Using readings beyond the textbook: A survey

ABSTRACT

Incorporating readings beyond the textbook is one way to broaden economic content across all courses. While previous studies document the extent to which narrowly defined categories (press readings, scholarly articles) are used, none to date provide details as to how such readings are incorporated. This study was intended to document use in greater detail than previously published and identify example uses that were innovative.

KEYWORDS:

• Classroom reading assignments
• economic education
• pedagogy, textbooks
• readings

JEL CODE:

• A2

Notes

1 We use the terms readings beyond the textbook and outside readings interchangeably in this article.

2 IRB exemption status was obtained from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln (IRB #: 20200420288EX).

3 Technically, online discussion boards are written content, but we treat them as an online version of a discussion.