Enrollment: 25 (Spring 2020, 31)

As the intermediate microeconomics course is a core course for both majors, students in the course are either economic majors or business majors. The course is characterized by a heavy reliance on calculus. The assignments are mainly problem-based. In the past, due to its emphasis on mathematics, students have found the course challenging. The challenging nature of the course makes it important that students have opportunities to (1) constantly go from simple to complex problem-solving activities and (2) work together in teams, with me as their guide.

The plan is to move all content delivery online, this is the online backbone of the course. Course material has three distinct components: (1) textbook readings, (2) online learning platform provided by publisher, and (3) instructional videos created by me. There will be a scheduled virtual office hour each week (Fridays before all assignments are due).

Weekly assessment activities:

1. Answer a reflection question based on chapter readings. (CHECK MARK BY ME)
2. Complete the publisher’s online learning activities. (GRADED BY COMPUTER)
3. Complete content quiz after each instructional video. (GRADED BY COMPUTER)
4. Hand in team assignment. (CHECK MARK BY ME)
5. Solve individual problems, scan and upload. (GRADED BY ME)

Activities 1, 2, and 3 are completed online and due before Team meetings. Activity 5 is completed online and due Friday. Activity 4 is completed either F2F or during synchronous Teams meeting. If forced to move to an online only model, then all students will meet with me once a week over a synchronous Teams meeting. Depending on assigned classroom space and student preferences, I might have to rotate students between F2F meetings and synchronous Teams meetings.

ECON305 Intermediate Microeconomics FA2020: Typical Weekly Workload

Saturday/Sunday

• All content is posted.
• The online learning platform activities will open on Saturday.
• The instructional videos, accompanying quizzes, and textbook reflection question will be posted on Sunday.

Monday

No class meeting, students are expected to work on online learning platform activities and watch instructional videos (take quizzes). I will send students an announcement (text/video) that outlines the week’s activities and responsibilities.

Wednesday

Meet Team A (no more than 10 students)

• I will solve a representative problem while briefly discussing the topic for the week.
• Break students into two smaller groups, each group solves two to three practice problems. I circulate and answer questions as needed.
• I check off the problems and we discuss what we learned.

Thursday

Meet Team B online using Microsoft Teams

• I will solve a representative problem while briefly discussing the topic for the week. I will share my screen so that students can see a whiteboard app.
• Break students into smaller groups (aim for 3) and assign them a separate channel (breakout group). Each group solves two to three problems together, I circulate by joining their respective channels.
• I check off the problems (they can share their screens or scan and upload one answer).
• We reassemble and discuss what we learned.

Friday

Meet Team C (no more than 10 students)

• I will solve a representative problem while briefly discussing the topic for the week.
• Break students into two smaller groups, each group solves two to three practice problems. I circulate and answer questions as needed.
• I check off the problems and we discuss what we learned.