Make Zoom Classes Less Awkward

A new book on online teaching

In March 2020, I was in a remote town in Oman when the global COVID-19 pandemic precipitated an unprecedented shutdown of normal activities worldwide. This seismic shift in our collective experience created challenges and opportunities, particularly in education. While not a novel concept, the rapid transition to online learning became a universal imperative virtually overnight.

In the years that followed, the academic community has gained significant insights into the nuances of online education. Recognizing the need for a comprehensive resource, my colleagues Parama Chaudhury, Brandon Sheridan, and I embarked on a collaborative project to compile and curate best practices for online instruction in economics. Our goal was to create a definitive guide that would serve both novice and experienced educators in navigating the virtual teaching landscape.

After several years of rigorous research, writing, and editing, I am pleased to announce the culmination of our efforts. Our book, "Teaching Economics Online," is now available. It thoroughly examines effective online instructional methodologies specifically tailored to economics. This work represents a significant contribution to the pedagogical literature and aims to enhance the quality of online economics education across institutions.

I am grateful to all the authors who participated and hope you find it helpful.

I dedicate this book to the students enrolled in my Principles of Macroeconomics course in the Fall of 2020. We learned a lot together.

What the Experts Say

‘Elevate your online teaching with this comprehensive guide tailored specifically for economic educators. Written by a team of experienced experts, the book offers innovative and cutting-edge strategies for boosting interaction, engagement, and inclusion in virtual classrooms. Whether you''re new to teaching or a seasoned veteran, this manual is your essential companion for mastering the art of online instruction.’– Gail A. Hoyt, University of Kentucky, US

‘University teachers of economics need research-based, practical advice on how to betterdeliver blended courses and to get on top of the challenges and opportunities provided byLLMs. This collection is spot-on. The authenticity of the classroom experience of the writers makes the essays compelling reading.’ – Wendy Carlin, University College London, UK

‘Teaching Economics Online is the best single source for instructors seeking guidance for online and hybrid teaching. In fact, all instructors, whether teaching online or face-to-face, will benefit from the book’s practical advice. Each chapter is rooted in learning science evidence, offering insights on assessment, equity, pedagogies, AI, and more.’– Mark Maier, Professor Economics Emeritus, Glendale Community College, US

Table of Content

PART I EFFECTIVE LEARNING IN AN ONLINE CLASSROOM

1. What does the literature say about learning online? Flower Darby

2. Making learning stick in online education- Michael Enz

3. Revolutionizing teaching economics online with AI: leveraging LLMs for enhanced communication, creativity, and efficiency in education- Simon D. Halliday and James E. Tierney

4. Accessibility, inclusivity, and diversity in teaching economics online- Fabio R. Aricò and Paul D. Cowell

PART II CREATING AN ADAPTABLE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT

1. Using an online multimedia group project to introduce students to economics and their learning community- Parama Chaudhury and Cloda Jenkins

2. Moving metrics online: challenges, solutions, and practical advice-Alice Louise Kassens

3. Liberal arts education and the online context- Rebecca L. Moryl

4. Fostering inclusive excellence: designing effective assessments for online education-Stefania Paredes Fuentes

PART III COLLABORATIVE LEARNING IN AN ONLINE CLASSROOM

1. Experiments for teaching economics-Humberto Llavador

2. Teaching economics online using cases- Cloda Jenkins

3. Teaching Online with Team-Based Learning- Phil Ruder

PART IV EXTRA- AND CO-CURRICULAR LEARNING ONLINE

1. A blended format for student conferences: the Explore
   Econ case study- Ramin Nassehi

2. The Econ Games: building a virtual co-curricular conference to create community and connect students- Abdullah Al-Bahrani, Darshak Patel, Daria Sevastianova and Brandon J. Sheridan

3. Teaching economics to professional learners online- Parama Chaudhury and Cloda Jenkins