A 2-phase project in which fifth grade students create their own country is described. The project offers a strategy for teaching a comprehensive, interdisciplinary unit on economics. In the first phase, students and teacher create an imaginary country. Separate sections outline the teaching procedure involved in this phase: locating the country;…

This survey of economics graduates at the FernUniversitat found that relatively few students who enroll in the program pass the final exam. Full-time students have better graduation rates than part-time students, although the FernUniversitat considers the latter as its main target group. Full-time students on the average require the same number of…

A research study designed to measure understanding of economic terms among 13- and 14-year olds is summarized. For purposes of the study, two tests were constructed: a 10-item questionnaire focusing on definitions of words such as banking, production, costs, money, and wealth, and a compilation of drawings and photographs developed to reflect…

One of a series of teaching units designed to introduce secondary school students to the Canadian economy, this handbook contains activities on the economic status and roles of Canadian women. The first of 4 sections presents a profile of male and female occupations. Section 2 contains statistics on females in the Canadian labor force. Section 3,…

The development, testing, and modification of an instrument to measure attitude change toward economic issues among economics students is described in this paper. It was initially hypothesized that a continuum of attitudes to economic issues existed, ranging from extreme interventionist ideas at one end to extreme laisez-faire at the other end,…

Written for secondary school Canadian students, the document examines Canada's international trade policy. It is arranged in three sections. Part I discusses the affect of Canada's trade policy on the individual citizen. Tariffs and non-tariff barriers to trade such as import licenses, preferential purchasing agreements, health and safety…

Examines how an economic concept changed when 68 third-grade Italian children underwent different kinds of experiences simulated by means of tutorial and critical training. (HOD)

Differences between British and U.S. economic education with respect to both the rigor of the precollege curriculum and the training of teachers are discussed. The principal difference is that the typical American secondary economics teacher is a social studies teacher, whereas his or her British counterpart is a trained economist. (RM)

A case study of the production, sales, and marketing of spices by one of the major spice companies in Great Britain might be useful for business economics or industrial studies. Particular attention is paid to changing consumer preferences for spices and the company's response to those changes. (Author/IS)

Describes a program implemented by a British secondary school which linked students taking economics or commerce courses with industry. There were five components in the program: industrial and commercial visits, guest speakers, the young enterprise scheme (i.e., some students started their own businesses), field studies, and evaluation reports.…

This activity pack goes beyond exposing the low prices paid to commodity producers and explores broader structures that govern world trade and produce poverty and inequality. The pack encourages young people to look beyond the labels and consider the responsibilities consumers have toward the people who feed and clothe the world, or make the…

Administration of the Test of Understanding in College Economics to 79 British college freshmen before and after a required introductory economics course revealed that students with little prior exposure to economics typically did not achieve the knowledge level of more experienced students by course end. Results were not affected by intelligence,…

Describes a game that illustrates the effects of pricing on profit. Students compete against each other in an imaginary industry and become familiar with decision-making processes. Depicts the gameboard, how to make it, and how to use it. (GG)

Conceptions of 50 third graders (aged 8-9 years) in Italy about shopkeepers' profit were examined using the Piagetian clinical procedure, with an interview followed by a comparison task that checked comprehension. Teaching children about profit had a higher impact at posttest on children who could compare correctly. (SLD)

Through the first-hand experiences gained from out-of-school visits in which they observe and talk with adults in the workplace, and through gaining elementary rules of exchange via classroom simulations, young children can develop a rudimentary understanding of the complexities of commerce and trade. (MDM)