Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess the efficiency of the online learning platform Brilliant.org in enhancing the academic performance of seventy eleventh-grade students across five public schools in Barranquilla, Colombia. The research employed a quasi-experimental design involving two groups: an experimental group that used the Brilliant.org platform to learn topics of linear algebra and a control group that relied on conventional classroom instruction and additional resources not affiliated with Brilliant.org. Students’ academic performance was evaluated through pre- and postquestionnaires regarding their efficacy perception. Various statistical techniques were deployed based on numerical responses, including a t-test to compare mean differences between the groups, an analysis of covariance to adjust for any preexisting discrepancies, and multiple regression analysis to ascertain relationships between variables. The results of the study demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in academic performance for students who utilized the Brilliant.org platform compared to the control group that did not. Specifically, students who engaged with Brilliant.org exhibited a 15 percent increase in test scores and a 20 percent increase in overall subject comprehension. Furthermore, a positive correlation was identified between the time spent on the platform and the degree of improvement in academic performance. Thus, this research significantly contributes to the existing literature by providing concrete evidence of the effectiveness of online learning platforms in enhancing academic performance, specifically among secondary school students in Colombia. It particularly underscores the potential of Brilliant.org as a viable tool for educational improvement in this demographic.