APPLICATION OF COMPUTER-GRAPHICS TO UNDERGRADUATE INSTRUCTION IN AGRICULTURAL-ECONOMICS

This article outlines are experience in building a freshman-level course in agricultural economics employing computer graphics imaging. Lecture material is displayed with a computer connected to a large-screen projector producing high-resolution graphics. The complete course consists of approximately 1,200 computer-generated text, chart, or graphics images. An evaluation of the new method was conducted. Results indicate that most students prefer lectures that employ computer graphics to those that use a chalkboard or an overhead projector. Evidence supports the hypothesis that students perform better on exams when the innovations described in this paper are adopted.