The Economics of Education: Evaluating the Impact of Digital Learning Platforms

Incorporating quantitative analysis, qualitative case studies, and game-theoretic modelling, this review article takes a mixed-methods approach to assess the educational and economic effects of digital learning platforms. In this study, we analyse data from a variety of global organizations to determine things like student outcomes, cost-efficiency, internet penetration, and access to digital platforms during the COVID-19 pandemic. The correlations between digital infrastructure and educational outcomes were investigated using statistical analyses, and the operational cost savings and scalability of digital learning were quantified using regression models. Three developing nations, namely, Brazil, India, and Kenya, that used digital learning platforms during the pandemic are examined in detail in the study. Topics covered in these case studies include the digital divide, infrastructure constraints, and the adaptability of digital platforms for disadvantaged populations, as well as the specific difficulties and triumphs encountered by each nation. Case studies in India, Kenya, and Brazil all centre on different aspects of digital platform integration in rural schools, mobile learning solutions’ impact on expanding educational opportunities to underserved areas, and the importance of removing socioeconomic barriers from public schooling in Brazil. The strategic interactions between important stakeholders, including governments, educational institutions, students, and technology providers, were also modelled using a game-theoretic analysis. Using payoff matrices, the research shows the costs and benefits that each stakeholder considers when choosing between expensive but high-quality platforms and cheaper but lower-quality alternatives. Findings highlight the significance of stakeholder alignment and collaboration in achieving educational outcomes that are both cost-efficient in the long run and optimized for individual stakeholders. Digital learning platforms offer considerable scalability benefits and reduce costs per student by 25–30%, as shown in this review. Consequently, they are cost-effective educational solutions. Having said that, these platforms can only succeed if digital infrastructure and institutional funding are readily available. Enrolment, retention, and student outcomes have all improved in regions with strong internet access, while areas with weak infrastructure still struggle greatly with equity in access and academic achievement. Digital infrastructure is crucial to the success of educational models worldwide. The long-term advantages for institutions and students are best achieved through strategic, high-quality investments in digital platforms.