Making Economics Stick with Econ Beats

Abstract

Economic educators interested in incorporating project-based learning can incorporate Econ Beats in their classrooms. Using student reported measures of learning we evaluate students’ perception of the efficacy of Econ Beats, a project that requires students to remake popular music into economic terms. The project is also a team-based learning exercise. Our data includes 275 students at the college level and 90 students at the high school level. Students report that they are excited to work on Econ Beats at rates higher than other group projects. Students report that they enjoyed the project and learned economic concepts and definitions. Educators considering active learning or incorporating a transdisciplinary approach to teaching economics can implement Econ Beats.