Presents several time-effective classroom games that can be used to help students discover the consequences of two important concepts in public finance: the free rider problem and the voting paradox. Maintains that these games encourage student involvement and stimulate class discussion. (DB)

Describes some of the relatively unknown aspects of the concept of public goods and shows how they might be brought into undergraduate textbooks in microeconomic principles, public finance, and welfare economics. Illustrates how these aspects of public goods can be brought into undergraduate instruction. (DB)

The authors examine the relationship between students' locus of control and their evaluation of teaching in a traditional principles of economics course. Locus of control is a psychological construct that identifies an individual's beliefs about the degree of personal control that can be exercised over his or her environment. Students with an…

Make economics resonate to high school students. This practical handbook will help economics and social studies teachers foster critical thinking by introducing students to the real-life dimensions of the major controversies in contemporary economics. Filled with useful teaching tips and user-friendly information on finding engaging materials and…

This packet contains 21 lessons, each providing ideas and teaching activities to accompany a specific story or book to be used to teach economic concepts. The booklet contains practical, classroom-tested lesson plans to use with popular children's stories. The economic concepts used in this curriculum are identified in "Indiana's Social…

Economics education in elementary and secondary schools is essential in order to prepare a responsible citizenry that can cope with economic problems and issues. This ERIC Digest examines: (1) the primary goal of economics education; (2) current economics curriculum patterns; and (3) methods of improving the economics curriculum. The basic…

The suggested assignments in this manual were written to provide the high school economics teacher with ideas for projects and exercises that students might do as homework or as long-term activities. They range from very simple assignments that should take only a few minutes of the student's time, to projects that might require several days or an…

The focus of this guide is to simulate real world economic activity in the classroom by using a form of economics instruction called a " mini-economy." In a mini-economy, students earn play money in a variety of ways and spend it at a class store or class auction. Students apply for classroom jobs, run businesses, pay taxes, buy rental…

There are 14 centers for economic education in the state of California. Films, videocassettes, and curriculum guides developed by the centers for use by economics teachers are described. The addresses of the centers are provided. (RM)

This article identifies some behaviorial approaches for teaching economics at the pre-college level, including contiguity, classical conditioning, operant conditioning, and social learning. The cognitive school of thought is also considered. Implications of research on problem-solving are drawn. (CB)

Study results suggest that student achievement and attitudes toward economics at the college level might be improved by a better match between the teaching style of instructors and the learning style of students. (Author/RM)

The topic of logical reasoning was found to be absent in United Kingdom secondary education economic syllabi and curriculum materials. It is suggested that the inclusion of logical reasoning would be conducive to achieving some of the aims of economics education. Examples of how this topic can be incorporated are provided. (Author/RM)

This study evaluated the use of video production supplements in an upper-level applied microeconomics course. The presentation mode was interactive viewing. With respect to economic understanding, users and nonusers of the videos did about equally well. However, the user group did not exhibit the frequently reported negative attitude toward…

College students enrolled in a microeconomics course enthusiastically responded to the use of interactive video tapes. The tapes varied in length from 5 to 40 minutes and covered all the major topics in the course. The advantages of an interactive video program are discussed. (RM)

"Toxic Waste in Grand Banks" is an assessment task in which students from a high school economics class investigate the issues of economic prosperity, environmental concerns, government intervention in the market economy, and responsible civic participation in solving community problems. Students will demonstrate an ability--both individually and…