‘Textbooks state theory whereas cartoons explain the theory through a story. The story is more likely to stick in students’ heads whereas memorizing the theory from textbooks might be forgotten easily. The use of cartoons enhances students’ learning experience, fosters understanding, and boosts their attention and participation’ (Garner, 2005 and Ugur et al., 2012)
Erkan Demirbas (project lead) invited students and academics from the Lincoln International Business School to develop stories to help students understand complex ideas and two students from BA (Hons) Animation & Visual Effects programme creatively brought the them to life. This interdisciplinary, collaborative and co-produced project was facilitated by the College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities Teaching & Learning Innovation Fund 2023/24 and resulted in the creation of seven cartoons and one animation.
The project was shared with a wider audience through an article on the Economics Network.
Derimbas said “The cartoons significantly helped me with the delivery of my classes. For instance, I developed a story called ‘The Spare Tyre’, which aims to explain the interaction between the components of the balance of payments in economics. To illustrate this, I used an analogy involving a driver who experienced a flat tyre on a motorway. This example received a high appreciation rating of 4.4 from 17 student respondents.”
Student feedback was equally positive:
- “It helps because everyone can relate to the problem of a flat tyre. It shows the escalation of problems with the BoP deficit well.”
- “It’s relatable and can be remembered.”
- “It helps me to under the concept of current and financial accounts.”
