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Emoticons as Performance Feedback for College Students: A Large-Classroom Field Experiment

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  • Darshak Patel
  • Justin Roush

Abstract

We use a field experiment in a large college classroom to study the use of written representations of emotion ("emoticons") as a form of feedback on exams. We find that treatment improved student attendance, quiz scores, homework scores, and test scores. We document heterogeneous impacts based on the type of emoticon received and gender. Improvements were driven by those who received disapproving emoticons but scored above the mean. Female students were responsible for the improved homework and test scores, while men drove improvements in attendance. Both genders improved similarly on quiz scores. We discuss two psychological theories supporting a treatment effect.

Suggested Citation

  • Darshak Patel & Justin Roush, 2023. "Emoticons as Performance Feedback for College Students: A Large-Classroom Field Experiment," AEA Papers and Proceedings, American Economic Association, vol. 113, pages 503-507, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:aea:apandp:v:113:y:2023:p:503-07
    DOI: 10.1257/pandp.20231046
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Dobkin, Carlos & Gil, Ricard & Marion, Justin, 2010. "Skipping class in college and exam performance: Evidence from a regression discontinuity classroom experiment," Economics of Education Review, Elsevier, vol. 29(4), pages 566-575, August.
    2. Sharmistha Self, 2012. "Studying Absenteeism in Principles of Macroeconomics: Do Attendance Policies Make a Difference?," The Journal of Economic Education, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 43(3), pages 223-234, July.
    3. Daniel R. Marburger, 2006. "Does Mandatory Attendance Improve Student Performance?," The Journal of Economic Education, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 37(2), pages 148-155, April.
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • A22 - General Economics and Teaching - - Economic Education and Teaching of Economics - - - Undergraduate
    • C93 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Field Experiments
    • I23 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Higher Education; Research Institutions
    • I26 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Returns to Education

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