See Like an Economist: Photo Assignments in Economics Courses

Abstract

This paper explains the design and purpose of a photo assignment for economics courses. To make vital connections between their own world or lived experience and economic theory, students take pictures in familiar surroundings and explain them through concepts learned in economics courses. The students choose the subject of their photographs and process information from their familiar world through economic theory, communicating their ideas both visually and in writing. The goal of the assignment is to develop long-lasting skills and to ensure that each student is given a creative outlet, which is often not present in our quantitative assignments. The paper discusses the design of effective assignment instructions and selected student work is used to illustrate the benefits of using the photo assignment as a learning tool to enhance student understanding of economic concepts and theories