Cooperative Learning as a Supplement to the Economics Lecture

Abstract

As stakeholders clamor for alternative teaching and learning strategies, many options are worthy possibilities. Central to choosing among such alternatives are those that require little outlay of cash, can be used in practically any learning environment, and are proven to be beneficial to both students and educators. In order to accommodate a change from lecture as the primary format of education, choices are available for the educator who wants to expand into student-centered education. One such method is cooperative learning where interdependence becomes the integral element of learning. As a teaching tool, it provides many of the benefits necessary for efficient education, including improvements in group work, critical thinking, individual responsibility, communication, and interpersonal relationships. Additionally, ample research touts the effectiveness of cooperative learning as a proficient tool for education. In order to evaluate cooperative learning in the classroom, a number of reasons are presented in support of cooperative learning as are examples and results from a number of exercises used in both micro-and macroeconomics courses.

Literature Review: Effect of Cooperative Learning on Intrinsic Motivation

“… Positive interdependence (one cannot win unless everyone wins)  Individual accountability (everyone must contribute)  Interpersonal skills (communication, problem solving, etc.)  Face-to-face interaction  Reflection (evaluating and team) (Baumgardner, 2015).…”

Introduction

“…The benefits of using group-work learning methods with learners are recognised and advocated by many (e.g. Baumgardner 2015;Zarraga-Rodriguez et al 2015;Peterson 2012). Authors highlight the benefits of using peer learning and co-operative learning activities, and show how they contribute to independent learning and the development of the communication skills of learners.…”

A Stroll Down the Dollar Street: Teaching Per-Capita GDP Using Internationally Comparable Photographs

“…The benefits of active and cooperative learning are well documented. These range from increased student engagement and enhanced learning (Buckles and Hoyt, 2006), to higher exam grades and participation rates (Deerfield, 2019;Yamarik, 2007;and Baumgardner, 2015), to reduced achievement gaps between socio-economically advantaged and disadvantaged students (Hettler, 2015a), as well as increased examination performance for international students (Johnston et al, 2000). For extended discussions about the merits of active and cooperative learning, refer to Allgood et al (2015), Emerson et al (2015), Hettler (2015b), McGoldrick (2011), Bartlett (2006), and Becker et al (2006), among others.…”