Teaching Economics: Approaches to Instructional Design

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The Essential Elements of Active Learning
Techniques In Economics Courses
O.Wieland, PhD University of Minnesota
Crookston Business Department 2900 University
Ave. Crookston, MN 56716-5001 Wiel0057_at_umn.edu
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Outline

• The author analyses best practices that should be
  part of teaching economics courses.
• Challenges
• Purpose of Research
• Background
• Good Pedagogy
• Creating a Learning Environment
• Principles of Instructional Design
• Key Elements of Active Learning Techniques

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Challenges

• Conceptual Difficulty of the Subject
• The Nature of the Courses
• The Student population
• The Students Background and Preparation
• Time Constraints (constant feedback)
• Technology Availability (access to technology)
• Class Size
• Delivery Mode In Class or Online?

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Purpose of Research

• Analyze synthesis of learning activities for
  teaching Economics.
• Develop a theoretical approach for analyzing
  instructional design
• Planning
• Implementation
• Reflection

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Background/Related Work

• Henderson(1985), Wickens,(1996), Darcy(1997)
• Support, nurture intellectual development
• Learning is student-centered.
• Learning occurs in small student groups.
• Teachers are facilitators or guides.
• Realistic scenarios (from media) are the
  organizing focus and stimulus for learning.
• Student feedback mechanisms are the vehicle for
  the development of critical problem-solving
  skills.
• Essential and problem solving skills are acquired
  through individual and group learning.
• Technology incorporation/availability.
• Class size/design

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An Approach to Good Pedagogy

• Duckworth(1992)
• Students...allowed to do their own learning
• Presenting the LEARNING BY TEACHING
• Inquiry and Problem Solving Focused Instruction
• Controversy Element Critical Thinking
• Knowledge Application/Skill Building
• Varied and Continuous Assessment
• Student Progress
• Teacher Effectiveness

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An Approach to Good Pedagogy

• Data from over 400 course IDEA course
  evaluations
• IDEA diagnostic Form
• Includes evaluation of 20 effective teaching
  methods ( based on Chickering's research)
• Regression analysis to see which of the 20
  teaching methods predict Excellent Course rating

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IDEAS
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Active Learning Methods
Brain Storming
Think -pair- Share
Reaction to Video
Class-Game
Knowledge and Concept Formation
Experiments
Short Written Exercise
Discussion
Developing Skills
Collaborative Learning Groups
Case Studies
Debates
Learning By Teaching

• Application

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Learning Environment as Part of Instructional
Design

• ..in which the student
• Experiments, manipulates, seeks own answers
• Reconciles learning with others
• Is presented with content relevant and is asked
  to provide feedback
• ..in which the instructor
• Establishes a rapport with the students
• Encourages student involvements and collaboration
• Stimulates intellectual efforts
• Provides frequent feedback

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Principles of Instructional Design

• Cooperative learning methods
• Goal oriented
• Informed learning outcome
• Accountability
• Measurable impact
• Student centered learning activities
• Motivational component as a foundation of student
  success

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Components of Instructional Design

• Conceptual Relationships
• May be described as student-instructor
  communication (student guided and instructor
  guided) to create meaningful relationships among
  concepts
• Pedagogical Moves
• Examine the structure of the course as a series
  of pedagogical approaches that affect learning
  outcomes

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Elements Of Good Pedagogy

• There are five main elements which support the
  idea of intellectual stimulation and achieving a
  high learning outcome
• Cooperative Learning/Student Centered
• Real Life Application
• Active Learning Strategies
• Feedback
• Technology

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Element I Cooperative Learning/Student Centered

• Ensure cooperative learning mode
• Align curriculum with leaning outcome
• Include student facilitation process through
  classroom discussion
• Instructional environment is student centered
• Diversified mode of information delivery

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Element II Real-life Application

• Knowing/understanding Economics theory, concepts
• Real life examples
• Using learning outcome as a basis for
  instructional planning
• Using best active learning practices
• Exposure to professionals in the field
• Visual emphasis on information delivery

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Element III Active Learning Strategies

• Develop/provide instructional support materials
  that challenge students to examine diverse views
  of the content being studied
• Establish leadership roles and student discussion
  facilitators
• Provide the foundation for active engagement and
  student involvement in the learning process
• Reinforce the learning material and enhance
  student comprehension

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Element IV Feedback

• Multiple approaches to assessment
• Timely feedback is essential to student
  performance improvement
• Identify and eliminate misconceptions
• Provide a path for student/teacher interaction

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Element V Technology

• Provide and encourage experiential use of
  instructional technology ( Aplia, Moodle,
  Immediate Response Clicker System)
• Support student access to a variety of technology
  tools
• Integrate the use of technology across active
  learning methods

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Bibliography

• Serife KARAKOC, Nurettin SIMSEK. (May 2004) The
  effect of teaching strategies on the usage of
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  Strategies for reclaiming Black Hispanic
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  characteristics, sense of community, and
  cognitive achievement in web-based and lab-based
  learning environments. Journal of research on
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• Sharon D. Harsh and Eric Kincaid. (Winter 2007)
  Global education strategies developing
  macrostructures for understanding complex
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• Daniel R. Smith, David F. Ayers. (2006)
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Bibliography

• M. David Merrill. (2007) A task-centered
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• Charles Henderson, Andrea Beach, and Michael
  Famiano. (2007) Diffusion of educational
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• 9. David Wickens. (1973) Piagetian theory as a
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