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Bringing the 'Dismal Science' to Life: Teaching Economics Through Multimedia

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  • Wayne Geerling

    (Pennsylvania State University)

Abstract

This article examines the pedagogical benefits of using multimedia in the teaching of economics at undergraduate level. It also provides an example from my own teaching to serve as a reference for lecturers interested in creating an interactive learning environment, which prompts genuine two-way discussion in the classroom and produces better learning outcomes for students. The final section ties in the use of multimedia with broader debates among economists about the appropriate level of government intervention in the economy. The paper concludes by arguing that the use of multimedia has strong pedagogical advantages in stimulating greater student engagement and helping to rectify the image of economics in the wider community. Lecturers interested in using multimedia in their teaching will find an extensive list of web resources at the end of this paper.

Suggested Citation

  • Wayne Geerling, 2012. "Bringing the 'Dismal Science' to Life: Teaching Economics Through Multimedia," International Review of Economic Education, Economics Network, University of Bristol, vol. 11(2), pages 81-90.
    • Handle: RePEc:che:ireepp:v:11:y:2012:i:2:p:81-90
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    File URL: https://www.economicsnetwork.ac.uk/sites/default/files/Ashley/Geerling%2C%2011.2.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Don Leet & Scott Houser, 2003. "Economics Goes to Hollywood: Using Classic Films and Documentaries to Create an Undergraduate Economics Course," The Journal of Economic Education, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 34(4), pages 326-332, December.
    2. William E. Becker & Michael Watts, 2001. "Teaching Economics at the Start of the 21st Century: Still Chalk-and-Talk," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 91(2), pages 446-451, May.
    3. G. Dirk Mateer & Herman Li, 2008. "Movie Scenes for Economics," The Journal of Economic Education, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 39(3), pages 303-303, July.
    4. 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.
    5. Robert Lawson & Joshua Hall & G. Dirk Mateer, 2008. "From Abba to Zeppelin, Led: Using Music to Teach Economics," The Journal of Economic Education, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 39(1), pages 107-107, January.
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    7. Avinash Dixit, 2005. "Restoring Fun to Game Theory," The Journal of Economic Education, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 36(3), pages 205-219, July.
    8. Becker, William E & Watts, Michael, 1996. "Chalk and Talk: A National Survey on Teaching Undergraduate Economics," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 86(2), pages 448-453, May.
    9. William E. Becker, 2004. "Economics for a Higher Education," International Review of Economic Education, Economics Network, University of Bristol, vol. 3(1), pages 52-62.
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    12. Roland G. Fryer & Jacob K. Goeree & Charles A. Holt, 2005. "Experience-Based Discrimination: Classroom Games," The Journal of Economic Education, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 36(2), pages 160-170, April.
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    Cited by:

    1. Karla Borja & Suzanne Dieringer, 2023. "Telling My Story: Applying Storytelling to Complex Economic Data," Eastern Economic Journal, Palgrave Macmillan;Eastern Economic Association, vol. 49(3), pages 328-348, June.
    2. repec:eee:ireced:v:30:y:2019:i:c:p:- is not listed on IDEAS
    3. Wayne Geerling & G. Dirk Mateer & Jadrian Wooten, 2024. "Engaging Gen Z Students with Economic Lessons Featuring MrBeast," Journal of Economics Teaching, Journal of Economics Teaching, vol. 9(2), pages 110-122, May.
    4. Amanda Mandzik, 2022. "Once Upon an Economics Course: Using Fairy Tales to Teach Economics," Journal of Economics Teaching, Journal of Economics Teaching, vol. 7(3), pages 147-161, October.
    5. Milovanska-Farrington, Stefani & Mateer, Dirk, 2025. "From Startup to Success: Using Gen Z Entrepreneurs to Teach Economics," IZA Discussion Papers 17638, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    6. Amanda Mandzik, 2023. "All I Want for Christmas is an A on My Econ Final: A Holiday-Themed Review Class," Journal of Economics Teaching, Journal of Economics Teaching, vol. 8(2), pages 72-86, May.
    7. Jadrian Wooten & Kalina Staub, 2023. "Teaching Economics with Parks and Recreation," Journal of Economics Teaching, Journal of Economics Teaching, vol. 9(1), pages 1-16, February.
    8. Marie Briguglio & Charity-Joy Acchiardo & Dirk Mateer & Wayne Geerling, 2020. "Behavioral economics in film: Insights for educators," Journal of Behavioral Economics for Policy, Society for the Advancement of Behavioral Economics (SABE), vol. 4(1), pages 17-28, December.
    9. Dustin White & Jadrian Wooten, 2023. "Moneyball as a Resource for Teaching Economics," Journal of Economics Teaching, Journal of Economics Teaching, vol. 8(3), pages 194-197, October.
    10. repec:jpe:journl:1715 is not listed on IDEAS
    11. Diaz Vidal, Daniel & Mungenast, Kyle & Diaz Vidal, Jesus, 2020. "Economics through film: Thinking like an economist," International Review of Economics Education, Elsevier, vol. 35(C).

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