A student learning inventory for economic based on the students' experience of learning: A preliminary study

The authors present the initial development of a student learning inventory (SLI) that is specific to economics. This approach, which is based on the student experience of learning (SEL) literature, emphasizes aspects of prio r knowledge in the learning history of entering first-year students. Prelim inary insights from a first SLI suggest that on entry to university, studen ts show considerable variation in their perceptions of what economics is an d what economists do. From the SEL perspective, such variation affects stud ent learning. It is argued that continued development of an economic-specif ic SLI may result in a better understanding of students' learning engagemen t with economics and ultimately assist instructors in better understanding student learning difficulties and increase student success in first-year ec onomics.