Behavioral Economics and Education

Exploring Possible Methods by which Heuristics Could Be Used to Improve the Performance of Students in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IBDP)

Abstract

This research report examines the effect of three heuristics – the sta- tus quo effect, the conformity bias, and the present bias – on the per- formance of IB Diploma Program students, globally. It looks at several previously conducted studies and relates their findings to teaching and learning methods of IBDP teachers and students, respectively. The pa- per considers several, possibly unnoticeable, short-comings of the current education system, explains how heuristics may be employed to improve the formal education system, and proposes feasible and practical policy changes by which heuristics could be used to benefit student learning and performance.