Art of Econ: Incorporating the Arts through Active Learning Assignments in Principles Courses

Abstract

Research has shown that, at the principles level, economic education relies mainly on exams for assessment. Introducing differentiated assessment in economic education through active learning provides a way for economic educators to increase the level of learning and to assess a higher level of understanding. In this paper we provide instructors with low-cost active learning assignments. These assignments rely on creative art projects and require students to create economic content, by determining necessary information, organize thoughts and using economic language clearly and precisely. We believe that these assignments better assess deeper levels of learning. We advocate for using the active learning assignments in conjunction with multiple-choice exams. Multiple instruments of assessment and learning will provide a more inclusive educational environment.