International Journal of Education and Development using ICT

International Journal of Education and Development using ICT > Vol. 14, No. 1 (2018)

Lessons learned from introducing social media use in undergraduate economics research

Martin John O'Brien, University of Wollongong, Australia
Katarina Freund, Australian National University, Australia

Abstract
The ability for an undergraduate economist to apply analytical skills to economic issues of contemporary relevance is an integral part of their tertiary training. As such, when developing the Bachelor of Economics and Finance at the University of Wollongong (UOW) in Australia we consciously designed our capstone experience to allow students to conduct independent research. However, the research process and associated literacy requirements are often unfamiliar and daunting obstacles for undergraduate students. In order to encourage student engagement and capture essential aspects of the research process we explored the potential for students to exploit their social media communication skills with reflective blogging and peer review. This paper presents the development, challenges and lessons learned from developing a blended model for the teaching and learning of undergraduate economics research at a relatively small regional University.

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