This syllabus for an "issues" approach to an introductory economic principles course evolved out of three years of experimentation at Oklahoma State University. The syllabus covers 11 important social issues: population growth, agriculture, higher education, crime, pollution, health, poverty, discrimination, unemployment, inflation, and the energy…

Why traditional teaching in economics education persists despite knowledge of learning processes and better approaches is discussed. Other approaches which permit the development of emotional and personal qualities as well as enrich the cognitive dimension are covered. These include brainstorming, role-playing games, and programed and…

Describes the Action Plan to Improve Elementary and Secondary Education Results in New York. Discusses new state standards and expectations; coordinated program for grades seven-12; modular curriculum; accountability system; new courses in technology education, home and career skills, and introduction to occupations; and graduation requirements.…

The authors discuss the role industrial arts and vocational education must play in developing the technological literacy of our youth. This literacy includes understanding technology (production, energy and power, and communication), consumer knowledge of technological products, ability to use microcomputers, and increased comfort with…

Reports on the transformation of higher economic education in Bulgaria as part of the overall change in the society of that country. Describes the slow, painful process of shifting from a command economy to a free market-oriented system. Conservatism and fragmentation have hindered academic reform. (MJP)

Presents the results of a study that ranked the economics departments of 40 elite, liberal arts colleges by number of publications. The findings suggest that at small colleges academic publishing is being given a mantle of importance previously reserved for teaching. Includes statistical tables concerning rankings and publications. (MJP)

Discusses the current reform, both in organizational structure and curriculum development, occurring in Poland's universities. Emphasis is given to the changes in the economics curriculum and the role of Western economists in adopting the new method of teaching in a rapidly changing economic environment. (MJP)

Traces the development of macroeconomic theory from John Maynard Keynes to modern endogenous growth theory. Maintains that a combination of interest in growth theory and related policy questions will play a prominent role in macroeconomics in the future. Recommends narrowing the gap between graduate school and undergraduate economics instruction.…

Reports on the adaptation and replication of Jane Leuthold's experiment concerning consumer choice, investments, and free riding indexes. A similar experiment, conducted in a Ukrainian classroom, produced similar results with a few notable exceptions. The exceptions reflected the Ukrainians' lack of familiarity with western economic thought. (MJP)

Provides an overview, guidelines, and specific suggestions for introducing economic thinking to elementary school children. Utilizes examples from US history (buffalo hunting, cattle farming) to illustrate economic concepts. Includes an appendix that frames economic concepts as mysteries with clues (and answers) provided. (MJP)

Compares academic performance between two groups of students in a statistics course. One group was given homework generated by computer software that provided feedback concerning incorrect answers. The other relied on the textbook without benefit of the feedback. The group using the software performed better on homework and tests. (MJP)

Describes a class experiment where students search a hypothetical job market for jobs paying wages in a known range but with an unknown wage distribution. The experiment is divided into three "trials", each one introducing different variables (unemployment insurance, search costs, and recession). Includes experiment instructions and a…

Replicates an earlier study that used videotapes to examine the types of errors made by novice economics students in graphic analysis of a simple supply-demand problem. Further explores the issue by improving the framework for analyzing errors and documenting some methods used by novice groups to correct errors. (MJP)

Explores the consequences of textbook authors' failure to recognize that producers can acquire the good in which they lack a comparative advantage through either trade or internal production. Examines variations in the construction and graphical depiction of consumption possibility frontiers in principles of economics textbooks. (MJP)

Responds to William Becker, William Green, and Sherwin Rosen's article reviewing research literature on the teaching and learning of high school economics. Asks for greater explication of themes only introduced in their review, for example: sex and race differences in test performance and the role of computers in teaching high school economics.…