Diminishing Marginal Returns to Computer-Assisted Learning

41 Pages Posted: 13 Apr 2020 Last revised: 7 Sep 2024

See all articles by Eric Bettinger

Eric Bettinger

Stanford University

Robert W. Fairlie

University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA); National Bureau of Economic Research

Anastasia Kapuza

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Elena Kardanova

National Research University Higher School of Economics (Moscow)

Prashant Kumar Loyalka

Stanford University - Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies

Andrey Zakharov

National Research University Higher School of Economics (Moscow)

Date Written: April 2020

Abstract

The previous expansion of EdTech as a substitute for traditional learning around the world, the recent full-scale substitution due to COVID-19, and potential future shifts to blended approaches suggest that it is imperative to understand input substitutability between in-person and online learning. We explore input substitutability in education by employing a novel randomized controlled trial that varies dosage of computer-assisted learning (CAL) as a substitute for traditional learning through homework. Moving from zero to a low level of CAL, we find positive substitutability of CAL for traditional learning. Moving from a lower to a higher level of CAL, substitutability changes and is either neutral or even negative. The estimates suggest 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 prior to, during and after the pandemic.

Suggested Citation

Bettinger, Eric and Fairlie, Robert W. and Kapuza, Anastasia and Kardanova, Elena and Loyalka, Prashant and Zakharov, Andrey, Diminishing Marginal Returns to Computer-Assisted Learning (April 2020). NBER Working Paper No. w26967, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3574432

Eric Bettinger (Contact Author)

Stanford University ( email )

Stanford, CA 94305
United States

Robert W. Fairlie

University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) ( email )

405 Hilgard Avenue
Box 951361
Los Angeles, CA 90095
United States

HOME PAGE: http://https://rfairlie.sites.luskin.ucla.edu/

National Bureau of Economic Research ( email )

1050 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02138
United States

HOME PAGE: http://www.nber.org/people/robert_fairlie?page=1&perPage=50

Anastasia Kapuza

affiliation not provided to SSRN

No Address Available

Elena Kardanova

National Research University Higher School of Economics (Moscow) ( email )

Myasnitskaya street, 20
Moscow, Moscow 119017
Russia

Prashant Loyalka

Stanford University - Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies ( email )

Stanford, CA 94305
United States

Andrey Zakharov

National Research University Higher School of Economics (Moscow) ( email )

Myasnitskaya street, 20
Moscow, Moscow 119017
Russia

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