The document introduces a project to develop course packages integrating innovative and conventional economics teaching techniques. The major objective of the project was to improve productivity in economics teaching at the college level. The document is presented in four sections. Section I explains that the project was initiated in 1976 by TEFRC (economics research center at Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, Scotland). Various phases of the project are identified: development of economics course packages, evaluation of materials, and follow-up studies of learning processes and methods of diffusing educational technology. Section II describes a pilot study in which 570 college students in economics courses worked with two course packages. Information is presented on working out logistics of the experiment, improving materials as a result of the pilot study, and design improvements for the final course package. Section III reviews classical principles of experimental design and identifies problems involved in creating experimental designs. Problems include failing to consider all relevant alternatives, dealing with variables which are difficult to observe, and selecting procedures which are optimal in a given situation. The final section presents a directory of institutions which participated in the study. (DB)