Visual+Economics

=__**Visual Economics**__=

Creating visual representations of economic concepts and theories often enhances student understanding. A wide variety of free programs and websites are available to use with your class.

Economic Systems
Have students create a visual representation of one economic system. Share with the class and guess what system is represented as a way to check student understanding. Visuals can be done as a PowerPoint slide, Wordle, Prezi or on Gliffy. Students can write a brief explanation of their visual to turn in.



Graphing Supply and Demand
Have students create supply and demand graphs that demonstrate a shift in supply or demand. Use technology to bring a new dimension to this graphing practice. Students can create data and use Excel to make their graphs. Graphs can be created easily in PowerPoint Gliffy or Create a Graph from NCES.

Assign students one determinant affecting supply / demand or a scenario describing a change in supply / demand. Students can graph the change and provide a written explanation. Pre-made scenarios are available in the Macroeconomics Challenges Unit available through the Michigan Collaborative Curriculum Project.

Bring in a current events spin by having students locate current news related to supply and demand and create graphs reflecting the headlines.

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Circular Flow
Assign students products and have them create a circular flow model on a PowerPoint slide. You may also require them to include a brief explanation.



Digital Storytelling Project
Students can work in groups to create a multimedia presentation informing their audience about a relevant and current economic issue. Students will research an economic issue such as immigration, unemployment, stimulus spending, foreclosures, health care or poverty. Students will use their research to create a multimedia presentation that outlines the issues, provides relevant facts, connects to relevant economic theory and persuades the audience to take a position or action.

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 * Why not try a Prezi?**

Websites Referenced
[|Create a Graph from NCES] [|Gliffy Diagramming] [|Michigan Collaborative Curriculum] [|Prezi Presentation Creator] [|Wordle]