Utilizing the internet to improve student learning in a first course in engineering economy with real-world unsolved problems in collaboration with industry

This paper reports on results of an experiment to investigate whether technology and the Internet facilitate student learning of Engineering Economy through real world problems in collaboration with industry. An overview of the organization and administration of the collaborative projects is presented. Learning aids and Internet tools are included in this discussion. Assessment results of student performance and perception are also presented. It was found using a bootstrap sample, at a significance level of 0.05, that the grade point average (GPA) of students working on projects in collaboration with industry administered through a variety of tools over the Internet (Experimental Group) was higher than those receiving only traditional classroom style lecture (Control Group). Overall, we conclude that the Internet is an effective and efficient medium for incorporating industry based projects into the curriculum, leading to greater student proficiency with course material and the fundamental concepts of Engineering Economy as applied to the real world. Conclusions and future plans are also provided.