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.

No abstract

Using an RCT in middle schools in Pakistan, we test the effect of a government-implemented inclass technology and brief teacher training intervention on student achievement in grade level mathematics and science. After only 4 months of exposure, student's combined math and science score increased by 0.3 standard deviations on both project and government tests, 59 percent more than the control group. Students were also more likely to pass the provincial high-stakes exams. Increased attendance by both students and teachers indicate technology can increase other inputs. At the 200 school scale, this program is extremely cost-effective.

Using two RCTs in middle schools in Pakistan, we show that 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 percent more than the control group, after 4 months of exposure. Students and teachers increased their attendance, and students were more likely to pass the high-stakes government exams. By contrast, providing similar content to students on personal tablets decreased student scores by 0.4 SD. The contrast between the two effects shows the importance of engaging teachers and the potential for technology to do so. (JEL I21, I28, J45, O15, O30)

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