A Pilot Randomized Trial of Behavioral Nudges Deployed Too Soon

• In Event: Sheraton Roundtable Session Fourteen
  In Roundtable Session: Getting There! The Role of Nudges, Goals, and Other Forms of Micro-Support (Table 7)

Abstract

In the context of a large Core curriculum course in a graduate school of public health, this study undertook a pilot randomized controlled trial testing the effect of providing a “behavioral nudge” containing specific information derived from learning analytics about past student behaviors and performance. The study found that student engagement varied significantly from week-to-week, but that nudges linking coursework completion to assessment grade performance did not significantly change student engagement. While the a priori hypotheses of this pilot trail were not upheld, this study yielded significant findings that can guide future efforts to increase student engagement. Future work should include testing of nudges that tap into student motivations and a richer examination of student learning behaviors over time.

Authors

• Samantha Garbers, Columbia Unviersity
  Presenting Author

• Roxanne Russell, Columbia University
  Presenting Author