Learning About Learning: Students' Course Choice
36 Pages Posted: 19 Jan 2005
Date Written: December 2004
Abstract
We use a broad sample of students to provide insight into the course selection process. Consistent with a learning model, we find that students with more years of college experience select courses that are a better match because they make better use of the information available to them. We also find evidence for a social learning process in that students rely heavily on advice from peers in selecting courses. Finally, students appear to be learning how to learn: As they gain college experience, they become more sophisticated in the use of social learning.
Keywords: course choice, social learning, peer effects, herd behavior
JEL Classification: A22, D83
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation