Geoff Riley discusses using various digital tools in teaching economics, including Dropbox for file sharing, Reuters EcoWin for real-time economic data, and Moodle as his virtual learning environment of choice. He outlines how he uses tools like Wordle, data visualization sites, Google Apps, Twitter, YouTube, screen capture software, and RSS feeds in his daily teaching toolbox. Riley also provides examples of how he structures content and activities in Moodle, including glossaries, blogs, forums, and online quizzes. He aims to further develop the interactive elements in his VLE and encourage more student collaboration using digital tools going forward.

1. Reflections on using ICT in teaching EconomicsTalk to the Trinity GroupGeoff RileyEton College2nd July 2010

2. Which business has these locations in this area?

3. Which business has locations here?

4. Digital tools in Economics TeachingA selected guide

5. Drop Box for file sharing (superb)Reuters EcoWin (for real time economics data charts)Expression Engine (for blogs)Wordle.net (for word clouds)Data Visualisation sites (FT, WSJ, World Bank)Google Wave, Google Docs and other Google AppsTwitter (incredibly useful!)You Tube – great for embedding resources!Snag It (brilliant screen capture) or Zing (for the Mac)RSS feeds (for streaming news stories)Moodle (for a great open-source VLE)My day to day digital toolbox

6. Drop BoxSuperb for online back up and file sync

7. Eco WinReal time macroeconomic and financial data

8. Paste-Linked to PowerPointAutomatically updates charts in my main teaching presentations

9. Wordle.net for word cloudsWord clouds can be very effective for student input and engagement

10. Data VisualisationThese sites (inc the one from the FT above) are likely to become ever more popular and effective in the months ahead

11. The potential of Google Wave?Now available to all with an email address – real time collaboration

12. A wave on the fishing crisis

13. Joining the Twitterattzi

14. A selection of twitter feeds

15. Podcasts for Economics

16. TED talks – inspirational material

17. RSA animate – a wonderful idea!

18. Moodle – My E-Learning System of Choice

19. The Tutor2u Economics VLE

20. Building a more Interactive VLE for Economics – Some Ideas to Try

21. AS Macro Course – Home Page

22. Assignments and online grading

23. Organised by topic

24. Online quizzes (very popular!)

25. Subject GlossariesCourse-wide glossariesTopic-based glossariesFreedom for students to generate their own entries and link them to other web contentAnd rate those of others (peer assessment)Give students responsibility for a topic / area?Auto-linking entries means that glossary terms appear throughout the Moodle courseGlossary can embed other digital content such as You Tube videos

26. An example from the AS Micro Glossary

27. Include links to blog articles

28. Auto links glossary to fresh content

29. Linking content to keep a glossary fresh!

30. Student-generated glossariesGive the students a topicE.g. Monopolistic marketsThe global recessionGenerate a cluster of concepts for researchAllocate or get students to chooseResearched and written in text formatEncourage them to support with examplesAnd link to other resourcesIdeal for revision – print out as a booklet

31. Example – behavioural economics

32. Each student contributed two items – duplication allowed

35. Encouraging Students to Blog!Encouraging a different style of writingHelps to build a narrative / apply new concepts“This week your blog should be on a market of your choice”Builds some web skillsTagging of blog entriesLinking to articles on the webReflections on the learning experienceEffective for students on a new courseThe challenge is to sustain it over a course!This is one of my big targets for 2010-11

36. Within the VLE students can read the blogs of other people in their groups

38. Forums are a great way of getting students to use Moodle

39. Another example – from AS macro

40. Developing the forum conceptGreat opportunities here for extension and enrichment activitiesReading “by stealth” ! Real potential for improving data response technique e.g. Responses to charts / tablesEmbedding video or podcasts into a forum question and asking students to reflect on what they seeStudent comments on forum posts of their peersMoodle has a range of different forum options

41. A Year with MoodleBuilding content and community is keyAims for 2010-11Embed more audio visual into the VLESet different types of assignments using blogs and forums and other optionsDevelop new styles of online quizzesEncourage student collaboration e.g. embedding Google Wave into MoodleEncourage colleagues to try it!And utilize a VLE to stretch gifted & talented

42. Trying more challenging activities

43. Looking aheadA Martini web - delivering fresh learning content through ubiquitous mobile devices – anytime anywhereStudents encouraged to be non-linear in their approach to schoolroom work Proper macroeconomic and micro simulation gamesA new generation of “no-fear teachers” with their ICTGenuine and sustained collaboration through digital tools by students and by teachersWebinar software to become standardLinking social networks to teaching & learning softwareFace to face interaction more not less importantNo diminution in the power and importance of good classroom teaching!

44. Please contact meVLE is at http://vle.tutor2u.netEmail: geoff@tutor2u.netTwitter: www.twitter.com/tutor2u_econ