The Impact of the Internet on Economic Education

Abstract

Use of the Internet in economic pedagogy is growing, but it has not received much attention in the economic education literature. Almost no studies have measured the impact of using Internet technology on student learning and retention, perceptions of instructor effectiveness, and changes in attitudes toward economics. We report the results from classroom experiments that tested the influence of Internet use on economic education. Using Internet resources to enhance economic courses has two principal advantages for students. First, these resources offer a new medium of interaction that complements classroom instruction and facilitates learning. Second, they offer students the opportunity to learn and use Internet technology and yield positive externalities for future academic and career paths.