Beyond Search Engines: Enhancing Active Learning Using the Internet

Abstract

Many college instructors use the Internet primarily as an information resource as part of their class instruction. However, the Internet is a teaching tool with the capacity to enhance students' critical thinking skills and active learning. We argue that the Internet provides instructors with many opportunities to increase active student participation, enhance their collaboration and written communication skills, and sharpen their critical thinking and reflection skills. Therefore, the Internet should be included in college teaching beyond looking up information and familiarizing students with Web sites relevant to their course of study. We illustrate the utility of the Internet through five examples of online exercises assigned in different political science classes, from freshman introductory courses to an upper‐division Scope and Methods course. We present research that demonstrates the potential for improved learner outcomes by using online assignments as an instructional tool. Finally, the article acknowledges some of the more pressing problems and caveats of teaching with technology.