A Discussion of “Measuring the Effect of Blended Learning” Moving forward into the unknown that is teaching in higher education this fall has professors scrambling for course design that can work in person, online, or some combination of the two. We have been told at my school to plan for…
Macroeconomics
Can Emerging Market Economies Prevent Importing a Financial Crisis?
A Discussion of “When Do Capital Inflow Surges End in Tears?” Post World War II the “Powers that Be” set about building an economically interdependent global world order, governed by institutions like the IMF, the WTO and the World Bank, with the intention of preventing future global wars. If a war…
Teaching
How Much Does Classroom Time Matter?
A Discussion of “A Randomized Assessment of Online Learning” I teach at a small, private college which traditionally has offered a low teacher-student ratio as one of our main amenities. It’s why I teach there because teaching is my favorite part of being a professor. Then the pandemic struck this…
Economic Thought
Communism, Attitudes, and Political Sustainability
A Discussion of “The Long-Term Effects of Communism in Eastern Europe” Communism ended in Eastern Europe over three decades ago, but does that mean the market system that took its place is secure? What impact do the cultural and economic attitudes of the people have on the sustainability of the market…
Teaching
Active Learning: Myth or Reality?
A Discussion of “How Often Does Active Learning Actually Occur?” “Chalk and Talk.” “Sage on the Stage.” AKA, lecturing — the most common technique used in teaching economics in higher education today. Why? Because it is effective? Probably more because it is traditional. It is the method most current professors had in school….
Economic Thought
Sports, Religion, Communism, and Capitalism
A Discussion of “Emotional Tagging and Belief Formation: The Long-Lasting Effects of Experiencing Communism” Have you ever shared a dramatic experience with other people but each of you have a very different reaction? Each seems to draw their own conclusion, learn different lessons, store different memories. That’s similar to what…
Teaching
Remote Testing Without Cheating
Exploring a Better Way to Test During the Shut Down Halfway through the spring semester, living for Spring Break when I will get caught up on that ever-growing to do list, I certainly could not have predicted how much time I was about to have at home! Spring Break passed normally…
Macroeconomics
Who is Winning the Trade War?
A Discussion of “Who’s Paying for the US Tariffs? A Longer-Term Perspective” The Trump tariffs on China will lead to inflation, job losses and the end of the world as we know it! OK, a bit much, but sometimes reading the news feels more like click bait. As an economist,…
Microeconomics
Targeted Beats Universal in Developing Countries
A Discussion of “Universal Basic Income vs. Targeted Transfers” Universal Basic Income (UBI) is a hot issue— it even played a role in the 2020 Democrat presidential primary as a key feature of Andrew Yang’s platform. I see a lot of political, ethical, and philosophical reasons given for it, but…
Economic Thought
Where Economists Should Fear to Tread
A Discussion of “The Political Limits of Economics” We are living in a time when experts and their recommendations are ruling over us. Our politically elected officials are deferring to their guidance — is that how it should be in our democratic republic? Given the time it takes to publish, I doubt…