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The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Teaching Outcomes in Higher Education

Author

Listed:
  • Philipp Hansen

    (University of Cologne)

  • Lennart Struth

    (University of Cologne)

  • Max Thon

    (University of Cologne)

  • Tim Umbach

    (University of Cologne)

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic forced much of the world to adapt suddenly to severe restrictions. In this study, we attempt to quantify the impact of the pandemic on student performance in higher education. To collect data on important covariates, we conducted a survey among first-year students of Microeconomics at the University of Cologne. In contrast to other studies, we are able to consider a particularly suitable performance measure that was not affected by the COVID-19 restrictions implemented shortly before the start of the summer term 2020. While the average performance improves in the first term affected by the restrictions, this does not apply to students with a low socioeconomic background. Trying to identify more specific channels explaining this finding, interestingly, our data yield no evidence that the average improvement results from the altered teaching formats, suggesting instead that the enhanced performance stems from an increase in available study time.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:ajk:ajkdps:073
    as

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    File URL: https://www.econtribute.de/RePEc/ajk/ajkdps/ECONtribute_073_2021.pdf
    File Function: Second version, 2021
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. 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.
    2. William G. Bowen & Matthew M. Chingos & Kelly A. Lack & Thomas I. Nygren, 2014. "Interactive Learning Online at Public Universities: Evidence from a Six‐Campus Randomized Trial," Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 33(1), pages 94-111, January.
    3. Coates, Dennis & Humphreys, Brad R. & Kane, John & Vachris, Michelle A., 2004. ""No significant distance" between face-to-face and online instruction: evidence from principles of economics," Economics of Education Review, Elsevier, vol. 23(5), pages 533-546, October.
    4. Aucejo, Esteban M. & French, Jacob & Ugalde Araya, Maria Paola & Zafar, Basit, 2020. "The impact of COVID-19 on student experiences and expectations: Evidence from a survey," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 191(C).
    5. Eric P. Bettinger & Lindsay Fox & Susanna Loeb & Eric S. Taylor, 2017. "Virtual Classrooms: How Online College Courses Affect Student Success," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 107(9), pages 2855-2875, September.
    6. Agostinelli, Francesco & Doepke, Matthias & Sorrenti, Giuseppe & Zilibotti, Fabrizio, 2022. "When the great equalizer shuts down: Schools, peers, and parents in pandemic times," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 206(C).
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    COVID-19; Higher Education; Wellbeing; Education and Inequality; Introductory Economics;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I24 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Education and Inequality
    • I23 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Higher Education; Research Institutions
    • I31 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - General Welfare, Well-Being
    • I24 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Education and Inequality
    • A22 - General Economics and Teaching - - Economic Education and Teaching of Economics - - - Undergraduate

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