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Opportunity Papers

In order to avoid the negative connotation that tests
carry for students, I developed the idea of Opportunity
Papers. Students like the idea. I explain that we have
no problems to solve in my Economics class—only
situations to resolve. To me, the latter is a more positive
approach to what I hope to accomplish.

The following handout is provided to students on the
first day of class:

SUS TS
Succeeding in Economics

“The quality of a person’s life is in direct proportion
to their commitment to excellence, regardless of their
chosen field of endeavor.” —Vince Lombardi

This course is designed not so much to teach you
economics as it is to teach you about economics, to help
you understand how economics affects your life, to help
you understand how the systems work, and to help you
make financial decisions.

Conduct of the Class

Opportunity Papers (O.P.’s)—Tests we do not have.
But you will regularly be given an Opportunity Paper,
an opportunity to “show off your smarts,” to learn what
you have learned, to see what you necd to learn.

Class Discussion—There are no right or wrong
answers to questions that are asked during class discus-
sions (and there will be many questions). We will have
only some answers that better suit the questions than
others. Join in the class discussions. Contribute to the
success of the group. Ask questions; offer your opin-
ions and ideas. If you do not understand, ask for more
explanation. You have absolute freedom to disagree
with the instructor, to question the instructor's answers
to your questions.

Some Success Strategies
1. Take good notes in class—notes that are useful to
you. For every definition, cite an example that
clarifies the concept.
2. Read your book. Underline or highlight key words
and phrases. (Do not overdo it.)
3. Know how to use the formulas and the definitions.
Merely knowing them will not be enough.

INNOVATION ABSTRACTS

PUBLISHED BY THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR STAFF AND ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT, THE MSR AC) ah ( ty Uae
WITH SUPPORT FROM THE W. K. KELLOGG FOUNDATION AND THE SID W. RICHARDSON FOUNDATION

VOLUME XII, NUMBER 10

4. Answer the questions at the end of each section.
Answer the questions at the end of each chapter.
This step is critical when preparing for an OF.

5. If you find or have an economic matter pertaining to
the material being discussed, or if you have an
economic matter of interest to you and probably to
the class, share it. We will discuss it.

Goal Setting

Put your name and course title and course number
on the index card you received.

Now take a few minutes and think of the final letter
grade (or score) you will commit yourself to achieving
in this course. Complete the card, and turn it in face
down. Only you and | will know what your commit-
ment is. As you enter the world of business, you will
have to set goals and help the business reach goals.
This is a good place to begin.

Competition Between Classes

After each Opportunity Paper, I will write the results
of other classes and the average for the classes, on a
class-by-class basis, on the board. Your challenge will
be to forge ahead, stay ahead, or catch up.

Remember: You can succeed in Economics!

SVE TS

When O.P.’s are returned to students, there is always
a round of applause for those with the highest scores
and for the student(s) who made the most significant
increase in his/her last score.

As well, posting the scores of other classes creates
competition that tends to bring each class closer to-
gether, and students work harder to achieve a common
purpose.

More and more students are taking part in discus-
sions, more are asking questions, more are feeling,
comfortable with the “opportunity,” and more are
joining me in making the entire experience a happy one.
It is a pleasure to have students who can laugh and
enjoy what they are doing. And, they are making real
progress in their work!

H. L. Brockman, Instructor, Economics
For further information, contact the author at Central

Piedmont Community College, P.O. Box 35009, Char-
lotte, NC 28235.

 

ie THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR STAFF AND ORGANIZATIONAL DE VELOPMENT (NISOD) :
Community College Leadership Program, The University of Texas at Austin

EDB 348, Austin, Texas 78712