A summary of our EconTEAching seminar on Oct 2nd 2024

This blog was written by Co-Pilot, with some small edits by Cloda Jenkins as Chair of this seminar. The transcript from the Zoom recording was uploaded and the tool was prompted to use the text to write a summary of the discussion. As CTaLE are very resource constrained we find this support from AI tools a useful complement to all we do as humans.

On October 2nd, 2024, the Centre for Teaching and Learning Economics (CTaLE) hosted the first EconTEAching seminar of 2024/25 featuring the winners of the European Economics Association (EEA) Teaching Awards. This event brought together distinguished educators who have made significant contributions to education delivery at this universities and to the economics education community more widely. The seminar was moderated by Cloda Jenkins who was joined by Alvin Birdi, Antonio Cabrales, and Pedro Rey, who play pivotal roles in the EEA. More information about the EEA Teaching Awards can be found on their website. The recording of the seminar can be found on CTaLE’s YouTube channel.

Meet the Award Winners

Patricio Dalton – Senior Category Winner

Patricio Dalton, an Associate Professor at Tilburg University, was honored in the senior category. With 25 years of teaching experience across various institutions and courses, Patricio’s dedication to making complex economic concepts accessible and engaging has left a lasting impact on his students. He currently teaches Development Economics at both the bachelor’s and master’s levels.

Jerome Santoul – Junior Category Winner

Jerome Santoul, a lecturer at Lancaster University, received the Junior award. Jerome’s innovative teaching methods, particularly in game theory, have garnered appreciation from both students and colleagues. His unique approach includes interactive elements like playing games against students to enhance their understanding of complex concepts.

Anmol – Early Career Category Winner

Anmol, a PhD student at the Paris School of Economics, was recognized for his exceptional teaching in econometrics. Despite being in his first year of teaching, Anmol has already made a significant impact by making complex topics understandable and interesting. His narrative-based approach and focus on foundational understanding have been particularly effective.

Matthias Lang and Karen Bernhardt-Walther – Innovation in Teaching Award

Matthias Lang from LMU Munich and Karen Bernhardt-Walther from York University were awarded for their collaborative Virtual Journal Club. This innovative initiative allows undergraduate students from both universities to engage in discussions about economics research, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of the subject.

Key Takeaways from the Seminar

The seminar provided a platform for the award winners to share their teaching philosophies and the innovative methods they employ in their classrooms. Here are some of the key insights:

1. Passion and Relevance: Patricio Dalton emphasized the importance of believing in the relevance of what you teach. His approach involves starting from first principles and developing a deep understanding of economic problems through a Socratic method.
2. Engagement through Innovation: Jerome Santoul highlighted the value of engaging students through innovative methods. His use of interactive games in teaching game theory has proven to be highly effective in maintaining student interest and enhancing learning outcomes.
3. Narrative-Based Teaching: Anmol shared his strategy of using a narrative-based approach to teach econometrics. By creating a broader narrative that ties together various concepts, he helps students see the bigger picture and understand the practical applications of what they are learning.
4. Collaborative Learning: Matthias Lang and Karen Bernhardt-Walther discussed the benefits of their Virtual Journal Club, which provides students with a platform to discuss and critique economic research. This collaborative environment not only enhances learning but also helps students develop critical thinking skills.

Looking Ahead

The seminar concluded with a discussion on the role of innovative teaching methods in shaping the next generation of economists. The award winners expressed their commitment to continuing their efforts to improve teaching practices and inspire their students. They also hoped that the profession, supported by organisations like the EEA, would put increasing weight on the value of education alongside research.

The insights shared during this seminar will undoubtedly inspire educators to explore new ways to engage and motivate their students.