Engaging Teachers with Technology Increased Achievement, Bypassing Teachers Did Not

66 Pages Posted: 1 Apr 2019 Last revised: 27 May 2022

See all articles by Sabrin Beg

Sabrin Beg

University of Delaware

Adrienne Lucas

University of Delaware - Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics

Waqas Halim

Information Technology University

Umar Saif

Information Technology University

Date Written: March 2019

Abstract

Using two RCTs in middle schools in Pakistan, we show brief, expert-led, curriculum based videos integrated into the classroom experience improved teaching effectiveness–student test scores in math and science increased by 0.3 standard deviations, 60% more than the control group, after 4 months of exposure. Students and teachers increased their attendance, and students were more likely to pass the government high-stakes exams. In contrast, similar content when provided to students on personal tablets decreased student scores by 0.4SD. The contrast between the two effects shows the importance of engaging existing teachers and the potential for technology to do so.

Suggested Citation

Beg, Sabrin and Lucas, Adrienne and Halim, Waqas and Saif, Umar, Engaging Teachers with Technology Increased Achievement, Bypassing Teachers Did Not (March 2019). NBER Working Paper No. w25704, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3363442

Sabrin Beg (Contact Author)

University of Delaware

Newark, DE 19711
United States

Adrienne Lucas

University of Delaware - Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics ( email )

419 Purnell Hall
Newark, DE 19716
United States

Waqas Halim

Information Technology University ( email )

6th Floor، ARFA Tower, Ferozepur Road
Nishter Town, Lahore
Pakistan

Umar Saif

Information Technology University ( email )

6th Floor، ARFA Tower, Ferozepur Road
Nishter Town, Lahore
Pakistan

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