Subject: Econ Education Expirements

Posted by David Wheat on 1/14/2004

Message:

I received several encouraging replies to my posting about macroeconomics learning experiments that are part of my dissertation research.

The first experiment--designed to evaluate how a model facilitates learning about the GDP concept--is now ready. It requires at least 2 (preferably 3) groups of subjects, and they should have access to Stella v. 8 (free demo version from HPS is fine). An alternative version is available using
PowerPoint. Anyone who might be interested in administering the experiment
is encouraged to contact me.

I should mention that some "learning" about GDP does occur for everyone in the experiment, so everybody wins. The experimental question is whether more learning takes place for those with access to the formal model.

The second experiment will compare the relative effectiveness of a system dynamics model and a traditional static graph model in explaining an inventory recession. It will be available "soon."

Thanks for your interest and encouragement.
__________________________
David Wheat
dwheat@wheatresources.com
University of Bergen
__________________________