Welker's Wikinomics Blog http://welkerswikinomics.com/blog for students and teachers of AP and IB Economics Thu, 11 Mar 2010 15:36:09 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 en hourly 1 for students and teachers of AP and IB Economics no Lesson Plan: Visualizing Economic Growth and Economic Development http://welkerswikinomics.com/blog/2009/12/09/1419/ http://welkerswikinomics.com/blog/2009/12/09/1419/#comments Wed, 09 Dec 2009 07:39:36 +0000 Jason Welker http://welkerswikinomics.com/blog/2009/12/09/1419/ Essential Question: How does economic development differ from economic growth?

Objective: Whereas most assignments deal in information and analysis, this one deals in imagination. Here we ask you to portray what you believe more economically developed countries look like. And considering that development is a relative term, we also want to see how a country could end up if it only achieves economic growth, without any progress on development.

Goal: To visualize and depict the distinction between economic development and economic growth.

Process:

  • Class is divided into pairs, each pair is either an “A” or a “B” pair. A groups will focus on Economic Growth and group B groups on Economic Development
  • Read chapter 30 of the Course Companion with special attention to your assigned section.
  • A groups will focus on pages 321-325 on “Economic Growth” and “Consequences of Economic Growth”
  • B groups will focus on pages 325-328 “Sources of Economic Development”
  • Using PhotoStory, create a slideshow depicting the situation you were assigned (either “growth” or “development”). For an example of a PhotoStory, quickly watch this one on the Dust Bowl. Here is a tutorial from Microsoft on how to quickly start making your slideshow in PhotoStory.
  • Save images to a folder on your computer, then import them into a PhotoStory when you are ready to start creating your slideshow.
  • Add subtitles and/0r your own narration to your PhotoStory. If you wish, you can add music to your PhotoStory as well.
  • Be sure to include at least ten images in your slideshow.

As you and your partner gather images online, keep in mind the definitions of growth and development. Images should portray these definitions in a creative way.

When your PhotoStory is complete, save the file “for playback on your computer”, then submit the finished file into your class’s folder on Classworks. Each pair will have the chance to show their slideshow to the class. The two best slideshows from the class (one on growth and one on development) will be posted to this blog for the world to see!

This lesson was originally created by Sean Maley, IB Economics teacher at the International School of Bucharest, Romania.

No related posts.

]]> http://welkerswikinomics.com/blog/2009/12/09/1419/feed/ 1 <p><strong>Essential Question: </strong>How does economic development differ from economic growth?</p> <p><strong>Objective: </strong>Whereas most assignments deal in information and analysis, this one deals in imagination. Here we ask you to portray what you believe more economically developed countries look like. And considering that development is a relative term, we also want to see how a country could end up if it only achieves economic growth, without any progress on development.</p> <p><strong>Goal: </strong>To visualize and depict the distinction between economic development and economic growth.</p> <p><strong>Process:</strong></p> <div><strong></p> <ul> <li><span style="font-weight: normal;">Class is divided into pairs, each pair is either an “A” or a “B” pair. A groups will focus on Economic Growth and group B groups on Economic Development</span></li> <li><span style="font-weight: normal;">Read chapter 30 of the Course Companion with special attention to your assigned section. </span></li> <li><span style="font-weight: normal;">A groups will focus on pages 321-325 on “Economic Growth” and “Consequences of Economic Growth” </span></li> <li><span style="font-weight: normal;">B groups will focus on pages 325-328 “Sources of Economic Development”</span></li> <li><span style="font-weight: normal;">Using <a href="C:\Program Files\PhotoStory" target="_blank">PhotoStory</a>, create a slideshow depicting the situation you were assigned (either “growth” or “development”). For an example of a PhotoStory, quickly watch <a href="http://www.greece.k12.ny.us/task/photostory/Dust_Bowl_Demo.wmv" target="_blank">this one on the Dust Bowl</a>. <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/digitalphotography/photostory/tips/firststory.mspx" target="_blank">Here is a tutorial from Microsoft</a> on how to quickly start making your slideshow in PhotoStory. </span></li> <li><span style="font-weight: normal;">Save images to a folder on your computer, then import them into a PhotoStory when you are ready to start creating your slideshow.</span></li> <li><span style="font-weight: normal;">Add subtitles and/0r your own narration to your PhotoStory. If you wish, you can add music to your PhotoStory as well.</span></li> <li><span style="font-weight: normal;">Be sure to include at least ten images in your slideshow. </span></li> </ul> <p></strong></div> <p>As you and your partner gather images online, keep in mind the definitions of growth and development. Images should portray these definitions in a creative way.</p> <div><strong></p> <p></strong>When your PhotoStory is complete, save the file “for playback on your computer”, then submit the finished file into your class’s folder on Classworks. Each pair will have the chance to show their slideshow to the class. The two best slideshows from the class (one on growth and one on development) will be posted to this blog for the world to see!</div> <div><em>This lesson was originally created by Sean Maley, IB Economics teacher at the International School of Bucharest, Romania.</em></div> <!-- Begin SexyBookmarks Menu Code --> <div class="sexy-bookmarks sexy-bookmarks-center sexy-bookmarks-bg-enjoy"> <ul class="socials"> <li class="sexy-delicious"> <a [...] Essential Question: How does economic development differ from economic growth? Objective: Whereas most assignments deal in information and analysis, this one deals in imagination. Here we ask you to portray what you believe more economically [...] Tit, tat, tariff… China and America’s latest shoving match is underway http://welkerswikinomics.com/blog/2009/09/23/tit-tat-tariff-china-and-americas-latest-shoving-match-is-underway/ http://welkerswikinomics.com/blog/2009/09/23/tit-tat-tariff-china-and-americas-latest-shoving-match-is-underway/#comments Tue, 22 Sep 2009 20:42:54 +0000 Jason Welker http://welkerswikinomics.com/blog/?p=1147 America, a champion of free trade between the world’s nations… right?

