Study Overview
- Title:
- Impact of Tara Akshar - a computer-based adult literacy program - on literacy and numeracy outcomes
- Study is 3ie funded:
- No
- Study ID:
- RIDIE-STUDY-ID-5245cbd16bd73
- Initial Registration Date:
- 09/27/2013
- Last Update Date:
- 09/26/2013
- Study Status:
- Ongoing
- Location(s):
- India
- Abstract:
Using a randomized controlled trial (RCT), we analyze the impact of a computer-based adult literacy program - called Tara Akshar - on literacy and numeracy outcomes in India.
- Registration Citation:
Ksoll, C., 2013. Impact of Tara Akshar - a computer-based adult literacy program - on literacy and numeracy outcomes. Registry for International Development for Impact Evaluations (RIDIE). Available at: https://doi.org/10.23846/ridie007
- Categories:
- Education
- Additional Keywords:
- Adult literacy; Information and communications technology (ICT); Computer-based instruction
- Secondary ID Number(s):
Principal Investigator(s)
- Name of First PI:
- Christopher Ksoll
- Affiliation:
- University of Ottawa
- Name of Second PI:
- Alain Desrochers
- Affiliation:
- University of Ottawa
Study Sponsor
- Name:
- Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) Canada
- Study Sponsor Location:
- India
Research Partner
- Name of Partner Institution:
- Development Alternatives
- Type of Organization:
- NGO (local) or other civil society organization
- Location:
- India
Intervention Overview
- Intervention:
Tara Akshar is a computer-based adult literacy program, developed by Readingwise UK and implemented by Development Alternatives in Uttar Pradesh, India. Target beneficiaries are illiterate adult women. The classes run for two hours a day for 35 days (49 days, including the numeracy component). The method builds on insights from cognitive psychology, including advanced memory techniques. It uses both computer software, an instructor, playing cards and writing books. More information can be found at http://ideaswise.net/readingwisem/?page_id=77 and http://www.taraakshar.com/. Tara Akshar claims success rates of over 80%.
- Theory of Change:
- Multiple Treatment Arms Evaluated?
- No
Implementing Agency
- Name of Organization:
- Development Alternatives
- Type of Organization:
- NGO (International)
Program Funder
- Name of Organization:
- UNDP
- Type of Organization:
- Foreign or Multilateral Aid Agency
Intervention Timing
- Intervention or Program Started at time of Registration?
- Yes
- Start Date:
- 09/15/2013
- End Date:
- 11/20/2013
Evaluation Method Overview
- Primary (or First) Evaluation Method:
- Randomized control trial
- Other (not Listed) Method:
- Additional Evaluation Method (If Any):
- Other (not Listed) Method:
Method Details
- Details of Evaluation Approach:
We have measured learning outcomes before the treatment started, using already developed literacy and numeracy tests. We will again measure learning outcomes after treatment has ended, for both treatment and control groups. We then implement simple difference, difference-in-difference and value added specifications using least squares regression, where we include a variable for whether the person was assigned to the treatment group, as well as additional controls (such as the Wechsler non-verbal aptitude test, digit span, demographic information). Regression 1: simple difference (only treatment dummy) Regression 2: simple difference, (treatment dummy plus age, caste, Wechsler non-verbal aptitude test, marital status). We drop caste if there is not sufficient variation. We include age plus a dummy if age is missing (and impute mean age) Regression 3: difference in difference including the above covariates Regression 4: value-added specification (treatment dummy plus baseline literacy/numeracy plus covariates)
- Outcomes (Endpoints):
Final outcomes -Primary outcomes 1. Scores on literacy test (including: Ashkar (letter) reading fluency; Barakhadi (consonant-vowel syllable) reading fluency; Word reading fluency; Nonword reading fluency; Word reading fluency; Grade 1 level passage reading fluency; Grade 1 level comprehension questions) 2. Scores on numeracy test (Single-digit recognition (1-9); Two-digit number recognition (10-99); Subtraction with carry over; Division) Intermediate outcomes 3. Rapid Automatic Naming
- Unit of Analysis:
- Illiterate female adult learners in 10 villages in Uttar Pradesh
- Hypotheses:
What is the learning increase in adult literacy and numeracy due to Tara Akshar.
- Unit of Intervention or Assignment:
- Volunteers for adult literacy program will be phased in (in the first phase this generates an RCT)
- Number of Clusters in Sample:
- Number of Individuals in Sample:
- 238
- Size of Treatment, Control, or Comparison Subsamples:
- about 55% of the 238 in the treatment group, rest in control group
Supplementary Files
- Analysis Plan:
- Other Documents:
Outcomes Data
- Description:
- Literacy and numeracy test score data
- Data Already Collected?
- No
- Data Previously Used?
- Data Access:
- Data Obtained by the Study Researchers?
- Data Approval Process:
- Approval Status:
Treatment Assignment Data
- Participation or Assignment Information:
- Yes
- Description:
- Data Obtained by the Study Researchers?
- Data Previously Used?
- Data Access:
- Data Obtained by the Study Researchers?
- Data Approval Process:
- Approval Status:
Data Analysis
- Data Analysis Status:
Study Materials
- Upload Study Materials:
Registration Category
- Registration Category:
- Prospective, Category 1: Data for measuring impacts have not been collected
Completion Overview
- Intervention Completion Date:
- Data Collection Completion Date:
- Unit of Analysis:
- Clusters in Final Sample:
- Total Observations in Final Sample:
- Size of Treatment, Control, or Comparison Subsamples:
Findings
- Preliminary Report:
- Preliminary Report URL:
- Summary of Findings:
- Paper:
- Paper Summary:
- Paper Citation:
Data Availability
- Data Availability (Primary Data):
- Date of Data Availability:
- Data URL or Contact:
- Access procedure:
Other Materials
- Survey:
- Survey Instrument Links or Contact:
- Program Files:
- Program Files Links or Contact:
- External Link:
- External Link Description:
- Description of Changes:
Study Stopped
- Date:
- Reason: