Evaluation of a gamification intensive math learning program

Last registered on February 27, 2024
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Pre-Trial

Trial Information

General Information

Title
Evaluation of a gamification intensive math learning program
RCT ID
AEARCTR-0010380
Initial registration date
February 09, 2023

Initial registration date is when the trial was registered.

It corresponds to when the registration was submitted to the Registry to be reviewed for publication.

First published
February 13, 2023, 10:39 AM EST

First published corresponds to when the trial was first made public on the Registry after being reviewed.

Last updated
February 27, 2024, 11:15 AM EST

Last updated is the most recent time when changes to the trial's registration were published.

Locations

Country
Chile
Region
Santiago

Primary Investigator

Name
Nicolas Bottan
Affiliation
Cornell University
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Other Primary Investigator(s)

PI Name
Julian Cristia
PI Affiliation
Inter-American Development Bank
Contact Investigator
PI Name
Elena Arias Ortiz
PI Affiliation
Inter-American Development Bank
Contact Investigator
PI Name
Roberto Araya
PI Affiliation
Universidad de Chile

Additional Trial Information

Status
Completed
Start date
2017-01-01
End date
2018-01-01
Keywords
Education
Additional Keywords
JEL code(s)
Secondary IDs
Prior work
This trial does not extend or rely on any prior RCTs.
Abstract
We conducted a RCT of a gamification-intensive online platform among fourth graders in public primary schools in Santiago, Chile. We evaluated the effect of this program on math and language scores from the Chilean Standardized National Exam (SIMCE).
External Link(s)

Registration Citation

Citation
Araya, Roberto et al. 2024. "Evaluation of a gamification intensive math learning program." AEA RCT Registry. February 27. https://doi.org/10.1257/rct.10380-1.1
Sponsors & Partners
Experimental Details

Interventions

Intervention(s)
Intervention (Hidden)
Intervention Start Date
2017-03-01
Intervention End Date
2017-11-10

Primary Outcomes

Primary Outcomes (end points)
Standardized math and language scores from SIMCE (Chilean National Standardized Exam)
Primary Outcomes (explanation)

Secondary Outcomes

Secondary Outcomes (end points)
Standardized math and language scores from midline and endline exams. Non-academic outcomes using indices for: intrinsic motivation, self-concept, anxiety, growth mindset, preferences for teamwork, and preference over use of technology at school
Secondary Outcomes (explanation)
Test scores from midline and enline exams were applied in case access to SIMCE was not granted. Non-academic outcomes are indices constructed with questions from the endline survey and SIMCE survey.

Experimental Design

Experimental Design
We implemented a randomized controlled trial to estimate the causal effect of the ConectaIdeas program on learning. We recruited 24 public schools located in Santiago that had at least two fourth-grade sections. The schools had to have been classified in the two lowest socioeconomic status categories (out of five) by the Ministry of Education. We adopted a within-school, section-level randomization design. Within each of the 24 participating schools, we randomly assigned one of the two fourth-grade sections to the treatment group. The randomization was conducted before the collection of baseline data, and schools were informed of the treatment status of each section after the baseline was collected in March 2017.

See attached analysis plan for original pre-trial analysis submitted as part of funding application to IDRC for all details.
Experimental Design Details
Randomization Method
Randomization done in office using STATA.
Randomization Unit
Classroom within school.
Was the treatment clustered?
Yes

Experiment Characteristics

Sample size: planned number of clusters
48 classrooms in 24 schools
Sample size: planned number of observations
1,500
Sample size (or number of clusters) by treatment arms
24 classrooms treatment, 24 control
Minimum detectable effect size for main outcomes (accounting for sample design and clustering)
Supporting Documents and Materials
IRB

Institutional Review Boards (IRBs)

IRB Name
IRB Approval Date
IRB Approval Number
Analysis Plan

Analysis Plan Documents

Pre-Analysis Plan submitted to IDRC in application for funding

MD5: c4d8369d4ee77cd6307bfe5ecdea7318

SHA1: 4930870e96d201011cdd08dd99b7d1cf335bb227

Uploaded At: February 09, 2023

Post-Trial

Post Trial Information

Study Withdrawal

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Intervention

Is the intervention completed?
Yes
Intervention Completion Date
November 10, 2017, 12:00 +00:00
Data Collection Complete
Yes
Data Collection Completion Date
January 01, 2018, 12:00 +00:00
Final Sample Size: Number of Clusters (Unit of Randomization)
48 classrooms
Was attrition correlated with treatment status?
No
Final Sample Size: Total Number of Observations
1,089
Final Sample Size (or Number of Clusters) by Treatment Arms
24 treatment classrooms, 24 control classrooms
Data Publication

Data Publication

Is public data available?
No

Program Files

Program Files
Reports, Papers & Other Materials

Relevant Paper(s)

Reports & Other Materials