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Distance Learning in Higher Education: Evidence from a Randomized Experiment
[A Randomized Assessment of Online Learning]

Author

Listed:
  • M Paula Cacault
  • Christian Hildebrand
  • Jérémy Laurent-Lucchetti
  • Michele Pellizzari

Abstract

Using a randomized experiment in a public Swiss university, we study the impact of online live streaming of lectures on student achievement and attendance. We find that (i) attending lectures via live streaming lowers achievement for low-ability students and increases achievement for high-ability ones; (ii) students use the live streaming technology only occasionally, apparently when random events make attending in class too costly, and (iii) offering live streaming reduces in-class attendance only mildly. These findings have important implications for the effective design of education policies.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:jeurec:v:19:y:2021:i:4:p:2322-2372.
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1093/jeea/jvaa060
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    Cited by:

    1. Wada, Shuhei, 2021. "Online education and the Great Convergence," MPRA Paper 108793, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    2. Gong, Jie & Liu, Tracy Xiao & Tang, Jie, 2021. "How monetary incentives improve outcomes in MOOCs: Evidence from a field experiment," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 190(C), pages 905-921.
    3. Ásgeirsdottir, Tinna Laufey & Francesconi, Marco & Johannsdottir, Ásthildur M. & Zoega, Gylfi, 2025. "How Home Exams and Peers Affect College Grades in Unprecedented Times," IZA Discussion Papers 18344, IZA Network @ LISER.
    4. Nishihata, Masaya & Kobayashi, Yohei, 2024. "Inequalities in student learning and screen time due to COVID-19: Evidence from Japan," Journal of the Japanese and International Economies, Elsevier, vol. 71(C).
    5. Islam Majzoub, 2024. "In-Person Versus Online Learning About Students’ Perception," International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), vol. 8(8), pages 373-390, August.
    6. 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.
    7. 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).
    8. Nabil Afodjo & Christopher Cotton & Maggie Jones, 2023. "Student Experiences with COVID-19 in Canada," Working Paper 1511, Economics Department, Queen's University.
    9. Bandar N. Alarifi & Steve Song, 2024. "Online vs in-person learning in higher education: effects on student achievement and recommendations for leadership," Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 11(1), pages 1-8, December.
    10. Agarwal, Ruchir & Gaule, Patrick, 2026. "Developing Math Talent Worldwide: Evidence from a Global RCT," IZA Discussion Papers 18381, IZA Network @ LISER.
    11. Riudavets-Barcons, Marc & Uusitalo, Roope, 2023. "School Closures and Student Achievement: Evidence from a High Stakes Exam," IZA Discussion Papers 16074, IZA Network @ LISER.
    12. Hugues Champeaux & Lucia Mangiavacchi & Francesca Marchetta & Luca Piccoli, 2022. "Child development and distance learning in the age of COVID-19," Review of Economics of the Household, Springer, vol. 20(3), pages 659-685, September.
    13. Philipp Hansen & Lennart Struth & Max Thon & Tim Umbach, 2021. "The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Teaching Outcomes in Higher Education," ECONtribute Discussion Papers Series 073, University of Bonn and University of Cologne, Germany.
    14. Beniamino Callegari & Christophe Feder, 2022. "A Literature Review of Pandemics and Development: the Long-Term Perspective," Economics of Disasters and Climate Change, Springer, vol. 6(1), pages 183-212, March.
    15. Pertold-Gebicka, Barbara, 2024. "Medium-run effects of COVID-19 induced distant learning on students’ academic performance," Labour Economics, Elsevier, vol. 89(C).
    16. 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).
    17. Chien-Chih Wu & *Hsiao-Wen Chao & Chia-Wen Tsai, 2021. "The Effects of Facebook Live-Stream Teaching on Improving Students' Dance Skills: Impacts on Performance, Learning Motivation, and Physical Activity Class Satisfaction," International Journal of Mobile and Blended Learning (IJMBL), IGI Global Scientific Publishing, vol. 13(4), pages 1-18, October.
    18. Fábio Albuquerque, 2022. "Overall Satisfaction with the Emergency Remote Teaching during the COVID-19 Pandemic from the Perspective of Higher Education Students in Portugal ," GATR Journals jmmr299, Global Academy of Training and Research (GATR) Enterprise.
    19. Beniamino Callegari & Christophe Feder, 2022. "The long-term economic effects of pandemics: toward an evolutionary approach [Epidemics and trust: the case of the Spanish flu]," Industrial and Corporate Change, Oxford University Press and the Associazione ICC, vol. 31(3), pages 715-735.
    20. Wang, Chunchao & Wang, Yao & Xiao, Aiping & Zhang, Yaru & Zou, Hang, 2025. "Student development in teacher–student interaction: Evidence from a randomized experiment in online education," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 242(C).
    21. 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).
    22. Merkus, Erik & Schafmeister, Felix, 2021. "The role of in-person tutorials in higher education," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 201(C).
    23. Luca Bonacini & Giuseppe Pignataro & Veronica Rattini, 2025. "Tertiary Education Completion and Financial Aid Assistance: Evidence from an Information Experiment," Papers 2507.02560, arXiv.org.
    24. Birdi, Alvin & Cook, Steve & Elliott, Caroline & Lait, Ashley & Mehari, Tesfa & Wood, Max, 2023. "A critical review of recent economics pedagogy literature, 2020–2021," International Review of Economics Education, Elsevier, vol. 43(C).

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • I20 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - General
    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education
    • I23 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Higher Education; Research Institutions
    • I26 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Returns to Education

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