Does EdTech Really Improve Learning Outcomes? A Large-Scale Study | Dr. Gopal Naik

In this episode of the Business Talk podcast, Dr. Gopal Naik, Former Professor in the Economics Area and Jal Jeevan Mission Chair in Utility Development & Water Economics at IIM Bangalore, shares compelling insights from his research study, "Impact of the Use of Technology on Student Learning Outcomes: Evidence from a Large-Scale Experiment in India." His groundbreaking tele-education initiative reached nearly 200,000 students across 1,000 rural government schools in Karnataka, earning the prestigious WSIS 2015 Award at ITU Geneva. Conducted as a large-scale Randomized Control Trial (RCT) spanning 1,823 schools across 18 districts, the study examined the impact of live, interactive multimedia-based instruction on student performance in Science, English Grammar, and Mathematics. The intervention, designed to be resource-light and self-sufficient, used just one computer and projector per school, delivering expert-led, high-quality content via EduSat, India's educational satellite replacing approximately one-third of regular classroom time. Results demonstrated significant improvements in learning outcomes across all three subjects, with Science recording the largest gains, as animations and videos made complex concepts more accessible to rural learners. Dr. Naik emphasizes that technology must complement, not replace, traditional educational investments such as teacher hiring and training, and underscores the transformative role technology can play in bridging educational inequality for students in underserved communities. This podcast is brought to you by Global Management Consultancy. For more information, please visit www.globalmanagementconsultancy.com. Disclaimer: A. The background music incorporated in this video is the intellectual property of its respective developer and is protected under applicable copyright laws. Notwithstanding that it is a free-to-use version, Business Talk, Global Management Consultancy, and Deepak Bhatt do not own, and expressly do not claim, any rights, title, or interest in or to this music. B. Prof. Gopal Naik offered insightful perspectives drawn from his research, "Impact of the Use of Technology on Student Learning Outcomes: Evidence from a Large-Scale Experiment in India," in an engaging conversation on the Business Talk podcast channel. The uploaded video contains copyrighted content, so changing any graphics, music, or on-screen appearance of the author or host is not allowed.