1 Technology and Teaching : Learning in a High-Tech Environment
While specific technologies are highly favored by the students, as indicated in evaluations, there is a lack of strong statistical evidence of improvement in learning outcomes as a result of the implementation of most of these technologies.
Abstract
This paper surveys the use of different technologies in teaching principles courses. In courses taught in 1998 and 1999, students in Principles of Microeconomics were exposed to a variety of technologies including: Internet-based course material (syllabus, grade reports, homework assignments, sample problems and solutions), remote simultaneous two-way televised lectures, streaming video lectures available over the Internet, examinations taken over the Internet, and electronic textbooks. This study describes these technologies and discusses how they were implemented and used in an economics classroom environment, assesses both the benefits that they can provide as well as issues that limited their effectiveness in learning, and compares outcomes in those courses to courses in which the students had the same instructor but were not given access to certain technologies. By examining survey data and comparing course grade outcomes, several hypotheses regarding the effectiveness of teaching using technology are tested. The central conclusion is that while specific technologies are highly favored by the students, as indicated in evaluations, there is a lack of strong statistical evidence of improvement in learning outcomes as a result of the implementation of most of these technologies. Recommendations to improve the effectiveness of the technologies for advancing learning conclude the study.