IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/spr/eaiere/v21y2024i1d10.1007_s40844-023-00265-9.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Reality-oriented critical learning using the CORE in introductory economics courses: cognitive engagement and economic literacy

Author

Listed:
  • Natsuka Tokumaru

    (Ritsumeikan University)

Abstract

The Economy: Economics for a Changing World by the Curriculum Open-Access Resources in Economics (CORE) team is an online, open-resource textbook designed to propose a ‘new benchmark’ for introductory economics. In this study, the author examined the effectiveness of this textbook (the CORE hereafter) by comparing it with an existing standard textbook and conducting a Test of Economic Literacy (TEL) before and after an introductory economics course using the CORE at Ritsumeikan University in Japan. According to the study, the method of the CORE can be described as ‘reality-oriented critical learning’ and is in contrast to that of existing orthodox textbooks that use ‘model-oriented step-by-step learning’. The TEL results indicated that the participants’ economic literacy improved significantly after taking CORE-based courses. This finds that the CORE works to develop learners’ economic literacy because it effectively evokes their ‘cognitive engagement’ in the learning process.

Suggested Citation

  • Natsuka Tokumaru, 2024. "Reality-oriented critical learning using the CORE in introductory economics courses: cognitive engagement and economic literacy," Evolutionary and Institutional Economics Review, Springer, vol. 21(1), pages 97-113, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:eaiere:v:21:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1007_s40844-023-00265-9
    DOI: 10.1007/s40844-023-00265-9
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s40844-023-00265-9
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: Access to the full text of the articles in this series is restricted.
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1007/s40844-023-00265-9?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Miguel Almunia & Agustín Bénétrix & Barry Eichengreen & Kevin H. O’Rourke & Gisela Rua, 2010. "From Great Depression to Great Credit Crisis: similarities, differences and lessons [Germany: Guns, butter, and economic miracles]," Economic Policy, CEPR, CESifo, Sciences Po;CES;MSH, vol. 25(62), pages 219-265.
    2. Poul Thøis Madsen, 2013. "The Financial Crisis and Principles of Economics Textbooks," The Journal of Economic Education, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 44(3), pages 197-216, September.
    3. Dean Craig, J. & Raisanen, Samuel R., 2013. "The impact of analyzing economic events on the learning of undergraduate economic theory," International Review of Economics Education, Elsevier, vol. 14(C), pages 24-35.
    4. Milton Friedman & Anna J. Schwartz, 1982. "Monetary Trends in the United States and United Kingdom: Their Relation to Income, Prices, and Interest Rates, 1867–1975," NBER Books, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc, number frie82-2, June.
    5. repec:bla:ecpoli:v:25:y:2010:i::p:219-265 is not listed on IDEAS
    6. David Colander, 2005. "What Economists Teach and What Economists Do," The Journal of Economic Education, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 36(3), pages 249-260, July.
    7. repec:oup:ecpoli:v:25:y:2010:i::p:219-265 is not listed on IDEAS
    8. Wolfe, Marketa Halova, 2020. "Integrating data analysis into an introductory macroeconomics course," International Review of Economics Education, Elsevier, vol. 33(C).
    9. repec:eee:ireced:v:30:y:2019:i:c:p:- is not listed on IDEAS
    10. Steven A. Greenlaw, 2003. "Using Writing to Enhance Student Learning in Undergraduate Economics," International Review of Economic Education, Economics Network, University of Bristol, vol. 1(1), pages 61-70.
    11. Wuthisatian, Rattaphon & Thanetsunthorn, Namporn, 2019. "Teaching macroeconomics with data: Materials for enhancing students’ quantitative skills," International Review of Economics Education, Elsevier, vol. 30(C), pages 1-1.
    12. Linda Dynan & Tom Cate, 2009. "The Impact of Writing Assignments on Student Learning: Should Writing Assignments Be Structured or Unstructured?," International Review of Economic Education, Economics Network, University of Bristol, vol. 8(1), pages 64-86.
    13. Vazquez, Jose J. & Chiang, Eric P., 2014. "A picture is worth a thousand words (at least): The effective use of visuals in the economics classroom," International Review of Economics Education, Elsevier, vol. 17(C), pages 109-119.
    14. Tisha L. N. Emerson & KimMarie McGoldrick, 2019. "Switching majors – into and out of economics," The Journal of Economic Education, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 50(3), pages 321-332, July.
    15. Allen, Robert C., 2001. "The Great Divergence in European Wages and Prices from the Middle Ages to the First World War," Explorations in Economic History, Elsevier, vol. 38(4), pages 411-447, October.
    16. Samuel Bowles & Wendy Carlin, 2020. "What Students Learn in Economics 101: Time for a Change," Journal of Economic Literature, American Economic Association, vol. 58(1), pages 176-214, March.
