Economics: Instructional effectiveness, the web, and economics

Abstract

The initial introduction of microcomputers failed to change economics instruction because software was unable to duplicate the degree of understanding achieved through traditional methods in a cost-effective manner. The World Wide Web and complementary technologies have fundamentally altered the cost-effectiveness of different instructional methods, but learning information models of diffusion suggest that universities must adopt explicit policies to stimulate faculty Web use to overcome a learning externality associated with the new technology. Some issues of university organization related to Web technology also are discussed.