Offers a framework with which to analyze growth in a small economy with perfect capital mobility. Produces a diagrammatic representation of steady states that differs from the usual closed-economy Solow-Swan diagram. Uses the diagrams to compare open economy steady states with closed ones. Illustrate the possibility of endogenous income growth.…

Describes bargaining examples that use expected utility theory. Provides example results that are intuitive, shown graphically and algebraically, and offer upper-level student samples that illustrate the usefulness of the expected utility theory. (JEH)

Describes and contrasts nonlinear and linear pricing in consumer choice theory. Discusses the types of nonlinear pricing: block-declining tariff, two-part tariff, three-part tariff, and quality discounts or premia. States that understanding nonlinear pricing enhances student comprehension of consumer choice theory. Suggests teaching the concept in…

Dawson introduces three articles which debate merits of research techniques in undergraduate economic education. William E. Becker criticizes John C. Soper's models, multicollinearity argument, and student incentives in a research project; Soper replies; Robert Highsmith critically analyzes strengths and weaknesses of each argument. (AV)

Describes a pit-market experiment using the work of Charles A. Holt to illustrate to students the real world relevance of the competitive equilibrium concept. Explains how to set up and conduct a pit-market experiment, discusses features of the data, and provides accompanying materials. (JEH)

Employs a classroom version of the research game, the Ultimatum Game, to teach undergraduate students how fairness affects behavior. Focuses on three concepts related to fairness. Finds that classroom results motivate discussion about a downward sloping demand curve for fairness. Provides an appendix that includes instructional materials. (JEH)

Points out shortcomings in much of the existing research on economics and economics education. Topics include inappropriate uses of various quantitative techniques, an explanation of probit analysis and its potential application to analysis of discrete economic education variables, and assessment of innovative methods in economic education.…

Reestimates with maximum likelihood procedures of a previously specified model that aimed at explaining the joint determinants of two binary choice variables: (1) the presence of a gender economics course and (2) a women's-studies program. Results differ from the original study enough to conclude that the use of more appropriate techniques is…

Emphasis is upon the estimation and classical hypotheses testing of economic learning-regression models which may involve systems of equations, collinear regressors, interactions, and distributional effects, when there are errors in the variables and where measures of learning may be ordinal. (Author)

Discusses the growth of quantification and mathematical rigor in articles in scholarly economic journals. Discusses also some implications of this trend for economic education. (DB)

Reports results of a study of economics students to test the effect of time and other factors affecting retention, to develop an instrument to measure the rate of depreciation of the student's stock of economic knowledge, and to explore the implications of findings for the student's academic planning. (Author/KC)

This article presents a report on student effort in economics courses based on time and the efficiency of its use. Information is presented on explanatory variables in each of the several learning models tested, theoretical basis for recent empirical student learning, definitions of student input, and the student-choice model proposed by Richard…

Describes study which indicates that large class size is not detrimental to retention performance in introductory economics classes. Variables examined include class size, method of instruction, cognitive levels of learning, pre- and post-test scores, grade in the course, class, SAT scores, and student attitude. (KC)

Explains how optimal control problems can be solved with a spreadsheet, such as Microsoft Excel. Suggests the method can be used by students, teachers, and researchers as a tool to find numerical solutions for optimal control problems. Provides several examples that range from simple to advanced. (JEH)

Challenges the belief that knowledge of economics will help students make more intelligent decisions in their roles as citizens. Questions the usefulness of current research by economic educators. Urges that the tools of economic analysis which they teach about should also be used in the study of economics teaching itself. (Author/AV)