The Economics Network

Improving economics teaching and learning for over 20 years

Join INERME to stay in touch with the network and hear about future events.

INERME workshop: Mathematics in the transition to university

Online, Wednesday 16 October 2024

Programme and materials

A Refresher Maths for Economics pre-sessional course at Warwick (Slides PDF)
Emil Kostadinov

  • (brief) motivation for developing a transition maths for economics course at Warwick.
  • brief overview of the resources.
  • discussion of the use of Numbas quizzes.

Transitioning to University: Teaching Statistics to Economics Students (Slides PDF)
Pascal Stiefenhofer

Shiny apps, leveraging interactive learning pedagogy, can play a crucial role in supporting students transitioning to university, especially those struggling with mathematics anxiety. These apps provide dynamic, user-friendly platforms that allow students to engage with statistical concepts through hands-on, visual, and interactive activities. By offering personalized feedback and real-time problem-solving tools, Shiny apps help demystify abstract statistical ideas, making them more accessible and less intimidating. This approach fosters a supportive learning environment, encouraging students to build confidence in their math skills and easing the anxiety often associated with the subject during the transition to higher education.

Bridging the gap: A mathematics intervention to enhance inclusivity and success in university economics - The case of the University of Agder in Norway (Slides PDF)
Ida Landgärds-Tarvoll

At the University of Agder in Norway, we addressed the high failure and dropout rates in 2018. We rescheduled the service mathematics course for economics students to the second semester and introduced a new pre-course intervention. This intervention included a diagnostic test and a bridging course to better prepare students. We utilised NUMBAS to develop the test and provide "training fields" for our students. This approach has been successful in encouraging students to take responsibility for their own learning. Through this project, we have enhanced inclusivity for all students pursuing economics studies.

If you are interested in this project, please do not hesitate to contact me (Ida.landgards at uia.no). Also, you can find relevant links to research conducted with this intervention in the Powerpoint presentation.

INERME workshop: Assessing mathematics in economics courses

Online, Wednesday 19 June, 12pm-1pm GMT / 1pm-2pm CET

This session addressed how we assess mathematics in economics courses. Presenters shared innovative ideas and insights on challenges and what works well for students’ learning.

Programme and materials

Case Study of STACK assessments in Maths for Economists (Slides PDF)

Lisa Feiste (University of Kassel) and Raphael Mueller (University of Paderborn)

Computer-aided assessment at J-BJI (Slides PDF)

Robert Leek (University of Birmingham)

Tactical vs strategic maths skills (Slides .pptx)

Aleksandar Vasilev (Lincoln International Business School)

  • Case study based on this talk
  • students' incentives - the majority want to get a high pass with minimum studying. Idea of: pass, forget, and move to the next module
  • exam time allows assessors to give short problems - straightforward application of formulae ("cramming")
  • things change in Y2 and Y3 - when theory is taught with maths, and students need a "deep understanding" of the symbols and procedures (using maths as engineers)