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The Center for Student Success is the research and evaluation arm of the Research & Planning Group. CSS seeks to:

  • enable researchers, practitioners, and policy-makers to identify educational strategies and exemplary practices that promote the success of California community college students

 

  • provide California community colleges with professional research and evaluation expertise to support the adoption of strategies and practices applicable to real time situations at the college level

 

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Evaluating the Use of Interactive Mapping in Macroeconomic Courses

DESCRIPTION

During Fall 2006, research was conducted on students in three Principles of 
Macroeconomics courses to analyze the effectiveness of using GIS as a method 
of applying economic concepts to real-world situations. This study notes the 
importance of developing effective combinations of homework and class 
discussion, as well as the optimal geographic range (one or two regions vs. the 
entire world).

RESOURCES FOR DOWNLOAD

CONTACT

Name
Becca Arnold
Title
Assistant Professor, Economics
Organization
San Diego Mesa College
Email
barnold@sdccd.edu 

EVIDENCE OF IMPACT/SUCCESS

The effectiveness of using GIS was evaluated both objectively (using test results) 
and subjectively (using a student survey).  In self-administered surveys, students 
gave generally positive ratings to the “helpfulness” of GIS in learning economics.  
Student performance on traditional Principles of Macroeconomics content was not 
affected by the extra time devoted to GIS.

TARGET STUDENTS

  • In Selected Courses