    17. Roland Happ & Olga Zlatkin-Troitschanskaia & Susanne Schmidt, 2016. "An analysis of economic learning among undergraduates in introductory economics courses in Germany," The Journal of Economic Education, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 47(4), pages 300-310, October.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    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. Grogan, Kelly A., 2017. "Will this be on the test? How exam structure affects perceptions of innovative assignments in a masters of science microeconomics course," International Review of Economics Education, Elsevier, vol. 26(C), pages 1-8.
    3. Hall, Joshua C. & Podemska-Mikluch, Marta, 2015. "Teaching the economic way of thinking through Op-eds," International Review of Economics Education, Elsevier, vol. 19(C), pages 13-21.
    4. Urban, Janina & Rommel, Florian, 2020. "German economics: Its current form and content," Working Paper Serie des Instituts für Ökonomie 56, Hochschule für Gesellschaftsgestaltung (HfGG), Institut für Ökonomie.
    5. Kristin Stowe, 2010. "A Quick Argument for Active Learning: The Effectiveness of One-Minute Papers," Journal for Economic Educators, Middle Tennessee State University, Business and Economic Research Center, vol. 10(1), pages 33-39, Summer.
    6. Saileshsingh Gunessee & Tom Lane, 2020. "Is Economics An Experimental Science? A Textbook Perspective," Discussion Papers 2020-16, The Centre for Decision Research and Experimental Economics, School of Economics, University of Nottingham.
    7. Jane E. Ihrig & Scott A. Wolla, 2020. "Let's Close the Gap: Revising Teaching Materials to Reflect How the Federal Reserve Implements Monetary Policy," Finance and Economics Discussion Series 2020-092, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (U.S.).
    8. Mendez-Carbajo, Diego & Dellachiesa, Alejandro, 2023. "Choice of data visualization tool: FRED or spreadsheets?," International Review of Economics Education, Elsevier, vol. 44(C).
    9. Gunessee, Saileshsingh & Lane, Tom, 2023. "Changing perceptions about experimentation in economics: 50 years of evidence from principles textbooks," Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics (formerly The Journal of Socio-Economics), Elsevier, vol. 107(C).
    10. Prema-chandra Athukorala & Archanun Kohpaiboon, 2010. "East Asia in World Trade: The Decoupling Fallacy, Crisis and Policy Challenges," Departmental Working Papers 2010-05, The Australian National University, Arndt-Corden Department of Economics.
    11. Aiginger, Karl, 2010. "The Great Recession vs. the Great Depression: Stylized facts on siblings that were given different foster parents," Economics - The Open-Access, Open-Assessment E-Journal (2007-2020), Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW Kiel), vol. 4, pages 1-41.
    12. Gerardo Manzo & Antonio Picca, 2020. "The Impact of Sovereign Shocks," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 66(7), pages 3113-3132, July.
    13. Patrick Legros & Andrew F. Newman & Eugenio Proto, 2014. "Smithian Growth through Creative Organization," The Review of Economics and Statistics, MIT Press, vol. 96(5), pages 796-811, December.
    14. Vania Licio, 2023. "The Italian coal shortage: the price of import and distribution, 1861–1911," Cliometrica, Springer;Cliometric Society (Association Francaise de Cliométrie), vol. 17(3), pages 501-532, September.
    15. Rafael Gonzalez-Val & David Cuberes, 2013. "History and Urban Primacy: The Effect of the Spanish Reconquista on Muslim Cities," ERSA conference papers ersa13p60, European Regional Science Association.
    16. Bordo, Michael D. & Rockoff, Hugh, 2013. "The Influence Of Irving Fisher On Milton Friedman’S Monetary Economics," Journal of the History of Economic Thought, Cambridge University Press, vol. 35(2), pages 153-177, June.
    17. Roy, Saktinil & Kemme, David M., 2012. "Causes of banking crises: Deregulation, credit booms and asset bubbles, then and now," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 24(C), pages 270-294.
    18. Barry Eichengreen, 2010. "The Crisis in Financial Innovation," Monetary Policy & the Economy, Oesterreichische Nationalbank (Austrian Central Bank), issue 1, pages 98-103.
    19. Nelson, Edward, 2017. "Reaffirming the Influence of Milton Friedman on U.K. Economic Policy," Working Papers 2017-01, University of Sydney, School of Economics, revised Feb 2017.
    20. James Foreman-Peck & Peng Zhou, 2021. "Fertility versus productivity: a model of growth with evolutionary equilibria," Journal of Population Economics, Springer;European Society for Population Economics, vol. 34(3), pages 1073-1104, July.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    Curriculum Open-Access Resources in Economics (CORE); Economic literacy; Introductory economics; Critical thinking; Cognitive engagement;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • A22 - General Economics and Teaching - - Economic Education and Teaching of Economics - - - Undergraduate
    • A39 - General Economics and Teaching - - Multisubject Collective Works - - - Other
    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:spr:eaiere:v:21:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1007_s40844-023-00265-9. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.springer.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.