Does EdTech Substitute for Traditional Learning? Experimental Estimates of the Educational Production Function. NBER Working Paper No. 26967

Autor/inn/en	Bettinger, Eric; Fairlie, Robert W.; Kapuza, Anastasia; Kardanova, Elena; Loyalka, Prashant; Zakharov, Andrey
Institution	National Bureau of Economic Research
Titel	Does EdTech Substitute for Traditional Learning? Experimental Estimates of the Educational Production Function. NBER Working Paper No. 26967
Quelle	(2020) PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Monographie
Schlagwörter	Educational Technology; Technology Uses in Education; Conventional Instruction; Teaching Methods; Computer Assisted Instruction; Program Effectiveness + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Unterrichtsmedien; Technology enhanced learning; Technology aided learning; Technologieunterstütztes Lernen; Teaching method; Lehrmethode; Unterrichtsmethode; Computer based training; Computerunterstützter Unterricht
Abstract	Experimental studies rarely consider the shape and nature of the education production function, which is useful for deriving optimal levels of input substitution in increasingly resource constrained environments. Because of the rapid expansion of EdTech as a substitute for traditional learning around the world and against the backdrop of full-scale temporary substitution due to the coronavirus pandemic, we explore the educational production function by using a large randomized controlled trial that varies dosage of computer-assisted learning (CAL) as a substitute for traditional learning. Results show production is concave in CAL. Moving from zero to a low level of CAL, the marginal rate of technical substitution (MRTS) of CAL for traditional learning is greater than one. Moving from a lower to a higher level of CAL, production remains on the same or a lower isoquant and the MRTS is equal to or less than one. The estimates are consistent with the general form of a Cobb-Douglas production function and imply that a blended approach of CAL and traditional learning is optimal. The findings have direct implications for the rapidly expanding use of educational technology worldwide and its continued substitution for traditional learning. [Funding for this research was provided by the Russian Academic Excellence Project '5-100.'] (As Provided).
Anmerkungen	National Bureau of Economic Research. 1050 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138-5398. Tel: 617-588-0343; Web site: http://www.nber.org
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2024/1/01