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Big Think: A Model for Critical Inquiry in Economics Courses

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  • KimMarie McGoldrick
  • Robert Garnett

Abstract

Economic educators often profess the goal of teaching our students to "think like economists." Since Siegfried and colleagues (1991) coined this phrase, its meaning has been interpreted as a focus on analytical concepts and methods of economics as opposed to the broader goal of preparing students for independent, critical thought in the complex world beyond college. Colander and McGoldrick (2009b) argued that students are more likely to achieve both of these objectives when the learning process includes open-ended questions that encourage them to move beyond algorithmic application of textbook principles. In this article, the authors operationalize this "big think" approach through an instructional module on differential tuition pricing, the development of which was enhanced by careful attention to contemporary learning theory.

Suggested Citation

  • KimMarie McGoldrick & Robert Garnett, 2013. "Big Think: A Model for Critical Inquiry in Economics Courses," The Journal of Economic Education, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 44(4), pages 389-398, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:jeduce:v:44:y:2013:i:4:p:389-398
    DOI: 10.1080/00220485.2013.825118
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. David Colander & KimMarie McGoldrick, 2009. "The Teagle Foundation Report: The Economics Major as Part of a Liberal Education," Chapters, in: David Colander & KimMarie McGoldrick (ed.), Educating Economists, chapter 1, Edward Elgar Publishing.
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    5. David Colander, 2001. "The Lost Art of Economics," Books, Edward Elgar Publishing, number 2415.
    6. Paul W. Grimes, 2009. "Reflections on Introductory Course Structures," Chapters, in: David Colander & KimMarie McGoldrick (ed.), Educating Economists, chapter 10, Edward Elgar Publishing.
    7. W. Lee Hansen & Michael K. Salemi & John J. Siegfried, 2002. "Use It or Lose It: Teaching Literacy in the Economics Principles Course," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 92(2), pages 463-472, May.
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    9. Feiner, Susan & Roberts, Bruce, 1995. "Using Alternative Paradigms to Teach about Race and Gender: A Critical Thinking Approach to Introductory Economics," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 85(2), pages 367-371, May.
    10. Geoff Schneider & Jean Shackelford, 2001. "Economics Standards and Lists: Proposed Antidotes for Feminist Economists," Feminist Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 7(2), pages 77-89.
    11. Mark Maier & Joann Bangs & Niels-Hugo Blunch, 2010. "Context-rich Problems in Economics," Chapters, in: Michael K. Salemi & William B. Walstad (ed.), Teaching Innovations in Economics, chapter 8, Edward Elgar Publishing.
    12. Sam Allgood & William B. Walstad, 1999. "What Do College Seniors Know about Economics?," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 89(2), pages 350-354, May.
    13. Shackelford, Jean, 1992. "Feminist Pedagogy: A Means for Bringing Critical Thinking and Creativity to the Economics Classroom," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 82(2), pages 570-576, May.
    14. Andrea L. Ziegert & KimMarie McGoldrick, 2008. "When Service is Good for Economics: Linking the Classroom and Community through Service-Learning," International Review of Economic Education, Economics Network, University of Bristol, vol. 7(2), pages 39-56.
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    Cited by:

    1. A. Arrighetti & A. Lasagni, 2018. "Insegnare Economia Industriale ‘in a digital age’," Economics Department Working Papers 2018-EP06, Department of Economics, Parma University (Italy).
    2. Geoffrey Schneider, 2011. "The Purpose, Structure and Content of the Principles of Economics Course," Chapters, in: Gail M. Hoyt & KimMarie McGoldrick (ed.), International Handbook on Teaching and Learning Economics, chapter 27, Edward Elgar Publishing.
    3. Kathryn L. Combs & Monica E. Hartmann & Joseph L. Kreitzer, 2023. "An International Exercise to Increase Awareness of How Market, Political, and Cultural Institutions Affect Economic Activity," Eastern Economic Journal, Palgrave Macmillan;Eastern Economic Association, vol. 49(1), pages 54-77, January.
    4. Dubas, Justin M. & Toledo, Santiago A., 2016. "Taking higher order thinking seriously: Using Marzano’s taxonomy in the economics classroom," International Review of Economics Education, Elsevier, vol. 21(C), pages 12-20.
    5. KimMarie McGoldrick & Andrea L. Ziegert, 2011. "Let Experience be the Guide: Experiential Education in Economics," Chapters, in: Gail M. Hoyt & KimMarie McGoldrick (ed.), International Handbook on Teaching and Learning Economics, chapter 6, Edward Elgar Publishing.

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