Embedding Research-Inspired Innovations in EdTech: A Randomized Controlled Trial of Social-Psychological Interventions, at Scale

• In Event: Paper Session: Innovations in Instructional Design

Abstract

Social-Psychological interventions have been used to produce significant gains in learner outcomes (see Lazowski & Hulleman, 2015). The current research project embedded two types of messaging (one based on growth mindset research, the other a novel anchoring of effort message) into a commercial educational technology used by thousands of introductory programming students each semester. Results indicate increased persistence in the growth mindset condition, and a decrease in persistence for the anchoring condition, relative to control. Randomized control trials like this, at scale and embedded into widely-used commercial products, are a valuable approach for improving learner outcomes in a rigorous and iterative way, while also contributing to the burgeoning literature on Social-Psychological interventions.

Authors

• Daniel M. Belenky, Pearson Education, Inc.

• Yun Jin Rho, Pearson

• Mikolaj Bogucki, Pearson Education, Inc.

• Malgorzata Schmidt, Pearson Education, Inc.