SimEcon: Economics Issues and Principles

经济学(82)这个项目需要设计、开发、传播和评估“模拟经济学”，这是一个由16个交互式经济计算机模拟模块组成的光盘包，用于经济学原理课程中的标准经济学课本。SimEcon为学生提供了一套针对特定主题的模块，在这些模块中，他们需要将经济学入门课程材料付诸实践，并“从实践中学习”。每个模块都试图捕捉经济系统的一个方面的复杂性，这些方面不能很容易地用更静态的教学工具，即黑板或练习本来传达。每个模块允许学生对不同的经济变量做出决定，查看他们行动的结果，并根据他们的结果改进他们的决定。该项目的主要目标是通过开发一种名为SimEcon的技术工具来增加经济学教育的价值，该工具将允许学生在积极、动态地参与每一次经济模拟中包含的课程的基础上，发展深度认知学习、解决问题和分析技能。第二个目标是评估在各种学习环境中使用这些模块的影响。这些模块可用作课堂活动或实验课程、写作作业、远程学习、在线课程和结果评估的基础。第三个目标是向将在其原理课程中使用这些模块的讲师广泛演示并分发SimEcon。我们目前正在与地区社区学院和四年制学院和大学的几位讲师合作，并将积极招聘额外的讲师在整个项目期间进行Beta测试和使用SimEcon。模块主题包括：经济增长、市场分析、收益成本分析、开放和封闭的宏观经济学、效用最大化、成本最小化、竞争市场、垄断、寡头垄断、劳动力市场、汇率、收入分配、贸易谈判、外部性和银行。模块包含学生说明、术语定义弹出窗口、表格量化结果和/或图形输出显示。课程包的广度使教师可以选择适合其课程覆盖范围、学生受众和可用时间的模块子集。这些模块使学生能够通过在重复的经济实验中做出决定来学习，评估他们选择的结果，在指定的时间段内修改决定，并根据他们的结果写出结论。该项目是两所大学的教授合作完成的。两位教授在他们的课程中使用了4个模块(E-Growth、Markets、DrugWars和Macro1)，并在试用的基础上对它们进行了修改。

Economics (82) This project entails the design, development, dissemination, and assessment of "SimEcon," a CD-ROM package of 16 interactive economic computer simulation modules for use with a standard economics text in principles of economics courses. SimEcon provides students with a set of topic-specific modules in which they are expected to put the introductory economic course material to work and "learn by doing." Each module attempts to capture the complexities of an aspect of the economic system that cannot easily be conveyed with more static teaching tools, i.e. blackboards or workbooks. Each module allows the student to make decisions about different economic variables, view the results of their actions, and improve their decisions based on their results. The project's primary objective is to add value to economic education by producing a technological tool, SimEcon, that will allow students to develop deep cognitive learning, problem-solving, and analytical skills based on active, dynamic involvement with the lessons contained in each economic simulation. The second goal is to evaluate the impact of using the modules in a variety of learning environments. The modules may be used as the basis for class activity or lab sessions, writing assignments, distance learning, on-line courses, and outcomes assessments. The third objective is to broadly demonstrate and distribute SimEcon to instructors who will use the modules in their principles courses. We are currently working with several instructors at regional community colleges, and 4-year colleges and universities, and will actively recruit additional instructors to beta test and use SimEcon throughout the project period.Module topics include: economic growth, market analysis, benefit-cost analysis, open and closed macroeconomics, utility maximization, cost minimization, competitive markets, monopoly, oligopoly, labor markets, exchange rates, income distribution, trade negotiations, externalities, and banking. Modules contain student instructions, term definition pop-up windows, tabular quantitative results and/or graphical output displays. The breadth of the package allows instructors to select a subset of modules that is suitable for their course coverage, student audience, and available time. The modules enable students to learn by making decisions in repetitive economic experiments, evaluate the results of their choices, revise decisions over designated time periods, and write conclusions based on their outcomes. The project is a collaboration between professors at two universities. Both professors have used 4 modules in their courses (E-Growth, Markets, DrugWars, and Macro1) and have revised them based on trial use.