If subject-relevant courseware is available, as the WinEcon package is for economics, using it in conjunction with Web worksheets enables instructors to integrate technology with the other learning media used. Web worksheets can be used to motivate and direct students so that the choices they make as they use interactive software are choices that are appropriate for them. The worksheets developed at Leicester define objectives for each 1 hour computer session, offer hints, encourage students to work at their own pace and suggest alternative approaches for students with different backgrounds. The WinEcon software that students use has won three major awards and gained the approval of various evaluation studies. It includes more than 75 hours of tutorial materials, together with self-assessment questions, glossary, references and databases.
Computer software can provide dynamic illustrations of theoretical concepts.
It takes students directly to the central analytical issues and it lets them explore for themselves the impact of various changes. Different interactive activities require students to respond to the computer in different ways, dragging and dropping curves, sliders and labels into appropriate positions as well as answering questions. The computer gives students immediate feedback. If they are wrong they may be offered the opportunity to try again, they may be given more information, and they will have the opportunity of being told the correct answer. Including quizzes in Web worksheets gives instructors the opportunity to customise questions to suit their syllabus.