Actually, the United States places tariffs (taxes on import) on virtully every item it trades for with the rest of the world. Below is just one tiny section of the 75 page table of contents (!!) of the “Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States”.

JOGGING SUITS knitted or crocheted . . . . . . . . .. . . . . 6112.11-19
JOINERY of wood, for builders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4418
JOINTS artificial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . 9021.11
JOJOBA OIL . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1515.90, 1516-1518
JOKE ARTICLES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9505.90
JONGKONG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . Ch. 44
JOURNALS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . 49-3, 4902
JUDO UNIFORMS of cotton . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . . . 6203.22, 6204.22
JUICES fruit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20-US1-3
fruit and vegetable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20-5, 2009.11-90
meat, fish, or aquatic invertebrates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1603.00
JUMPSUITS men’s or boys’ . . .  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  6211.32-33
women’s or girls’ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6211.42-43
JUNIPER seeds of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . …0909.50

Yes, folks. Even “Joke Articles” made overseas are taxed before ending up in the hands of American consumers (by 70% as it turns out!). But tariffs are no joke. The podcast below offers an excellent evaluation of the effects of America’s tariffs on various stakeholders, including American consumers, producers, and workers and on foreign producers, consumers and workers.

After listening to the whole podcast, respond the the following questions in a comment.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How does a tariff on Chinese tires affect American tire manufacturers? Why are American firms that make tires actually opposed to the tariff on Chinese imports?
  2. Which group is the main proponent of higher tariffs on Chinese tires? Why does this group favor higher tariffs?
  3. How have the Chinese responded to the American tire tariff? Why are American chicken farmers upset about the tax on Chinese tires?
  4. Why do “97% of economists say tariffs are a bad idea?” The commentator says economists hate them because “they are so inefficient”. Discuss the economic reasoning behind this statement.
  5. Do you think it is likely that the 35% tariff on Chinese tires will save or create jobs for Americans? Why or why not? What are your conclusions regarding the economic wisdom of tariffs?

No related posts.

]]> http://welkerswikinomics.com/blog/2009/09/23/tit-tat-tariff-china-and-americas-latest-shoving-match-is-underway/feed/ 9 <p>America, a champion of free trade between the world’s nations… right?</p> <p>Actually, the United States places tariffs (taxes on import) on virtully every item it trades for with the rest of the world. Below is just one tiny section of the <em>75 page t</em><em>able of contents (!!) </em>of the <a href="http://www.usitc.gov/tata/hts/bychapter/index.htm" target="_blank">“Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States”.</a></p> <blockquote><p>JOGGING SUITS knitted or crocheted . . . . . . . . .. . . . . 6112.11-19<br /> JOINERY of wood, for builders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4418<br /> JOINTS artificial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . 9021.11<br /> JOJOBA OIL . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1515.90, 1516-1518<br /> JOKE ARTICLES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9505.90<br /> JONGKONG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . Ch. 44<br /> JOURNALS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . 49-3, 4902<br /> JUDO UNIFORMS of cotton . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . . . 6203.22, 6204.22<br /> JUICES fruit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20-US1-3<br /> fruit and vegetable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20-5, 2009.11-90<br /> meat, fish, or aquatic invertebrates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1603.00<br /> JUMPSUITS men’s or boys’ . . .  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  6211.32-33<br /> women’s or girls’ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6211.42-43<br /> JUNIPER seeds of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . …0909.50</p></blockquote> <p>Yes, folks. Even “Joke Articles” made overseas are taxed before ending up in the hands of American consumers (<em>by 70% as it turns out!</em>). But tariffs are no joke. The podcast below offers an excellent evaluation of the effects of America’s tariffs on various stakeholders, including American consumers, producers, and workers and on foreign producers, consumers and workers.</p> <h3 style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; display: block; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1; background-position: initial initial; padding: 3px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;"></h3> <p>After listening to the whole podcast, respond the the following questions in a comment.</p> <p><strong>Discussion Questions:</strong></p> <ol> <li>How does a tariff on Chinese tires affect American tire manufacturers? Why are American firms that make tires actually <em>opposed</em> to the tariff on Chinese imports?</li> <li>Which group is the main proponent of higher tariffs on Chinese tires? Why does this group favor higher tariffs?</li> <li>How have the Chinese responded to the American tire tariff? Why are American chicken farmers upset about the tax on Chinese tires?</li> <li>Why do “97% of economists say tariffs are a bad idea?” The commentator says economists hate them because “they are so inefficient”. Discuss the economic reasoning behind this statement.</li> <li>Do you think it is likely that the 35% tariff on Chinese tires will save or create jobs for Americans? Why or why not? What are your conclusions regarding the economic wisdom of tariffs?</li> </ol> <!-- Begin SexyBookmarks [...] America, a champion of free trade between the world’s nations… right? Actually, the United States places tariffs (taxes on import) on virtully every item it trades for with the rest of the world. Below is just one tiny section of the 75 page [...]