Fun with Economics : Simulating Theory to Stimulate Learning

Economic principles are key elements of the public administation curriculum. However, many students do not expect to like economics. They often believe it is unconnected to real issues of concern to them, and they find its standard apparatus difficult and overly abstract. Using simulation techniques that activate learning fits with some learning theory and can help make economic principles seem more realistic and intuitive. This paper describes four active learning exercises the authors have used successfully in MPA classes. We hope this paper may result in widespread sharing of such techniques so that the teaching and learning of economics in public admininstration programs may become more fun and effective