One size doesn’t fit all: A project designing small-scale economic development projects

Abstract

The authors describe an innovative active learning strategy for a course on the economics of developing countries—a project designing a small-scale economic development project. Student teams research issues faced by developing countries and identify a specific problem in a specific locale. Students then create a detailed, feasible plan to alleviate the problem. Student plans include five key components: justification, implementation, budget, funding and evaluation. After having implemented this project for six years, the authors believe it has the potential to enhance learning and improve analytical, creative problem-solving and research skills. Results from a spring 2017 survey, where students respond favorably to the project, are discussed.

Keywords:

• active learning
• development economics
• economic education
• teaching economics

JEL CODES:

• A10
• A22
• O12

Acknowlegments

The authors thank James Bernard and Jaishankar Raman for sharing their assignments and insights.