Working Paper: NBER ID: w23744
Authors: Maya Escueta; Vincent Quan; Andre Joshua Nickow; Philip Oreopoulos
Abstract: In recent years, there has been widespread excitement around the potential for technology to transform learning. As investments in education technology continue to grow, students, parents, and teachers face a seemingly endless array of education technologies from which to choose—from digital personalized learning platforms to educational games to online courses. Amidst the excitement, it is important to step back and understand how technology can help—or in some cases hinder—how students learn. This review paper synthesizes and discusses experimental evidence on the effectiveness of technology-based approaches in education and outlines areas for future inquiry. In particular, we examine RCTs across the following categories of education technology: (1) access to technology, (2) computer-assisted learning, (3) technology-enabled behavioral interventions in education, and (4) online learning. While this review focuses on literature from developed countries, it also draws upon extensive research from developing countries. We hope this literature review will advance the knowledge base of how technology can be used to support 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.
Keywords: Education Technology; Learning Outcomes; RCTs; Behavioral Interventions
JEL Codes: I20; I29; J24
Edges that are evidenced by causal inference methods are in orange, and the rest are in light blue.
| Cause | Effect |
|---|---|
| Personalization in learning (C91) | Improved outcomes (I14) |
| Education technology interventions (I24) | Mixed impact on learning outcomes (I24) |
| Increasing access to technology (L96) | Increased usage and skills among students (A29) |
| Increasing access to technology (L96) | Improved academic performance (D29) |
| Improved academic performance (D29) | Increased usage (L97) |
| Computer-assisted learning (CAL) programs (C88) | Improved learning outcomes (I24) |