Streaks to success: The effects of highlighting streaks on student effort and learning

B-Tier
Journal: Economics of Education Review
Year: 2025
Volume: 109
Issue: C

Authors (4)

Aulagnon, Raphaëlle (not in RePEc) Cristia, Julian (not in RePEc) Cueto, Santiago (not in RePEc) Malamud, Ofer

Score contribution per author:

0.503 = (α=2.01 / 4 authors) × 1.0x B-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

We examine whether highlighting streaks—instances of repeated and consecutive behavior when completing learning tasks—encourages 4th to 6th grade students in Peru to increase their use of an online math platform and improve learning. 60,000 students were randomly assigned to receive messages that (i) highlighted streaks, (ii) provided personalized reminders with positive reinforcement, (iii) provided generic reminders, or (iv) to a control group. Highlighting streaks and providing personalized reminders significantly increased platform use compared to generic reminders and the control group, with streaks more effective on the intensive margin and personalized reminders more effective on the extensive margin. Highlighting streaks also significantly improved math achievement compared to the control group among the 1,500 students who took an endline test, although differences with other treatment arms were not significant.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:eee:ecoedu:v:109:y:2025:i:c:s0272775725001013
Journal Field
Education
Author Count
4
Added to Database
2026-01-25