Productive Economics

Overview

The Economics class has been studying supply this week and engaged in an activity that measured productivity and output. Students were "hired" to work in a Paper Chain factory and given a limited number of resources to create 5 link paper chains during a given time period. After each work session another labor component (student) was added and the process began again. Total output was recorded and marginal output measured during this activity.

Operation

Students joined in the production process of creating Paper Chains by measuring, cutting, folding, and stapling. Feedback was provided regarding division of labor and specialization. This feedback was immediately implemented and the workers performance was measured by counting the total number of Paper Chains created during the work session.

Outcome

The level of student engagement and excitement for this activity was amazing. Students we offering specialization advice, describing ways to implement division of labor, and attempting to increase total output at during each work session. Adding another level of input (student) after each round brought new ideas and fresh thinking to the work process and environment. The culminating aspect of this activity was the competition of two production "plants" fighting not to be shutdown.

This activity allowed students to see the reality of competition in the marketplace, to participate in quality control and manufacturing, and to experience the highs and lows of the workplace environment. I thank all our Paper Chain employees for their hard work.

Check out the Animoto video...