This document discusses using roleplay as an assessment strategy in economics courses. It provides background on introducing the strategy at the Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology in 2009. The roleplay aims to achieve various learning outcomes through having students take on roles within a central bank scenario. Data was collected on student feedback, which found that roleplay effectively met learning outcomes and provided insights into current issues and professional work environments. The conclusion is that roleplay can be an innovative and effective teaching method for economics modules.

1. Marie Finnegan
Using roleplay as an assessment
strategy in economics
11th October 2012
LIN 2012

2. Structure of presentation
• Background
• Aims
• Implications for practice
• Methods used to collect data
• Key findings
• Conclusion

3. Background
• International Money and Central Banking
• Introduced in GMIT in 2009
• 100% Continuous Assessment

5. L
E
A
R
N
I
N
G
O
U
T
C
O
M
E
S

6. Aims of the roleplay:
STUDENT Act in a Creative Confident
ACHIEVEMENT Professionally
Global Employable and in own
What learners can Competent
context Innovative ability
expect to be able
to do
MODULE
Professionally Constantly Personal
What the roleplay Roleplay Lifeskills
Oriented evolving Development
entails
LEARNING Innovation
What and how Discipline
“Real world” Team working through Formal
students will learn focus
action
from rolplay
ACTING Informed Experimental and
Appropriate use
What students can Subject experts by Innovation driven Facilitative
of technology
expect to do in research
roleplay
EXPECTATIONS Willing to
What we expect of Willing to learn Take risks Generate ideas Can reflect
particpate
students in
roleplay

7. Implications for practice

9. Implications for practice: Roles
• Chairman of the BOG
• Members of Board of Governors
• Various Federal Reserve Board presidents
• Manager of System Open Market Account
• Director of Research and Statistics
• Director of Monetary Affairs

10. Roleplay Participants
• Ben Bernanke, Board of Governors, Chairman
• William Dudley, President Federal Reserve Bank of New York, Vice Chairman
• Elizabeth Duke, Board of Governors
• Jeffrey Lacker, President Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond
• Dennis Lockhart, President Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta
• Sandra Pianalto, President Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland
• Jerome Powell, Board of Governors
• Sarah Bloom Raskin, Board of Governors
• Jeremy Stein, Board of Governors
• Daniel Tarullo, Board of Governors
• John Williams, President Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco
• Janet Yellen, Board of Governors
• All vote for policy action
• Simon Potter, Manager, Manager of System Open Market Account
• William English, Director, Director of Monetary Affairs
• David Wilcox, Director, Director of Research and Statistics

11. Reflection Sheet
• What did you think of the overall approach in
the roleplay?
• Name two good things about the approach
adopted in the roleplay:
• Name two bad things the approach adopted in
the roleplay:
• Name three recommendations you would
make:

12. Reflection Sheet

13. Reflection Sheet
• Write some comments which describe how
you feel about this activity:
• How relevant is this to your chosen
programme:
• What do I need to focus on most when
considering how this material relates to my
work or my career?
• How does this material relate to my
organisation (or to an organisation with whom
I am familiar)?

15. Methods used to collect data

16. Key findings
Students found that roleplay:
• Met learning outcomes effectively
• Provided them with a real insight into current
central banking issues
• Encouraged participation due to being marked
individually though group project
• Encouraged active learning
• Supported retention of material
• Provided them with insight into a professional
working environment

17. Conclusion
Roleplay
Innovative and effective teaching and
assessment method that can be
incorporated into economics module in the
IOT sector
Questions?