Presents a simple classroom simulation of the Lucas supply curve mechanism with rational expectations. Concludes that the exercise has proved very useful as an introduction to the concepts of rational and adaptive expectations, the Lucas supply curve, the natural rate hypothesis, and random supply shocks. (DB)

Contends that the standard description of the relationship between the long-run marginal cost curve and the short-run marginal cost curve is often misleading and imprecise. Asserts that a sampling of college-level textbooks confirms this confusion. Provides a definition and instructional strategy that can be used to promote student understanding…

Reports on a study of economic knowledge and attitudes of 873 upper secondary school, Chinese students. Finds that Chinese students performed better than northern California students on the Test of Economic Literacy. Concludes that the relatively high level of economic knowledge and the impact of Western economic ideas will encourage further…

The author presents a computer game that puts the player in the role of a central bank governor. The game is a stochastic simulation of a standard reduced form macro model, and the user interacts with this simulation by manipulating the interest rate. The problem the player faces is in many ways quite realistic--just as a real monetary authority,…

How much time do academic economists allocate to teaching, research, and service, and how much time do their departments want them to allocate to these pursuits? As a result of the decline in economics majors in the early 1990s, was there a change in the reward system and time allocation of academic economists toward teaching? In this study, the…

This document consists of two booklets, one for teachers and one for students. These booklets are part of the Elementary School Program of Junior Achievement, Inc. where students learn about their roles as individuals, workers, and consumers. The booklets are designed to provide practical information about businesses and the many occupations found…

This document consists of two booklets, one for teachers and one for students. These booklets are part of the Elementary School Program of Junior Achievement, Inc. where students learn about their roles as individuals, workers, and consumers. The booklets are designed to provide practical information about people, businesses, and services in a…

One of a series of high school level units on business issues, this packet introduces students to a new type of business advertising, "issue ads." This non-product advertising allows a corporation or business organization to express its viewpoint directly to the public. Because this is a complex issue, the unit is recommended for…

Economics teachers at the secondary and postsecondary level are provided with an overview and general recommendations for effective use of games and simulations. Material is divided into two sections. In section 1, a description of card games, board games, activities, and puzzles is followed by a discussion of the advantages of each of these types…

This curriculum guide emphasizes that economics is a method of thought or analysis and highlights the teaching of macroeconomic concepts. Definitions of economics, economic actions and their results, individual and group relationships, and supply and demand principles are reviewed. Macroeconomic concepts that are introduced include: (1) economic…

These two lesson plans deal with the historical role of government in resisting and/or protecting the activities of organized labor and the goals and methods of both management and labor. They are multiclass activities and may be used alone or together. The first lesson plan provides materials for a trial to be conducted by the students. The topic…

A model that can be used to teach secondary students about economic disparity and its effect on the total economic welfare of the country is presented. The model has three phases. In the first phase of curriculum planning, students' needs are determined, goals and objectives are set, and content is selected. The second phase concerns teaching…

This booklet contains a listing of free and inexpensive (below $20.00) materials that can be used for teaching economics in grades K-12. The items are divided for grades K-6 and 7-12, and the name of the item, the description, the cost, and the producer's name and address are provided. The various available materials include supplementary reading…

A study of over 3,000 U.S. high school students who took the Test of Economic Literacy (TEL) in 1986 reveals a lack of basic understanding in the four basic TEL concept clusters of fundamental economics, microeconomics, macroeconomics, and international economics. The TEL was administered pre- and posttest where students were enrolled in one of…

Three aspects to be considered when teaching a one-semester beginning economics statistics course are coverage, mastery, and applications. There is a difference between coverage and mastery. Moreover, mastery is not an end in itself; instructors must consider how statistics courses will influence students' approaches to other subjects and…