Overview: Problem Based Economics
Problem Based Economics is a rigorous and relevant, highly participatory way to teach abstract economics principles that many students find difficult to understand. In Problem Based Economics:
- Students confront a realistic dilemma that, through analysis, investigation, research, and discussion allows for more than one possible solution;
- Students discover that knowledge of economics is essential to understanding and solving the problem;
- Students become intrigued by the problem they are addressing, and motivated to learn the standards-based economic content.
BIE worked with a group of high school economics teachers and economics experts to develop the Problem Based Economics units. These units address all of the high school standards set forth in the Voluntary National Content Standards in Economics. Field tests and ongoing evaluation studies in a variety of classrooms have demonstrated the effectiveness of the units. Teachers concerned about "covering" the standards for their course may wonder if they can take the time to teach economics using a problem based approach. Our research and teachers' experience show that they can, because of the units' careful design.
