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Economics UPDATE
The Monthly Economics Network Email Newsletter
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6th February 2007

Welcome to UPDATE the Economics Network Email Newsletter.  This newsletter
is intended to inform ECON-LTSN subscribers about our activities and to
provide other information that may be of interest. 


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CONTENTS
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1. WHAT'S NEW
	New Case Studies
	Events

2. NOTICEBOARD
	Forthcoming Lecturer Survey
	Student Essay Competition
	Economics in the Arts
	TASI: Using Digital Images in your Teaching and Research


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1. WHAT'S NEW
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NEW CASE STUDIES

A comprehensive guide to Using Blogs in Economics:
http://www.economicsnetwork.ac.uk/showcase/ayres_blogs.htm

Combining Research and Teaching:
http://www.economicsnetwork.ac.uk/showcase/kaplan_research.htm

Research and Classroom Teaching:
http://www.economicsnetwork.ac.uk/showcase/sedgwick_research.htm

Online Projects Using Discussion Boards:
http://www.economicsnetwork.ac.uk/showcase/quinn_blackboard.htm

Coaching Economics
http://www.economicsnetwork.ac.uk/showcase/mcmahon_coaching.htm

Using Problem Based Learning (PBL) to Teach Industrial Economics:
http://www.economicsnetwork.ac.uk/showcase/sedgwick_pbl.htm


EVENTS

Integrating Study Skills into the First Year Curriculum
9th February, University of Ulster Business School, Jordanstown Campus 

Across the HE sector, concerns have been expressed at the lack of study
skills exhibited by new entrants to university, even amongst those students
who would seem best prepared for the university experience. This workshop
will feature case studies of best practice in the integration of study
skills into the first year curriculum and provide an opportunity for
discussion of the key issues. This is a joint Economics Network/BMAF subject
centre workshop. There is no charge for this event. Further information is
available at:
http://www.business.heacademy.ac.uk/events/yr1studyskills


Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) Public Economics Lectures
19th March 2007, Friends House, London

The Institute for Fiscal Studies is holding a day of talks on issues in
public economics of interest to undergraduates in economics and related
disciplines. The aim will be to focus on the policy implications of research
carried out at the institute. A number of IFS alumni will be talking about
applying economics in their careers. Support from the Economic and Social
Research Council will cover travel expenses for those coming from outside
London; these will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. There
will be no charge to attend and light refreshments will be provided:
http://www.ifs.org.uk/events.php?event_id=231


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2.  NOTICEBOARD
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FORTHCOMING LECTURER SURVEY
We are planning to run a short lecturer survey from 14th February to 21st
March 2007. The main objective is to clarify the key teaching and learning
issues in economics; determine whether economics lecturers use our services
and how and what impact it has on their teaching. All participants will be
entered into our prize draw to win one of three handheld pocket PC's.
Further details about the survey and prizes will be available later this month


STUDENT ESSAY COMPETITION
Economics Network is offering students the chance to win £250 by submitting
their thoughts in an essay with the following title: "What advice would you
give to students starting your course?"

This opportunity is open to anyone studying Economics as part of their HE
course. The winner will receive £250 and their essay will be published on
the Economics Network website. The winning essay will also represent
Economics in the UK-wide competition with a top prize of a Toshiba laptop
and all expenses paid trip to attend the presentation at the Academy's
Annual Conference in Harrogate in July. The closing deadline is 16th March.
Further details are available at:
http://www.economicsnetwork.ac.uk/awards/student_essay.htm


ECONOMICS IN THE ARTS
Economics teaching and learning through the arts: the contribution of
literature and cinema.
Do you know of any films or literature, which could usefully be used in the
teaching and learning of economics? Gherardo Girardi of London Metropolitan
University is currently designing a module focusing on this and would
appreciate some help, particularly in locating non-English speaking
literature and cinema. (Email Gherado: [log in to unmask]).


TASI: USING DIGITAL IMAGES IN YOUR TEACHING AND RESEARCH
TASI (The Technical Advisory Service for Images) promotes technical
expertise within the FE/HE community on the use of digital images in
teaching and research by providing training, advice, guidance (a free help
desk service) and support.  A new guide that provides an overview of the
TASI Web site materials is now available at:
http://www.tasi.ac.uk/advice/overview_using.html

The guide includes pointers to documents and resources that will answer
questions such as 'Can I create my own digital images from my own
photographic/slide materials?' and 'Where can I source digital images
suitable as academic resources?'


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CONTACT US
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If you have any suggestions, feedback or comments please contact:
Bhagesh Sachania, Information Officer, Economics Network
Email: [log in to unmask]
Tel.: (0117) 928 7071