2016 Workshop: Teaching Economics with Excel
This workshop was held from May 27 - 28, 2016 at National University in San Diego, California. I would like to deeply thank Dr. Nelson Altamirano for his help in supporting and enabling this event. The venue was spectacular and Nelson was a wonderful host. Thanks also to Dr. Lena Rodriguez, Dean of the School of Business and Management, for welcoming me and allowing me to share my work at National University.
The original description and schedule are below, after a few comments from participants and photos.
Participants
Becky Havens, Point Loma Nazarene University (thanks for the license plate art!)
Russell Parkman, National University
Boris Wong, UC-San Diego
Paul Jones, Pepperdine
Yuan Emily Tang, UC-San Diego
Mitiku Banae, University of San Diego
Homayun Elahi-Shirazi, Southwestern College
Easeeta Chaudhuri, National University
Radu Munteanu, Palomar College
Nelson Altamirano, National University
Selection of Comments and Feedback Quoted from Evaluations
"Best teaching workshop I've ever attended."
"Excellent. Bert is a superb, natural leader and teacher. Thank you!!"
"I especially liked the FRED data!"
"I definitely want to incorporate some of these resources for my classes."
"Favorite? Easy. SIMULATION!"
"Fantastic time even though my computer too slow to keep up with you."
"Very helpful to give new ideas on active learning methods."
"Mechanisms via comparative statics in Excel very creative!"
"I liked FRED and macro Excel books the most."
"Intense yet productive."
"Good speed. Lots of important concepts. Wish we did Visual Basic."
Photos
Description
While the content of the typical undergraduate economics course has remained stable in recent decades, computers have become more powerful, easier to use, and as common as pencil and paper. In spite of these developments, teaching methods in the classroom remain virtually unchanged, with chalk-and-talk the dominant mode of delivery. This workshop will demonstrate how to utilize computer-based, active learning techniques to teach economics in a variety of subfields and different levels.
On the first day, we will work intensively with several Excel add-ins that have wide application, including: running Monte Carlo simulations, performing comparative statics analyses, downloading data directly into Excel from the St. Louis Fed's FRED database, and exploring long-run, global trends in real GDP per person with Maddison's World Economy data. The second day is devoted to working with prepared, macro-enabled workbooks for Econometrics, Intermediate Micro, Intermediate Macro, and Introductory Economics. We will work with lecture, lab, and flipped classroom deliveries.
This professional development will enable participants to create new course materials and content. Individual lectures, lab components, or entire courses can be reworked and enhanced, including flipping the classroom. Each day concludes with time for participants to explore workbooks and ideas on their own, with consultation if needed.
Dates and Location
May 27 and 28, 2016 at National University's Sanford Education Center located in the Administrative Headquarters building.
Guest wifi is available for your laptop (Windows with Excel, of course, or a Mac emulating Windows is required).
We will begin on Friday, May 27, 2015 at 8:30 AM and follow the schedule below.
Schedule
| Friday | Saturday | |
| 27-May-2016 | 28-May-2016 | |
| 8:30 AM | Tech Setup | Tech Setup |
| 9:00 AM | Tools | Econometrics |
| Monte Carlo Simulation | www.wabash.edu/econometrics | |
| 10:30 AM | Tools | Microeconomics |
| Solver and Comparative Statics | www.depauw.edu/learn/microexcel | |
| NOON | Lunch | Lunch |
| 1:30 PM | Tools | Macroeconomics |
| FRED Data | www.depauw.edu/learn/macroexcel | |
| 3:00 PM | Tools | Intro Labs |
| Economic Growth | www.depauw.edu/learn/introeconlab | |
| 5:00 PM | Open Exploration | Open Exploration |
Previous Workshops
Click on a date below to see a list of participants, comments, photos, and a description of that year's workshop:
You can also view a map of all Econ Excel Workshop Home Institutions. Faculty from small liberal arts colleges to large state universities and a few international institutions have attended.
Bio
Dr. Barreto is interested in using computers (especially Microsoft Excel) to improve the teaching and learning of economics. He is the Q. G. Noblitt Professor of Economics and Management at DePauw University and author, with Frank M. Howland, of Introductory Econometrics using Monte Carlo Simulation with Microsoft Excel (Cambridge University Press, 2006) and Intermediate Microeconomics with Microsoft Excel (Cambridge University Press, 2009). He has been a Fulbright Scholar, won several teaching awards, and has presented the materials used in this workshop at many colleges and universities around the world. His current project is Teaching Macroeconomics with Excel, forthcoming in the spring of 2016.
Costs and Funding
This workshop is made possible by generous support from DePauw University and National University. There is no fee to attend. Participants are responsible for all lodging and transportation costs.
Questions and Registration
Email hbarreto@depauw.edu if you have questions or would like further information.
Space is limited. Participants will be accepted on a first-come-first-served basis.
To reserve a seat, please click the button below: