Making Economics Interactive:

A Holistic Approach to Teaching

Natalia V. Smirnova, Ph.D.

Michelle Ryan, CAGS

American Institute for Economic Research

(AIER)

Outline1. Introduction

2. Lesson on Inflation

3. Innovative Pedagogy and Assessment of Students’ Learning Outcomes

4. Conclusion

1. Introduction • Originality of our approach in its aim

to expand three areas of teaching in an integrated, holistic manner.

(1) presentation of the information;

(2) interaction with the concept;

(3) assessment of students’ understanding.

What we didTeach-the-Teachers Initiative (TTI):

A five-day program providing customized training to high-school teachers, that gives them necessary skills and knowledge to effectively deliver top-quality economics instruction.

TTI Objectives:

1. Economic Concepts and Their Application;

2. Teaching Strategies;

3. Integration in the Classroom and Across Disciplines.

Customized

Binder

that

contains: Lesson plans aligned with Common Core and CEE Standards

Instructional strategies to engage students

Assessment alternatives

Additional online resources

2. Lesson on Inflation

Steps of our holistic approach:

1. Present an economic concept in a simple way

2. Provide hands-on activities to students

3. Show the data sources for future use

Step 1: Present an economic concept in a

simple way

• CPI – see handout

• Alternative Index –

Everyday Price Index (EPI)

Step 2:Provide hands-on activities to

studentsScavenger Hunt activity (see handout)

FRED – CPI-U vs CPI-W

AIER – EPI vs CPI

FRED Scavenger Hunt activity

AIER Scavenger Hunt activity

AIER Scavenger Hunt activity

Jan-1987

Mar-1

988

May-1989

Jul-1990

Sep-1991

Nov-1992

Jan-1994

Mar-1

995

May-1996

Jul-1997

Sep-1998

Nov-1999

Jan-2001

Mar-2

002

May-2003

Jul-2004

Sep-2005

Nov-2006

Jan-2008

Mar-2

009

May-2010

Jul-2011

Sep-2012

Nov-20130.0

50.0

100.0

150.0

200.0

250.0

300.0

CPI vs EPI

EPI level (Jan 1987 =100) CPI-U: All Items (SA, 1987=100)

Step 3:Show the data sources for future

use• CPI – EconLowDown Resources

https://www.stlouisfed.org/education_resources/econ-ed-online-learning/

• FRED

• EPI -- AIER https://www.aier.org/

3. Innovative Pedagogy and Assessment of Students’

Learning Outcomes

In the slides and activities thus far we have used:

Attention Grabbers – Presentation options

from: www.blog.lookbetteronline.com

Active Learning Strategiesfrom missholmes-cpd.blogspot.com

Using Understanding by Design

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Lesson-Planning-Template-Aligned-to-Backwards-Design-and-Gradual-Release-778488

Cooperative Learning

from http://dylanwiliam.org/Dylan_Wiliams_website/Presentations.htm

Formative Assessment

Performance Assessment

4. Conclusions

Holistic Approach to Teaching Economics:

1. Less is more

2. Present an economic concept in a simple way

3. Provide hands-on activities to students

4. Show the data sources for future use

5. Design alternative assessment methods

6. Have fun with students!

4. Conclusions

Recruitment of Participants

for 2015 program:

Please take the brochure

Questions?