This lesson plan offers students the opportunity to participate in the three basic economic systems (market, command, and tradition). By working in each of the systems, students will internalize the fundamental values present in each system and will gain insights into the basic advantages and disadvantages of each system. The lesson plan provides…

This lesson plan features a classroom simulation that helps students understand a command economic system. The lesson plan states a purpose; gives student educational objectives; suggests a time duration for the activity; lists materials needed; and outlines a step-by-step teaching procedure. Instructions for a research and writing homework…

This economics education publication focuses on the U.S. stock market and the risk and uncertainty that an individual faces when investing in the market. The material explains that risk and uncertainty relate to the same underlying concept randomness. It defines and discusses both concepts and notes that although risk is quantifiable, uncertainty…

Bringing mathematics and economics together to connect them in students' minds gives students very important skills they can use in their lives. This book is intended for high school mathematics teachers, with lessons designed to reinforce the mathematics concepts and processes taught by using examples from economics. The book consists of 15…

Presents ideas regarding the inclusion of economics in the marketing and distributive education (MDE) program at the secondary level. Specifically explains how economics fits into the MDE program, identifies economic concepts relevant to marketing, and discusses available materials and instructional aids. (JOW)

Sketches the origins and growth of consumer education and presents results of a survey to determine priorities for the objectives of consumer education. (SK)

Described is a computer simulation designed to introduce students to some of the intricate relationships between the many factors involved in international economics. (MP)

To aid secondary school and college level economics teachers as they select textbooks for introductory economics courses, this article recounts how teachers can use the Flesch Reading Ease Test to measure readability. Data are presented on application of the Flesch Reading Ease Test to 15 introductory economics textbooks. (Author/DB)

Observes that competition is one of the most important concepts in economics, and that students typically learn a great deal about static competition but very little about dynamic competition. Presents a graphical method for illustrating and contrasting both views of competition. Notes other economic concepts that can be similarly illustrated.…

The authors argue that the textbook treatments of the constant term in regression analysis vary extensively and are often neglectful, incomplete, or even incorrect. Given the potential importance of the constant coefficient in theoretical and applied work, they develop the factors biasing the estimation of the constant term to support the argument…

The authors present an experimental design used to teach concepts in the economics of auctions and implications for e-Business procurement. The experiment is easily administered and can be adapted to many different treatments. The chief innovation is that it does not require the use of a lab or class time. Instead, the design can be implemented on…

The author describes his experience with the process of peer reviews by economists of economics departments. On the bases of roughly 20 reviews of departments in the public and private sectors over two decades, he discusses how the process works and what can be accomplished by it and identifies some pitfalls that should be avoided. He offers…

States that all good economic analysis is structured like classic detective fiction. Explains that the economist's epistemology, when presented in scientific narratives, runs parallel to the puzzle-solving process of mastermind sleuths presented in fictional narratives. Indicates the concept of equilibrium is another important and common…

Economists and historians have struggled for almost 80 years to account for the American Great Depression, which began in 1929 and lasted until the early years of World War II. In this article, the authors discuss three major schools of thought on the causes of the Great Depression and the long failure of the American economy to return to full…

This teacher's manual and student activity book, recommended for use in grades 3 and 4, is designed to teach the basic economic principles, skills, and attitudes all children must learn in order to understand the economic system in which they participate. Lessons and supporting materials have been related to a child's everyday experience, and…