Monday 9 February 2009

Latte lessons

My Year 12 economics classes are now well into their weekly 'latte lesson'. The concept is simple - each Friday morning is a break from the monotony of the specification and a chance to explore something economic that takes the students' fancy. Oh, and the drinks, biscuits, homemade brownies and chocolate tea cakes the presenter must supply!

The result? Some fantastic research, presentations and discussions so far on the Japanese economy and Zimbabwe. And a couple of inches on my waist line too!

Rex Harrison was spurred on to research Japanese economic performance in the 1990s in order to draw lessons about the current economic downturn and the appropriate policy responses. Rex's explanation of quantitative easing was masterly - who will forget his matchstick bankers? I will make his presentation available on the VLE for everyone to download.
In the meantime, as interest rates in the UK fall to 1%, the likelihood of 'quantitative easing' grows stronger. Year 12 students might be interested in this interactive guide to quantitative easing from the FT as a follow up to Rex's presentation. I think the FT may have borrowed the idea from Rex!

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