Reacts to criticisms of the mainstream approach to economics. Claims alternative approaches produce no workable analytic mechanisms. Emphasizes that there is no magic formula for teaching economics. Advocates offering teachers a choice of curricula and allowing adaptation and individualization of material. Points out types of core material to be…

Suggests ways of increasing the international focus of industrial organization courses. Discusses four areas of international topics that could be integrated into such courses. Includes imperfect markets, trade, and industrial policy; theory of the firm; exchange rates and market behavior; and issues in antitrust. Evaluates the extent and adequacy…

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)

Argues for a unified consideration of how markets fail based on how an efficiency rule (marginal benefits to society equal or exceed marginal costs to society) is violated. States that repetition of the efficiency decision rule framework reinforces basic concepts and emphasizes the normative foundation underlying the analysis of market failure.…

Describes the Economagic Web site, a comprehensive site of free economic time-series data that can be used for research and instruction. Explains that it contains 100,000+ economic data series from sources such as the Federal Reserve Banking System, the Census Bureau, and the Department of Commerce. (CMK)

Compares the U.S. and British methods of teaching economics to undergraduate students. Examines the course objectives, the syllabi, the hiring and training of staff, the teaching system, and assessment and monitoring systems. Concludes that the British curriculum focuses on a narrower range of subjects. (GG)

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)

Describes a method for organizing the subject matter associated with the history of economic thought. The conceptual matrix is an organizer and visual display that cross references normative and economic issues with their historical context. Maintains that the matrix promotes critical thinking and allows students to focus on the issues. (MJP)

Describes a classroom experiment that demonstrates under what conditions the parallel market rate approximates the free-market value of the domestic currency. Students act as foreign exchange traders in a developing country. Provides results of the experiment and discussion questions. (CMK)

Introduces the Online section in the "Journal of Economic Education" that identifies exemplary interactive material for teaching and learning economics. Describes the selections for the section in this issue of the journal and states that the featured Web sites illustrate important direction for teaching using hypermedia and…

Describes the Web site Resources for Economists on the Internet (RFE) that is sponsored by the American Economic Association under the Journal of Economic Literature. States that RFE focuses on the needs of academic economists. Explains that RFE includes over 900 Internet resources and discusses the "Teaching Resources" section. (CMK)

Discusses an electronic textbook called "Essential Principles of Economics." Explains that economic concepts are found by following links from the table of contents, while each chapter includes both expository information and interactive material including online multiple-choice drill questions. States that the textbook is a "work…

Describes and evaluates a package of measures designed to introduce a collaborative problem-solving (CPS) approach to learning tutorials of a second-year university macroeconomics subject. Presents findings related to the influence of CPS on tutors' teaching experiences, students' attitudes attendance and hours of study, and academic achievement.…

Describes a teaching strategy called the inverted classroom that enables instructors of introductory economics courses to address students' different learning styles within the time constraints of the class. Explains that in the inverted classroom the events that traditionally take place during class time now take place outside the classroom and…

Describes a simulation exercise called "The Summit of the Americas" that enables students to apply economic concepts. Discusses the four segments of the simulation: (1) pre-negotiation phase; (2) negotiation phase; (3) the debriefing phase; and (4) an economic impact report. Addresses the issues involved when incorporating the simulation into a…