Kocher, 2022. "Closing the Gender STEM Gap - A Large-Scale Randomized-Controlled Trial in Elementary Schools," CESifo Working Paper Series 9907, CESifo.
    9. Grosch, Kerstin & Häckl, Simone & Kocher, Martin G., 2022. "Closing the gender STEM gap," Department of Economics Working Paper Series 329, WU Vienna University of Economics and Business.
    10. Erwin Amann & Sylvi Rzepka, 2021. "The Effect of Goal-Setting Prompts in a Blended Learning Environment – Evidence from a Field Experiment," CEPA Discussion Papers 25, Center for Economic Policy Analysis.
    11. Luca Bonacini & Marina Murat, 2023. "Beyond the Covid-19 pandemic: remote learning and education inequalities," Empirica, Springer;Austrian Institute for Economic Research;Austrian Economic Association, vol. 50(1), pages 207-236, February.
    12. Asadullah, M. Niaz, 2022. "Home Schooling during the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Assessment of Malaysia’s PdPR Program," ADBI Working Papers 1318, Asian Development Bank Institute.
    13. Amann, Erwin & Rzepka, Sylvi, 2023. "The effect of goal-setting prompts in a blended learning environment—evidence from a field experiment," Economics of Education Review, Elsevier, vol. 92(C).
    14. Abbiati, Giovanni & Azzolini, Davide & Balanskat, Anja & Engelhart, Katja & Piazzalunga, Daniela & Rettore, Enrico & Wastiau, Patricia, 2023. "Effects of an Online Self-Assessment Tool on Teachers' Digital Competencies," IZA Discussion Papers 15863, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    15. Lafortune, Jeanne & Pugatch, Todd & Tessada, José & Ubfal, Diego, 2022. "Can Interactive Online Training Make High School Students More Entrepreneurial? Experimental Evidence from Rwanda," IZA Discussion Papers 15064, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    16. Marina Murat & Luca Bonacini, 2020. "Coronavirus pandemic, remote learning and education inequalities," Department of Economics (DEMB) 0177, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Department of Economics "Marco Biagi".
    17. Cristian Barra & Marinella Boccia, 2022. "What matters in educational performance? Evidence from OECD and non-OECD countries," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 56(6), pages 4335-4394, December.
    18. Marina Murat & Luca Bonacini, 2020. "Coronavirus pandemic, remote learning and education inequalities," Department of Economics 0177, University of Modena and Reggio E., Faculty of Economics "Marco Biagi".
    19. Boruchowicz, Cynthia & Parker, Susan W. & Robbins, Lindsay, 2022. "Time use of youth during a pandemic: Evidence from Mexico," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 149(C).
    20. Keshav Agrawal & Susan Athey & Ayush Kanodia & Emil Palikot, 2022. "Personalized Recommendations in EdTech: Evidence from a Randomized Controlled Trial," Papers 2208.13940, arXiv.org, revised Dec 2022.

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • H52 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - Government Expenditures and Education
    • H75 - Public Economics - - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations - - - State and Local Government: Health, Education, and Welfare
    • I20 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - General
    • O33 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes

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