Presents a rigorous version of the model of an increasing-cost competitive industry. Explains that in this model firms are infinitesimal, which justifies price-taking behavior and a continuous industry supply curve. Shows that the industry supply curve slopes upward because of dispersion in the efficiency of firms. Emphasizes role of marginal…

Explains that econometrics is an intellectual game played by rules based on the sampling distribution concept. Contains explanations for why many students are uncomfortable with econometrics. Encourages instructors to use explain-how-to-bootstrap exercises to promote student understanding. (RLH)

Examines how much time is spent in economics and management sciences programs; how much time is allocated among different courses within programs; what common thematic denominators exist; and whether and in what way content in microeconomics and macroeconomics courses differs. (RLH)

Describes an instructional simulation of a commercial banking system. Identifies the teaching of portfolio theory, market robustness, and the subtleties of institutional constraints and decision making under uncertainty as the project's goals. Discusses the results of applying the simulation in an environment of local and national markets and a…

Discusses the content and cognitive specification of the third edition of the Test of Understanding in College Economics. Presents examples of the construction and sampling criteria employed in the latest and previous versions of the test. Explains that the test emphasizes recognition and understanding of basic terms, concepts, and principles with…

The authors show how the work of Nobel Laureates in economics can enhance student understanding and bring them up to date on topics such as probability, uncertainty and decision theory, hypothesis testing, regression to the mean, instrumental variable techniques, discrete choice modeling, and time-series analysis. (Contains 2 notes.)

Expounds on the relationship between instructor assessments of their teaching and their student assessments. Finds that instructors who speak English as their native language favorably rate their own speaking ability and enthusiasm, while students care more about instructor preparation for class and grading rigor. (RLH)

Analysis of data on 82 agricultural and home economics transfer students from community colleges and 103 regular undergraduates revealed transfer students had lower academic aptitude; ag majors had higher ACT composite scores than home ec majors; transfers' cumulative quality point averages were equal to those earned by nontransfers; and transfers…

The authors present a series of writing assignments that teaches students how to evaluate and critique the written economic work of others. The foundation text is McCloskey's (2000) Economical Writing. The students' dialogues with McCloskey, with each other, and with the authors of the pieces they evaluate sharpen their understanding of, and…

A study compared the need for achievement of female undergraduates majoring in various areas of home economics versus those majoring in business administration. The Nach-Naff Scale was administered to 124 female undergraduate business administration and 133 home economics majors. Of the home economics majors, 31 were in child development, 34 in…

Reiterates the case for adopting a proficiencies approach to instruction and learning in the economics major. Lists five proficiencies and discusses the emphasis given to these proficiencies with top economics undergraduates at two major research universities. (RLH)

Summarizes the educational trends in undergraduate economics degrees from 1997-98 noting that in the three year period from 1991-92 to 1994-95 there was a 30% decline in the number of economic degrees awarded to undergraduate students. Finds that the overall trend masks huge differences among the types of institutions. (CMK)

This final report details the results of an experimental program sponsored by the Mississippi State University (MSU) Special Teaching Projects Program which examined the effectiveness of video materials in a college economics classroom. The empirical results indicate that when video lessons are used as part of a course, students demonstrate…

A pretest-posttest research design was used to measure changes in three criterion variables of 150 students enrolled in an undergraduate textile class using programmed instructional materials. Findings have implications for the design of organized learning sequences to help individuals process information more efficiently for complex…

Describes a Web site designed for undergraduate macroeconomics teaching. Includes examples of two teaching modules, an applet that features macro time series for 19 countries, dictionaries of macroeconomic terms in 12 languages, links to macroeconomic topics, and an intranet search option. (JEH)