Instructors may use low-cost, light-touch strategies to help students achieve optimal effort in demanding upper-level courses. The authors of this study exploit an intervention that provides a series of personalized feedback emails to students about their relative performance, which is tied to approving messages or tips that encourage improvement.…

The presentation of economics in introductory courses has been highlighted as potentially exacerbating the underrepresentation of women in economics. The authors study the impact of a gender-neutral change in content and instruction in introductory economics courses intended to increase student engagement. By implementing meaningful applied…

Ever since Becker and Watts (1996) found that economic educators rely heavily on "chalk and talk" as a primary teaching method, economic educators have been seeking new ways to engage students and improve learning outcomes. Recently, the use of social media as a pedagogical tool in economics has received increasing interest. The authors…

Investigates whether International Economic Exchange Program (IEEP) seminars for teachers had a beneficial effect on the economic understanding of their students. Shows a larger increase in the economic understanding of students of teachers who participated in the IEEP seminars compared with students of teachers who did not. (RLH)

Presents the initial development of a student learning inventory (SLI) that is specific to economics. Argues that continued development of an economic-specific SLI may result in better understanding of students' learning engagement with economics, assist instructors' understanding of student learning difficulties, and increase student success in…

Explores the effectiveness of an alternative grading scheme for college economics. This method consists of giving frequent homework but only grading one or two problems from each assignment. Initial studies suggest that selective grading has little or no adverse effect on the quality of the students' coursework. (MJP)

Illustrates how Web-based technologies can be used to encourage and motivate students to become active participants in the introductory economics classroom and describes two Web-based active learning exercises that place students in the center of the learning process. Includes reactions by Kim Sosin and Linda M. Manning. (CMK)

Describes a computerized English-auction experiment that helps students to understand marginal cost and its interrelationships with supply and the efficiency of competitive markets. Explains that the English auction is in a market where there are many sellers (students) and one buyer (computer). States that this exercise offers a good introduction…

Reports on an experiment that tested whether course length and concentration affect learning. Using the "Economics U$A" television series, compares student performance in two classes taught over differing time periods. Results implied that concentrated time periods for courses may lead to more concentrated student effort. (LS)

Demonstrates that computer-based lecture (CBL) can enhance student learning in economics courses. Addresses various tools and techniques that teachers can utilize, such as assisted notetaking and presentation materials. Considers four active, collaborative exercises that can be facilitated through CBL techniques. Includes reactions by Gisela Meyer…

Describes the preparation and execution of a statistics course, an undergraduate econometrics course, and a microeconomic theory course that all utilize Internet technology. Reviews seven principles of teaching practice in order to demonstrate how to enhance the quality of student learning using Web technologies. Includes reactions by Steve Hurd…

Suggests that using the one-minute paper to teach an introductory economics course increases economic knowledge regardless of student ability level and instructor characteristics. The one-minute paper is a form of feedback where the students answer a few basic questions about the lesson at the end of the class. (MJP)

Describes a senior economics seminar where the professor created his own paper along with the students to demonstrate the expected standards of effort and excellence. The components of the paper were produced in stages. Each component was tied to a specific research or editing process. (MJP)

Using a standard economics course as a control group, tests the relative effectiveness of "Economics U$A," a telecourse on student achievement and attitudes in both on-campus and off-campus settings. Concludes that the telecourse can be used successfully in nontraditional courses, and that delivery format may have an impact on student…

Compares academic performance between two groups of students in a statistics course. One group was given homework generated by computer software that provided feedback concerning incorrect answers. The other relied on the textbook without benefit of the feedback. The group using the software performed better on homework and tests. (MJP)