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Can Digital Technologies Play a Role in Improving Children’s Learning Outcomes in India?

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  • Sashwati Banerjee
  • Sujoy Chakravarty
  • Ira Joshi
  • Siddharth Pillai

Abstract

In this study, we explore the effects of an educational intervention in the form of digital games targeted towards improving the learning outcomes in mathematics and Hindi language among first, second and third graders in four government schools in southern New Delhi. In addition to administering these games in the classroom, we randomly recruited 40 households from a low-income community, where children play the games as an extra-curricular activity. We measure the improvement in aptitude in math and Hindi pre- and post-intervention, using various demographic controls and find that the community intervention had some impact in boosting aptitude. In contrast, the school intervention did not show the desired results though it did register some improvement in children’s knowledge. Using qualitative observation coupled with the quantitative assessment of impact, we attempt to deconstruct the various infrastructural challenges and sampling issues posed in our school intervention, and identify key features that need to be adhered to for future researchers who may want to assess the impact of educational interventions on young children from underprivileged backgrounds in India.

Suggested Citation

  • Sashwati Banerjee & Sujoy Chakravarty & Ira Joshi & Siddharth Pillai, 2018. "Can Digital Technologies Play a Role in Improving Children’s Learning Outcomes in India?," Journal of Development Policy and Practice, , vol. 3(1), pages 55-86, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:jodepp:v:3:y:2018:i:1:p:55-86
    DOI: 10.1177/2455133317736234
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    1. Abhijit V. Banerjee & Shawn Cole & Esther Duflo & Leigh Linden, 2007. "Remedying Education: Evidence from Two Randomized Experiments in India," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 122(3), pages 1235-1264.
    2. Ankur Sarin, 2009. "Effect of Mobiles on Socio-economic Life of Urban Poor," Working Papers id:1984, eSocialSciences.
    3. Elizabeth U. Cascio & Douglas O. Staiger, 2012. "Knowledge, Tests, and Fadeout in Educational Interventions," NBER Working Papers 18038, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    4. Brij Kothari & Avinash Pandey & Amita R. Chudgar, 2004. "Reading Out of the "Idiot Box": Same-Language Subtitling on Television in India," Information Technologies and International Development, MIT Press, vol. 2(1), pages 23-44.
    5. Sarin, Ankur & Jain, Rekha, 2009. "Effect of Mobiles on Socio-economic Life of Urban Poor," IIMA Working Papers WP2009-02-05, Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad, Research and Publication Department.
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    Cited by:

    1. Terence Govender & Joan Arnedo-Moreno, 2021. "An Analysis of Game Design Elements Used in Digital Game-Based Language Learning," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(12), pages 1-26, June.

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