McMahon, Michael F. (2011) Classroom games in economics : a quantitative assessment of the 'beer game'. Working Paper. Coventry: University of Warwick. Dept. of Economics. (Warwick economics research paper series (TWERPS), Vol.2011).

Preview

PDF WRAP_McMahon_twerp_964.pdf - Other - Requires a PDF viewer such as GSview, Xpdf or Adobe Acrobat Reader Download (562Kb)

Abstract

Using an experiment, I compare the use of the 'Beer Distribution' classroom game with the more traditional 'chalk and talk' approach to teach students about inventories and the macroeconomy. My empirical results confirm and extend our understanding of the relative strengths and weaknesses of the use of classroom games: the game tends to improve interest and motivation on average, though some students dislike their use; the game is effective at driving home its key messages, but it may wrongly lead students to disregard other important factors; the game is inferior where facts mastery or de nitional learning is required. Rather than an endorsement or a criticism of classroom games, the conclusion is cautionary advice on how to best make use of games within an overall course.

Item Type:	Working or Discussion Paper (Working Paper)
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HB Economic Theory L Education > LB Theory and practice of education > LB2300 Higher Education
Divisions:	Faculty of Social Sciences > Economics
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Macroeconomics -- Study and teaching (Higher), Inventories -- Study and teaching (Higher), Educational games
Series Name:	Warwick economics research paper series (TWERPS)
Publisher:	University of Warwick. Dept. of Economics
Place of Publication:	Coventry
Date:	2011
Volume:	Vol.2011
Number:	No.964
Status:	Not Peer Reviewed
Publication Status:	Published
Access rights to Published version:	Open Access
References:	Balkenborg, D., and T. Kaplan (2009): \Economic Classroom Experiments," in The Economics Network Handbook for Economics Lecturers, ed. by P. Davies. Ball, S. B., C. Eckel, and C. Rojas (2006): \Technology Improves Learning in Large Principles of Economics Classes: Using Our WITS," American Economic Review, 96(2), 442{446. Becker, W. E., and M. Watts (1995): \Teaching tools: teaching methods in undergraduate economics," Economic Inquiry, 33(4), 692{700. (1996): \Chalk and Talk: A National Survey on Teaching Undergraduate Economics," The American Economic Review, 86(2). Beer Game Website (2011): \http://www.beergame.org/," . Blinder, A. S. (1981): \Retail Inventory Behavior and Business Fluctuations," Brookings Papers on Economic Activity, 12(1981-2), 443{505. Bloom, B. S. (1956): Taxonomy of Educational Objectives, Handbook 1: Cognitive Domain. Addison Wesley Publishing Company, Boston, MA, USA. Chamberlin, E. H. (1948): \An Experimental Imperfect Market," The Journal of Political Economy, 56(2), 95{108. Dickie, M. (2006): \Do Classroom Experiments Increase Learning in Introductory Microeconomics?ry Microeconomics," Journal of Economic Education, 37(3), 267{ 288. Durham, Y., T. Mckinnon, and C. Schulman (2007): \Classroom Experiments: Not Just Fun And Games," Economic Inquiry, 45(1), 162{178. Emerson, T. L. N., and B. A. Taylor (2004): \Comparing Student Achievement across Experimental and Lecture-Oriented Sections of a Principles of Microeconomics Course," Southern Economic Journal, 70(3), 672{693. (2010): \Do Classroom Experiments Affect the Number of Economics Enrolments and Majors?," International Review of Economics Education, 9(2), 42{58. Fels, R. (1993): \This Is What I Do, and I Like It," The Journal of Economic Education, 24(4), pp. 365{370. Forrester, J. (1961): Industrial Dynamics. MIT Press, Cambridge, MA. Gremmen, H., and J. Potters (1997): \Assessing the Efficacy of Gaming in Economic Education," The Journal of Economic Education, 28(4), pp. 291{303. Holt, C. A. (1999): \Teaching Economics with Classroom Experiments: A Symposium," Southern Economic Journal, 65(3), 603{610. Lowry, P. E. (1999): \Model GATT: A Role-Playing Simulation Course," Journal of Economic Education, 30(2), 119{126. Marton, F., and R. Saljo (1976): \On qualitative differences in learning. I Outcome and Process," British Journal of Educational Psychology, 46(1), 4{11. Sterman, J. (1989): \Modeling Managerial Behavior: Misperceptions of Feedback in a Dynamic Decision Making Experiemnt," Management Science, 35(3), 321{339. Trigwell K., P. M., and F. Waterhouse (1999): \Relations Between Teachers' Approaches to Teaching and Students' Approaches to Learning," Higher Education, 37, 57{70. Watts, M., and R. Guest (2010): \Experimental Economics and Economic Education: Editorial," International Review of Economics Education, 9(2), 6{9. Whitton, N. (2007a): \An investigation into the potential of collaborative computer game-based learning in Higher Education," Ph.D. thesis, Napier University. (2007b): \Motivation and computer game based learning," in ICT: Providing choices for learners and learning: Proceedings ascilite Singapore 2007. Wieman, C. (2009): \A new model for transforming the teaching of science in higher education," http://www.dit.ie/media/newsdocuments/2009/ANewModel.ppt.
URI:	http://wrap.warwick.ac.uk/id/eprint/41109

Request changes to a record

Actions (login required)

View Item