Cambridge Assessment is sponsoring the Centre for Education Economics (CFEE) roundtable forum on Insights for education from behavioural economics on Tuesday, 14 November 2017.
Behavioural economics attempts to integrate with traditional economics insights from psychology, neuroscience, and sociology in order to better predict individual outcomes and develop more effective policy. A key element of the theory is that the way choices are framed can effect significant changes in behaviour.
In many areas of policy, application of this insight has led to the development of much more cost-effective interventions than traditional programmes with the same goals. By contrast, education has, until recently, received less attention – which would seem a surprising oversight, given the field’s interest in long-run decision-making, challenges associated with information asymmetries, and the propensity of youth to make poor long-run decisions.
Advances have, however, been made via experiments seeking to offer immediate benefits (extrinsic incentives) to support rewards that are inherent to learning; interventions with parents and pupils to reduce the impact of typical negative default behaviours; and interventions that strengthen positive self-concepts.
At this roundtable, Dr Raj Chande, Principal Adviser, Education and Skills, The Behavioural Insights Team, will explain the science of behavioural economics and offers examples and promising ideas of its application to education.
This event is exclusive to CFEE members only. If you would like to join the forum and be involved with CFEE’s initiatives, contact James Croft, Executive Director on jcroft@cmre.org.uk.
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