Describes an economics class experiment where students ranked the quality of baked pies according to limited information. The limited sets of information included brand name and packaging only, price only, advertising only, word-of-mouth, and taste test. Discusses signals of quality and consumer decisions. (MJP)

Asserts that elementary students should learn economics to prepare for their adult roles as consumers, producers, and voters. Discusses the "Voluntary National Content Standards in Economics" that consist of 20 standards and the respective benchmarks that describe the concepts students need to know by the end of grades 4, 8, and 12. (CMK)

Provides a lesson that integrates economics, mathematics, history, and language arts through a common interest of all elementary students: candy. Explains that the students managed and shopped at three classroom candy stores while learning economics concepts, such as supply and demand and the relationship of price to buying decisions. (CMK)

Assesses the effectiveness of supplementary Web-based materials and activities in traditional introductory college economics courses. Results suggest that faculty should focus more on developing self-test quizzes and effective bulletin board discussion projects as opposed to generating online content related to text or lecture notes. (Author/LRW)

The purpose of this experimental study was to test the role of image and animation on: a) learners' perceptions of pedagogical agent persona characteristics (i.e., extent to which agent was person-like, engaging, credible, and instructor-like); b) agent value; and c) performance. The primary analysis consisted of two contrast comparisons: 1)…

This issue examines the trend of citizenship education in the public schools. Four basic approaches are described. The content approach is based on the belief that knowledge gained from certain courses will aid students in rational decision making and in being responsible citizens. It emphasizes law-related education, political science, and…

An attorney for the plaintiffs in the "Smith vs. Board of School Commissioners of Mobile County, Alabama" case recounts his impressions of the trial, focusing on the nature of the press coverage. (NKA)

The authors recommend four directions for secondary home economics programs: coordinating work and family, management of resources, technology, and application of academic skills. Suggestions for teachers are discussed concerning access, employability skills, community agencies, Future Homemakers of America, and evaluation of student achievement.…

A study was conducted to identify the essential living skills of males and females in the major roles of family member, individual, and employed person. Skills identified as most important dealt with finance, housing, clothing, feeding, transportation, physical aspects, social activites, and interaction of family members. (CT)

Networking technologies offer a better learning environment for college students while allowing cost reductions. Advances in networking can alter limitations of time and space, allowing learning in the same time/same space (traditional class meetings), same time/different place, different time/same place, and different time/different place.…

Presents a framework for including the optimal level of national saving and its disposition between investment in the domestic capital stock and the accumulation of overseas assets, in intermediate macroeconomics teaching. Uses the IS-LM model to enhance students' comprehension of the issues involved in the optimal level of saving. (MJP)

Presents the results of a study that reveals that the determinants of habitual cheating are much the same as those that relate to having cheated at least once (versus never having cheated). Suggests that habitual cheating is related inversely to grade point average but related positively to having seen others cheat. (MJP)

Describes an exercise where students play the roles of various ministers advising the president in the resolution of macroeconomic problems that arise with a natural resource boon. Provides a framework for role playing that has applications beyond this issue. Includes results of students' evaluation of the exercise. (MJP)

Criticizes the standard presentation, in introductory economics, of the burden of a tax as an application of elasticity. Argues that using the slopes of a supply and demand curve is the simplest and easiest way to clarify tax incidence. Includes three graphs illustrating this approach. (MJP)

Briefly reviews the declining enrollment rates for undergraduate economics majors. Observes that after record enrollments during the 1980s, interest in a bachelor's economics degree dropped sharply in the 1990s. Discusses possible reasons for this decline and provides statistics. (MJP)