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Student Performance in Traditional vs. Online Format: Evidence from Introductory Economics Classes

Author

Listed:
  • Oskar R. Harmon

    (University of Connecticut)

  • James Lambrinos

    (Union University)

Abstract

This study uses a different approach to testing for a difference in student performance between traditional and online courses than prior studies that compare learning outcomes in economics courses. The study uses exam questions as the unit of observation and a specification that includes indicator variables for each student. These indicator variables capture the effect of differences in unobserved student characteristics on learning outcomes and thereby eliminate omitted variable bias. The study reports the finding that for an MBA introductory economics course taught in hybrid format the students had a significantly greater chance of answering a question correctly if it came from a chapter covered online (p

Suggested Citation

  • Oskar R. Harmon & James Lambrinos, 2007. "Student Performance in Traditional vs. Online Format: Evidence from Introductory Economics Classes," Working papers 2007-03, University of Connecticut, Department of Economics, revised Dec 2008.
  • Handle: RePEc:uct:uconnp:2007-03
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Byron W. Brown & Carl E. Liedholm, 2002. "Can Web Courses Replace the Classroom in Principles of Microeconomics?," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 92(2), pages 444-448, May.
    2. Coates, Dennis & Humphreys, Brad R. & Kane, John & Vachris, Michelle A., 2004. ""No significant distance" between face-to-face and online instruction: evidence from principles of economics," Economics of Education Review, Elsevier, vol. 23(5), pages 533-546, October.
    3. Daniel R. Marburger, 2001. "Absenteeism and Undergraduate Exam Performance," The Journal of Economic Education, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 32(2), pages 99-109, January.
    4. 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.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    online; instruction; economics; traditional;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • A2 - General Economics and Teaching - - Economic Education and Teaching of Economics
    • A22 - General Economics and Teaching - - Economic Education and Teaching of Economics - - - Undergraduate

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