Is It Live or Is It Internet? Experimental Estimates of the Effects of Online Instruction on Student Learning

A-Tier
Journal: Journal of Labor Economics
Year: 2013
Volume: 31
Issue: 4
Pages: 763 - 784

Score contribution per author:

1.341 = (α=2.01 / 3 authors) × 2.0x A-tier

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

Abstract

This article presents the first experimental evidence on the effects of live versus Internet media of instruction. Students in a large introductory microeconomics course at a major research university were randomly assigned to live lectures versus watching these same lectures in an Internet setting where all other factors (e.g., instruction, supplemental materials) were the same. We find modest evidence that live-only instruction dominates Internet instruction. These results are particularly strong for Hispanic students, male students, and lower-achieving students. We also provide suggestions for future experimentation in other settings.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:ucp:jlabec:doi:10.1086/669930
Journal Field
Labor
Author Count
3
Added to Database
2026-01-25