The best of both worlds? A controlled comparison of hybrid and online economics student outcomes

Abstract

This paper systematically compares undergraduate student learning outcomes between hybrid and online learning formats in Principles of Macroeconomics classes. Exploiting a quasi-experimental design that controls for instructor effects, student characteristics, effort, and experience, we find that students registered for a hybrid section perform worse than similar students in a nearly identical online section across two metrics. We determine that the factors influencing success in each format and attribute lower student performance in hybrid sections to mismatched student expectations of the blended learning format.