Shaping Minds: The Transformative Effects of Theater-Based Learning

Last registered on August 19, 2024
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Pre-Trial

Trial Information

General Information

Title
Shaping Minds: The Transformative Effects of Theater-Based Learning
RCT ID
AEARCTR-0014146
Initial registration date
August 10, 2024

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
August 14, 2024, 2:42 PM EDT

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

Last updated
August 19, 2024, 11:36 AM EDT

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

Locations

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Primary Investigator

Name
Raisa Sherif
Affiliation
Max Planck Institute for Tax Law and Public Finance
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Other Primary Investigator(s)

PI Name
Sara Constantino
PI Affiliation
Northeastern University
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PI Name
Nishith Prakash
PI Affiliation
Northeastern University
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PI Name
Shantanu Khanna
PI Affiliation
Northeastern University
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PI Name
Ritam Chaurey
PI Affiliation
Johns Hopkins University
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PI Name
Abhiroop Mukhopadhyay
PI Affiliation
Indian Statistical Institute
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Additional Trial Information

Status
On going
Start date
2024-05-01
End date
2025-06-30
Keywords
Education
Additional Keywords
Human capital, Socio-emotional skills, Experiential learning, Randomized control trial, India
JEL code(s)
J24, I25, I31
Secondary IDs
Prior work
This trial does not extend or rely on any prior RCTs.
Abstract
Despite progress in addressing barriers to human capital in the last two decades, significant learning gaps persist. A new line of research suggests that holistic skills are associated with positive impacts on later life outcomes. However, there is little evidence supporting the effectiveness of existing traditional classroom-based instructional strategies in improving non-cognitive and socio-emotional skills. In this study, we conduct a randomized control trial in 96 schools in Uttarakhand, India to estimate the causal impacts of an experiential learning pedagogy in secondary schools. The curriculum consists of a total of 15 hours of arts and theater-based instruction delivered over 10 sessions across a six month period. We measure the impacts on socio-emotional skills, cognitive abilities, and learning outcomes.
External Link(s)

Registration Citation

Citation
Chaurey, Ritam et al. 2024. "Shaping Minds: The Transformative Effects of Theater-Based Learning." AEA RCT Registry. August 19. https://doi.org/10.1257/rct.14146-1.1
Sponsors & Partners
Experimental Details

Interventions

Intervention(s)
In this intervention, we are collaborating with Rang Kaarwaan, a local non-profit organization in Champawat, Uttarakhand, to implement a theater-based pedagogy. This approach uses arts and theater to empower adolescents to navigate their personal, social, and academic lives. The innovative pedagogy features a 10-session curriculum which includes a series of interactive games, exercises, and techniques designed to promote 'problem-posing' dialogue among participants. Each 90-minute session contributes to a total of approximately 15 hours of instruction over six months. The curriculum is organized into three stages, focusing on self-development, understanding surroundings, and engaging with the community.
Intervention Start Date
2024-07-01
Intervention End Date
2024-12-31

Primary Outcomes

Primary Outcomes (end points)
Well-being index, Self-efficacy index, Emotion regulation index, Communication skills index
Primary Outcomes (explanation)

Secondary Outcomes

Secondary Outcomes (end points)
Academic performance, Time management, Empathy, Collaboration, Aspiration, Gender attitudes
Secondary Outcomes (explanation)

Experimental Design

Experimental Design
Our research question explores the impact of theatre-based pedagogy on the development of critical foundational skills in middle school students. The study employs a simple design, with 96 schools randomly assigned to either the treatment group (48 schools), which receives the theatre-based pedagogy, or the control group (48 schools), which does not.
Experimental Design Details
Not available
Randomization Method
Randomization by a computer
Randomization Unit
School
Was the treatment clustered?
Yes

Experiment Characteristics

Sample size: planned number of clusters
96 schools
Sample size: planned number of observations
3909 students
Sample size (or number of clusters) by treatment arms
48 schools control, 48 schools theater-based pedagogy
Minimum detectable effect size for main outcomes (accounting for sample design and clustering)
Supporting Documents and Materials

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IRB

Institutional Review Boards (IRBs)

IRB Name
Northeastern University
IRB Approval Date
2024-05-21
IRB Approval Number
REL24-05-03
IRB Name
DAI Research & Advisory Services Pvt Ltd. Human Subjects Committee
IRB Approval Date
2024-04-14
IRB Approval Number
N/A
Analysis Plan

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