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)

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)

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)

Examines research literature and schematic models associated with the expert-novice model in cognitive psychology. Describes a model for rendering expertise in problem solving within economics. Reports that a preliminary study indicates that this model effectively rendered both expert and novice problem solving in economics. (CFR)

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)

Poland's Center for Civic and Economic Education was established to improve teachers' ability to instruct students in civic education in the newly democratized Poland. The Center seeks to improve teacher skills, to gather information on effective teaching methods and curricula, and to pursue other activities to heighten civic education in Polish…

Secondary students who read an economics lesson silently scored significantly higher than students who received an oral presentation of the lesson. A significant interaction between lesson organization and student ability level indicated that highly organized economics lessons increase student learning under certain ability level conditions.…

This article views learning and attitude formation within the context of joint production. Tables show summary statistics and estimated marginal products and rates for each output. These estimates reveal trade-offs within the learning process that differ for men and women. (PB)

Presents the results of a study where researchers noted the correct answers on quizzes, returned the quizzes and allowed students to grade them, and noted discrepancies in the scores. Reveals that cheating is unrelated to gender, religion, or overall grade point average, but positively associated with poor performance in class. (MJP)

Reports on a study of faculty perceptions of critical thinking instruction in 6 disciplines in 39 higher education institutions. Finds that graduate programs in economics teach a different form of problem solving. Recommends that critical thinking skills be given priority in academic programs. (CFR)

Reviews research suggesting poor economic understanding among elementary school students. Presents findings of a study of the economic comprehension of 248 elementary education majors. Reveals that those students share the younger children's unfamiliarity with economics. Argues that improving teachers' economics training will enhance the economic…

Reports on a study of the impact of student evaluations of higher education economics instructors on faculty behavior and grades. Finds that initially grades increased but then declined over a nine-year period. Recommends further research on this issue. (CFR)

Reports on a study of 43 Italian fifth-graders about their understanding of the functions of banks and the role of monetary interest in banking before and after a lesson on banking. Finds that most children could speak correctly about both deposit and loan interest and their relative amounts after the lesson. (CFR)

Discusses the concept of "Giffen goods" as it applies to price theory in economics instruction. Provides a graphic presentation and analysis of Giffen goods and behavior. Includes examples of Giffen behavior that can be used to illustrate the concept. (CFR)

Discusses whether or not the economic concept of the long run is no longer feasible because of computer-assisted manufacturing and other technological advances. Concludes that the terms "long run" and "short run" still serve as logical constructs in formal economic analysis. (CFR)