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The effects of class attendance on academic performance: Evidence from synchronous courses during Covid-19 at a Chinese research university

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Listed:
  • Ha, Wei
  • Ma, Liping
  • Cao, Yulian
  • Feng, Qinxue
  • Bu, Shangcong

Abstract

Using 13,584 observations of 4772 undergraduate students enrolled in 523 online classes offered synchronously at a research university in China, and using online-learning platform data and administrative data, this paper examines the impacts of class attendance on academic performance. Based on student-level and course-level fixed effects models with a unique set of student-course level control variables, this paper finds class attendance to have a significantly positive impact on academic performance. This effect is larger for low-performing students and smaller for students in courses with larger class sizes. The above findings survive a number of robustness checks, including a bounding technique, restricting sample to compulsory courses and limiting variation in attendance caused by whole day absence.

Suggested Citation

  • Ha, Wei & Ma, Liping & Cao, Yulian & Feng, Qinxue & Bu, Shangcong, 2024. "The effects of class attendance on academic performance: Evidence from synchronous courses during Covid-19 at a Chinese research university," International Journal of Educational Development, Elsevier, vol. 104(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:injoed:v:104:y:2024:i:c:s0738059323002286
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2023.102952
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Ma, Liping & Ha, Wei & Cao, Yulian, 2024. "College peer effects on learning behaviors in synchronous online courses," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 86(C).

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