Characterizes finance and accounting as a central part of the business curriculum, yet one that eludes student interest. Indicates topics that need to be taught at the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) level in Great Britain. Suggests general teaching strategies giving two specific teaching ideas that have been used by practicing…

Reports the results of a project designed to analyze the employment related needs of students in post secondary education. Describes the questionnaire used as the major instrument for the project. Analyzes the results relative to students and tutors, courses, industries, firms, employers and trade unionists, and makes recommendations. (KO)

Describes some of the problems in writing data response items in economics for use by A Level and General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) students. Examines the experience of two series of workshops on writing items, evaluating them and assessing responses from schools. Offers suggestions for producing packages of data response items as…

Reports on a comparative study of two fifth-grade classes (Louisville, Kentucky) whose members learned economic principles through the establishment of a classroom grocery store. Provides a review of the literature relating to economic education and simulations, discusses the actual classroom instruction, and describes the instrument used to…

Contends that, although most economics students are acquainted with the graphical analysis of the income and substitution effects of a price change, they often fail to appreciate that the same graphs provide information on the income elasticities of the two goods. Illustrates the proof of this concept using mathematical formulae and five graphic…

Maintains that, although U.S. currency today is pure fiat money and not backed by gold or any other precious metal, students frequently ask, "But what about the gold at Fort Knox?" Describes what is really located at Fort Knox, why it is there, its implications for public policy. (CFR)

Asserts that, despite changes resulting from new theories on international trade, simple graphs in the Heckscher-Ohlin-Samuelson tradition remain a significant part of most courses in international economics. Provides four figures illustrating these economic concepts. (CFR)

Presents a graphical analysis of the exhaustible resource depletion problem. Applies Hotelling's "r percent rule" as a new approach that operates in an "N"-period context. Includes two figures illustrating the approach. (CFR)

Suggests ways of increasing the international focus of industrial organization courses. Discusses four areas of international topics that could be integrated into such courses. Includes imperfect markets, trade, and industrial policy; theory of the firm; exchange rates and market behavior; and issues in antitrust. Evaluates the extent and adequacy…

Reviews 21 one-semester economics textbooks using Kenneth E. Boulding's ideas for introductory textbooks. Lists 240 concepts and topic areas in macroeconomics, microeconomics, public policy, and international economics that may be covered in a textbook. (NL)

Presents results of a study of whether simulation leads to improved understanding of economic concepts among fifth grade students. Reports that simulations were used in instructing 300 children in 10 classes in the southeastern United States. Concludes that the use of simulations and role-playing activities increased student performance in…

Argues that rationales for citizenship education in a democracy and findings from empirical research provide persuasive reasons for putting controversial issues at the center of economic education. Summarizes research findings on the development of political interest and efficacy in students. Offers suggestions on how to handle controversial…

Presents results of a study comparing Georgia college students' scores on a test for economic understanding with scores of high school students. Compares scores by university and also by demographic information. Concludes that there is significant advantage in taking economics at the senior grade level in high school. (DK)

Demonstrates how marginal benefit curves can be used in the classroom to illustrate income and substitution effects. Uses tables to explain choices, income effects, and demand curves. Provides explanations for terms and clarifies concepts for teaching methods for traditional subject matter. Explains that this technique allows a rigorous…

Outlines ways that the core skills recommended by the British Secretary of State can be integrated into the economics A/AS level syllabi. Identifies and discusses these skills in the context of curriculum development. Discusses the implications for the first national examination in 1996. (NL)