The economist Paul Ormerod’s new book is called Positive Linking and explores the growing importance of networks in how we make decisions.  Ormerod was one of the first to write about how social media has changed our ability to make decisions and generate professional support.  For us as teachers of economics and business, one of the great benefits is the ability to share resources, articles, perhaps best personified by Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram.

On Twitter, we have the large groups run by the tutor2u team of @tutor2u and @tutor2uGeoff; on LinkedIn we have both the tutor2u group and a wider international network devoted to teachers of economics.  We also have the Economics and Business Education Association (EBEA) and general support centres such as those run by The Guardian and TES, including for teachers in international schools. UKEdChat is one of the most popular of these nationwide

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Whilst social media presents different challenges for teachers too- with some good advice from the TES here–  the ability for NQTs, BTs and trainee teachers to network with colleagues is invaluable.

At the University of Manchester we also have a strong network of colleagues that help support and contribute to the development of trainee teachers.  With research interests from classroom pedagogy to educational leadership and social justice, many of our staff have an established international reputation. In Economics and Business education we are well represented by Professor Dave Hall and Professor Carlo Raffo.  The PGCE course is informed by their research and that of others into ‘what works’.

We also have a network of experienced mentors who support our trainees in schools and colleges.  At the University, we are always looking for teachers of business and economics to help us evaluate and contribute to our course programme- please drop me an email at Robert.hindle@manchester.ac.uk if you are interested in taking part.

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