2022 Workshop: Teaching Economics with Excel
This workshop was held from June 23 - 24, 2022 at Concordia University Irvine in Irvine, California. I would like to deeply thank Dr. George Wright and David Sanchez for their help in supporting and enabling this event. I also thank DePauw University and the Hewlett/Melon funds for financial support.
The original description and schedule are below, after a few comments from participants and photos.
Participants
Tammie |
Burkhart | Concordia University Irvine |
| TJ | Devine | Illinois College |
| Joe | Jameson | Concordia University Irvine |
| Sierra | Moussatche | Irvine Valley College |
Yi |
Schuler | Concordia University Irvine |
| Monica | Shukla-Belmontes | University of Massachusetts Global |
| Benjamin | Widner | New Mexico State University |
| Lisa | Wilder | Albright College |
| George | Wright | Concordia University Irvine |
Selection of Comments and Feedback Quoted from Evaluations
"What I've learned is mind-blowing and inspiring."
"I definitely look forward to showing my students the FRED data and the Monte Carlo is great for my stats courses."
"This was a fantastic workshop!"
"I also really appreciate the language of teaching and discussion of how to engage with students."
"I really like that you showed us how to do things for ourselves so we can customize our examples. You taught us how to fish!"
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 two-day, in-person professional development workshop will demonstrate how to utilize Excel and active learning techniques to teach economics and business. Participants will gain pedagogical knowledge and skills applicable to a variety of subfields and courses at different levels, enabling enhancement of existing courses and creation of new materials and content.
The workshop is designed to provide both ready-to-go classroom material and tools that can be used to generate your own examples and content. You can test drive a single application and gradually expand your teaching repertoire. This is an ideal, low-cost way to improve and re-energize a course you have taught many times or to create an entirely new course.
Individual lectures, lab modules, or entire courses can be reworked and updated, including flipping the classroom. Each day concludes with time for participants to explore workbooks and ideas on their own, with consultation if needed.
Target Audience: Economics and Business Faculty
Anyone actively teaching Economics or Business courses is welcome and will benefit from the innovative applications and pedagogical strategies showcased in this workshop.
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 has published papers and books on pedagogy, including (with Frank M. Howland) Introductory Econometrics using Monte Carlo Simulation with Microsoft Excel (Cambridge University Press, 2006), Intermediate Microeconomics with Microsoft Excel (Cambridge University Press, 2009) -- now freely open-access -- and Teaching Macroeconomics with Microsoft Excel (Cambridge Univeristy Press, 2016). 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.
Dates and Location
June 23 and 24, 2022 in the computer lab in Grimm Hall on the campus of Concordia Univeristy in Irvine, CA: campus map.
If you prefer, guest wifi is available for your laptop (Windows with Excel, of course, or a Mac emulating Windows is required).
We will begin on Thursday, June 23, 2022, at 8:00 AM and follow the schedule below.
Schedule
Costs and Funding
This workshop is made possible by generous support from DePauw University and Concordia University. There is a $65 charge for food and drinks (we will eat lunch together and have snacks during breaks each day). Participants are responsible for all lodging (see below) and transportation costs.
Questions and Registration
Email hbarreto@depauw.edu if you have questions or would like further information about this workshop.
To register, please visit: https://cuiedudonations.abilafundraisingonline.com/excel
Lodging
The Ayres Hotel Costa Mesa, located approximately 5 miles from Concordia University Irvine, has a preferred rate ($129/night) set up with Concordia for this Workshop. Reservations can be made directly at: https://reservations.travelclick.com/12621?hotelID=12621&rateplanid=685452
Additionally, a reduced rate ($15/night) is available for those that would like a bit more collegiate surroundings by staying in the Concordia University Irvine dorms – information will be sent to those that register. This would include June 22 and June 23 for the workshop as well as June 24 and June 25 for those that would like to stay after the Workshop to explore and enjoy Southern California.
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 a wide variety of institutions, ranging from small liberal arts colleges to large public universities, have attended.