An article written by Associate Professor of Economics Ann Owen and Professor of Economics Elizabeth Jensen titled "Social Learning and Course Choice" was published in volume 7, issue 1, 2008 of the International Review of Economics Education (IREE). Owen and Jensen used a broad sample of students to examine the course selection process and to find evidence of social learning from peers.
They found that as the number of times students solve the course selection problem increases, they rely less on social learning and more on their own experience, limiting the potential for herd behavior. Their results provide insight to instructors about the reasons why students may be in their classes and suggest that information about courses and help in evaluating this information is especially important for students early in their college careers. IREE is an international peer-reviewed journal that promotes research into effective learning and teaching in economics in higher education.
They found that as the number of times students solve the course selection problem increases, they rely less on social learning and more on their own experience, limiting the potential for herd behavior. Their results provide insight to instructors about the reasons why students may be in their classes and suggest that information about courses and help in evaluating this information is especially important for students early in their college careers. IREE is an international peer-reviewed journal that promotes research into effective learning and teaching in economics in higher education.
