http://www.merlot.org:80/merlot/ A search of MERLOT materials Copyright 1997-2013 MERLOT. All rights reserved. Fri, 24 May 2013 04:59:58 PDT Fri, 24 May 2013 04:59:58 PDT http://www.merlot.org:80/merlot/images/merlot.gif http://www.merlot.org:80/merlot/ 44 34 http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=75533 This lesson focuses on the April 27, 2012, first (advance) estimate of U.S. real gross domestic product (real GDP) growth for the first quarter (Q1) of 2012, as reported by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA). The current data and historical data are explained. The meaning of GDP and potential impacts of changes of GDP are explored. The lesson will also raise questions about the impact of the current level of growth on the U.S. economy and individuals. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=75531 This case study examines the monthly inflation in consumer prices and discusses future inflation. Also discussed are the causes of inflation and the impact of high inflation rates. Questions are provided for discussion and in this instructor's version, answers are also provided. There is also a student version and a printable version. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=84529 In this lesson plan, students will consider the following question: In deciding to secede from the Union in 1861, did the South violate its own self-interest and thus disprove the basic economic principle that people seek to further their self-interest in the decisions they make? Acting in this role, the students will apply principles of economic reasoning and use a decision grid to weigh the benefits and costs of the South's effort to create a new nation in which slavery and state's rights would forever be guaranteed by law. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=75530 This is a case study of the March 2001 increase in the balance of trade. The case provides graphical information about the history of exports and imports as well as information about the types of products and the trading partners of the United States. Questions for discussion are also provided and, with the instructor's version above, answers to those questions. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=75744 This is a lesson plan to illustrate the concept of market share and market power through a linked article. The plan helps students learn to 1) explain the concept of market share and what it means to competitors in business and to consumers ; 2) explain why measures of market share are often somewhat arbitrary; 3) identify different concepts of "monopoly" and evaluate their usefulness; and 4)discuss reasons why large-scale production may be an advantage or a disadvantage to a business firm. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=88080 This site provides nine instances in which students are presented with a situation and asked to identify the opportunity costs. These exercises can be completed in small groups or used for general classroom use. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=81339 This Bized site provides a lesson plan to develop student understanding of markets and competition. Lesson objectives are provided as well as PowerPoint slides, a mind map, and an activity sheet that includes key issue questions and links to other resources. This Bized site provides a lesson plan for an investigation to analyze a major business in terms of its current strategic position and to make some judgments about future strategy. Lesson objectives are provided as well as PowerPoint slides, a mind map, and an activity sheet that includes key issue questions and links to other resources. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=91153 This site enables students to take a ten question quiz to help determine their economic perspectives. The main perspectives are socialism, capitalism and free and equal association. The answers are graded immediately and students are able to see where they stand relative to others. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=81386 This Bized site provides a lesson plan designed to provide students with background information on the nature of economics, the economic problem and the key concepts of opportunity cost and production possibility frontiers Lesson objectives are provided as well as PowerPoint slides, a mind map, and an activity sheet that includes key issue questions and links to other resources. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=75741 This is a lesson plan which links to an article about the topic. The purpose of the lesson is to help students: 1) understand the concept of marginal value 2) recognize how the tradeoffs we make involve calculations of cost and benefit 3) realize how scarcity relates to issues of safety and 4) explore how policies often respond to seen consequences or effects, while ignoring the unseen.״