Textbooks and Kognity: resources for a new Economics Curriculum

A new IB Economics curriculum for August 2020 has prompted a flurry of discussion in our office about the new changes; what are the implications of new topics, what do the changes to assessments mean but also more pragmatic questions about resources and textbooks. I will try write a bit more about the curriculum changes …

Perspectives on Development Aid…

There are two, large conflicting opinions on the effectiveness of aid. Many of the aid agencies and some economists claim that aid that is focused and purposeful can be a strategy to lift people out of poverty. Other economists claim that development aid throughout African has been wasted over the past 50 years, and has …

Googling Better – how to search the internet

In IB Diploma Economics, students have to write four commentaries about economic events that are published in the news. Therefore students are always searching the internet for good sources of articles. Google has always been a pretty reliable tool to search for articles but students seldom use the advanced features to refine their search and …

What can be achieved in 45 mins… Google Docs

I am still an avid fan of using Google Doc's to spice up some otherwise boring subject matter in Economics. Today students were thinking about the tools available to governments to correct a budget deficit. The cool part about this part of the course is that students are applying ideas from other parts of the …

Extended Response Writing using Google Docs

The writing of extended responses is an important skill that Economics students need to acquire and develop throughout the two year course. I always try to use collaborative approaches and scaffolds to assist students writing skills. My favourite digital approach for developing these writing skills is to use a collaborative google doc. Traditional Approach - …

An Economics Teacher – using simple IT for lesson planning

Since I have been teaching I have always had a laptop on my desk. I am therefore perhaps one of a rare breed to teachers that are digital natives to teaching. My dad took the first Computer Engineering course available in University in New Zealand so perhaps it is in my blood. I use a …

Teaching ideas – the World Trade Organisation

I usually find teaching students about the World Trade Organization rather tedious, but have recently discovered a few new resources. The learning objectives or pointers from the DP Economics Syllabus are rather simple. What are the aims of the WTO? Explain the successes and failures of the WTO viewed from different perspectives. The aims of …

Dear Russia: You’re Doing It Wrong, Sin Taxes Edition…

Dear Russia: You’re Doing It Wrong, Sin Taxes Edition…. A great article from one of my favourite Economic Blogs. I created a short activity about vodka and taxes in Russia, but this is great extension.

Teaching Trade Blocs and Economic Integration

I find the the topic of economic integration an interesting part of the syllabus. As the world becomes more and more globalised, economies are becoming more integrated. According to the World Trade Organisation, International Trade has grown nearly every year since 1991 with a few exceptions. The most recent data suggests international trade will likely …

Unemployment and flexicurity in Denmark

The Danish people are a notably generous and happy group of people and for many years they have had the most extensive welfare system in the world. Danish citizens pay nearly 50% income tax, which allows its citizens to enjoy a high quality of life, free education, healthcare and lavish unemployment benefits. Since the Global …