Project Type
Faculty Scholarship
Scholarship Domain(s)
Scholarship of Teaching and Learning
Presentation Type
Presentation
Abstract
During the current academic year, both introductory and upper-division economics courses at Olivet have used an app in Canvas, developed by Beagle Learning, for the purpose of engaging students in critical thinking using an inquiry learning process. Students iteratively cycle through: 1) posing a goal question, 2) finding a resource which provides an answer to that question, at least in part, which then 3) prompts an additional question whose answer increases the degree of certainty regarding the original goal question.
This presentation will concentrate on how this process has been incorporated into the Principles of Economics class, which is a required course for all majors in the McGraw School of Business, as well as a General Education option in the Social Science section of the Cultural Literacy category. It will begin with a brief description of Beagle Learning, which was co-founded by Olivet alumna Carolyn Goettsch Bickers ’13, as well as an explanation of the events which led to this partnership. Following this introduction, the presentation will focus on how the Beagle app has facilitated assignments which have enabled both structured and guided inquiry. In the latter case, these assignments have provided the research base for students to engage in a series of in-class debates on contemporary topics that were related to relevant subject during that week. Survey data, from students who have completed this course, or who are currently enrolled, will also be included.
Permission Type
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Included in
What’s Your Natural Next Question? The Inquiry Approach to Learning Economics
Fishbowl
During the current academic year, both introductory and upper-division economics courses at Olivet have used an app in Canvas, developed by Beagle Learning, for the purpose of engaging students in critical thinking using an inquiry learning process. Students iteratively cycle through: 1) posing a goal question, 2) finding a resource which provides an answer to that question, at least in part, which then 3) prompts an additional question whose answer increases the degree of certainty regarding the original goal question.
This presentation will concentrate on how this process has been incorporated into the Principles of Economics class, which is a required course for all majors in the McGraw School of Business, as well as a General Education option in the Social Science section of the Cultural Literacy category. It will begin with a brief description of Beagle Learning, which was co-founded by Olivet alumna Carolyn Goettsch Bickers ’13, as well as an explanation of the events which led to this partnership. Following this introduction, the presentation will focus on how the Beagle app has facilitated assignments which have enabled both structured and guided inquiry. In the latter case, these assignments have provided the research base for students to engage in a series of in-class debates on contemporary topics that were related to relevant subject during that week. Survey data, from students who have completed this course, or who are currently enrolled, will also be included.