Studying Economics: What we Know about Persistence and Active Learning

SESSION DESCRIPTION

Join us for an engaging conversation with Dr. Tisha Emerson as she shares key findings from economic education research on student persistence in economics at the postsecondary level. This session will explore how instructional strategies—particularly active learning approaches such as classroom experiments and cooperative learning—can significantly enhance student achievement and deepen interest in economics.

Designed for both high school and college-level economics educators, this session offers valuable insights into how early classroom experiences shape students’ decisions to continue studying economics beyond high school. Participants will gain practical, research-based strategies to increase engagement, strengthen conceptual understanding, and build a more diverse and sustained pipeline of students pursuing economics.

PRESENTER

Dr. Tisha Emerson is a nationally recognized leader in economic education. She is the Paul Distinguished Professor of Economics and Department Chair in the Economics Department at East Carolina University. Dr. Emerson also currently serves as the Chair of the American Economic Association's Committee on Economic Education.

Dr. Emerson’s research focuses on economic education, with an emphasis on student learning, persistence in the study of economics, and the impact of active learning strategies such as classroom experiments and cooperative learning. Her work has been widely published in leading journals and has informed best practices for both secondary and postsecondary economics instruction.

A sought-after speaker, Dr. Emerson regularly collaborates with educators across the country to translate research into practical classroom strategies. Her work is especially valuable for high school and college instructors seeking to increase student engagement, improve achievement, and inspire more students to pursue economics beyond the introductory level.