The Relative Effectiveness of Teachers and Learning Software: Evidence from a Field Experiment in El Salvador

• 成果类型: Article; Early Access
• 署名作者: Buechel, Konstantin; Jakob, Martina; Kuehnhanss, Christoph; Steffen, Daniel; Brunetti, Aymo
• 署名单位: University of Bern
• 刊物名称: JOURNAL OF LABOR ECONOMICS
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0734-306X
• DOI: 10.1086/717727
• 发表日期: 2022
• 关键词: student-achievement; one laptop; education; impacts; reconsideration; KNOWLEDGE; HEALTH; child

摘要

This study provides evidence on the relative effectiveness of computer-assisted learning (CAL) software and traditional teaching. Based on a field experiment in Salvadoran primary schools, we evaluate three interventions that aim to improve learning in mathematics: (i) additional teacher-led classes, (ii) additional CAL classes monitored by a supervisor, and (iii) additional CAL classes instructed by a teacher. We find that CAL lessons lead to larger learning gains and are less sensitive to class size as well as student ability than teacher-centered classes. Our results highlight the value of CAL in an environment with heterogeneous classes and poorly qualified teachers.