The novel liquid learning system and the online gap in academic performance

Abstract

This research considers the innovative educational strategy known as the liquid learning system, which allows students attending classes either online or face-to-face. This system was implemented for the first time at a private European university in 2020 as a reaction to the Covid-19 pandemic. Emphasis is placed on the effect of the online choice on student academic performance. Using Instrumental Variables to control for self-selection bias, our findings show a significant gap in the form of lower grades for online students. Quantile regressions reveal that those in the lower tail of the grade distribution are the most adversely affected