Software

Source

Topic

Rank

Requirements

Where Available

List
Price

Microeconomics Alive!

South-Western College Publishing
~~~
Developed by:
Cooperative Media

Microeconomics:
Principles and Applications

* * * * *

Win 3.1/95/98: 486/33 MHz, 8 MB RAM, SVGA display, 2X CD-ROM, QuickTime for Win v.2.1 or later, speakers/headphones

Mac OS7.0 or higher:
68040 or PowerPC platform, 8 MB RAM, 6 MB free disk, Color display, 2X CD-ROM, QuickTime v2.5 or later, headphones/speakers

Amazon.com

Comments:

This excellent program is entertaining and explains complicated microeconomic concepts in an easy to understand manner.  Great for beginning economics students.  The lectures and graphical lessons are tied in with an economic story that carries throughout the program.  There are superb learning tools to use after lessons.  Some of the terms used may be unfamiliar, but they are quickly explained and used in context to enhance understanding. To top off this wealth of information, the characters and story which the program is centered around is quite entertaining and will keep students from drifting off from boredom.

Software

Source

Topic

Rank

System Requirement

Where Available

List
Price

Darwin: Survival of the Fittest

Ameritrade

Options Trading Game

* * *

Win 95/98

Free

Comments:

This game is quite entertaining and it is a good simulation of how the market works, however, one must be prepared to play the game.  The stock market can be confusing to say the least, using the proper terminology and knowing what all the lingo means can be quite helpful.  This trading game has a wonderful glossary that should be put to use.  Before playing I suggest using the excellent tutorials provided, otherwise it could lead to a very frustrating session.  A lot can be learned from the tutorial alone!  Darwin is a wonderful teaching tool for those who would like to understand the market a little better and try their shot at it on the computer before committing real money to the market.

Software

Source

Topic

Rank

Requirements

Where Available

Appox.
Price

An Electronic Companion to Principles of Macroeconomics

Cogito Learning Media Inc.

Macro
economics

* * *

PC:486 processor, Win. 95/98, 12 MB RAM, 2XCD-ROM, soundcard, speakers

Mac: PowerPC, 12 MB RAM, 68040 processor 8 MB RAM 2X CD-ROM

Amazon.com

$49.95

Comments:

     This Cogito program is a good supplement to a text of macroeconomics studies.  It demonstrates many things that cannot be done in a textbook, however it does not fulfill its multi-media capabilities.  There is a good mix of text and oral lecture material; not too much spoken and not too much text on the screen.  A larger than normal amount of historical references are made in this program, usually referring to the past presidential economic periods in the United States.  One should be aware that Cogito does not use the IS-LM curves in its lessons, it focuses on the aggregate demand instead.  The IS curve is covered, but not in depth.  The test questions are lumped together in chapters and are somewhat challenging.  The organization of this program is much like that of the Cogito Microeconomics program, which is not one of the best I have seen.  The information is there, however, and there are some good exercises in the program and it is fairly easy to understand.

**Use program with text: Principles of Macroeconomics ISBN:1-888902-94-9  Author: Brad DeLong, Ph.D.

Software

Source

Topic

Rank

Requirements

Where Available

Appox.
Price

An Electronic Companion to Principles of Microeconomics

Cogito Learning Media, Inc.

Micro
economics

* * *

PC: 486 Processor, Win. 95/98, 12 MB RAM, 2X CD-ROM

Mac: PowerPC 12 MB RAM, 68040 processor 8 MB RAM, 2X CD-ROM

Amazon .com

$49.95

Comments:

The Cogito microeconomics companion is a very useful learning supplement.  It moves at a nice slow pace to reassure understanding.  There are tests that can be taken in accordance with each chapter.  The questions cover a breadth of information and make the user apply their economic knowledge to a problem, rather than simple memorization.  I think the organization of this program is somewhat confusing and does not seem to have a logical layout.  Although there are no problem sets within the lessons, there are interactive graphs and a few exercises that help to further understanding of the definitions and major topics.  Sometimes the problems can be confusing and a few software design flaws can be frustrating, but it contains an adequate amount of information that is explained in an easy to understand manner.

**Use with Text: Principles of Microeconomics ISBN: 1-58032-039-2  Authors: Ralph Byrns & Steven G. Thorpe

Software

Source

Topic

Rank

Requirements

Where Available

List
Price

The Logal Economics Explorer CD-ROM

Logal Software Inc.

Macro and Microeconomic overview

* *

PC 486 DX166 or higher
SVGA monitor w/ 256 colors or higher
Win 3.1/95/98
or
Macintosh
16 MB RAM & sound capabilities

see www.logal.com for a list of distributers in your area

N/A

Comments:

This program is good for general understanding, but it does not go into great depth.  It includes more sophisticated graphs, which a player can interact with, but they are somewhat difficult to use.  The graphics and media are great, however, I have experienced that it is easier to understand or remember a concept when it is at least in writing and briefly mentioned in a lecture.  The program is loaded with information, but does not go in-depth on the why or how of a concept.  Maneuvering the program is quite difficult at times and rather confusing.  Sometimes technical difficulties get in the way of the short lectures the program has to offer.  I would not recommend this program for higher level economics students.

Software

Source

Topic

Rank

Requirements

Where Available

Approx.
Price

Economics in Action*

Addison-Wesley

Economics:
Microeconomics
Macroeconomics

* * *

2X CD-ROM, 800x600x256 colors, 8 MB RAM, Win 95/98, or NT, 486/33 MHz or better

Amazon.com

$105

Comments:

EIA is a nicely organized program.  The introductions are helpful and it has many features that allow the user choices in the speed and depth of his or her lesson.  There are interactive graphs that are easy to use and the quizzes and problem sets challenge the user's understanding of the economic concepts from the chapters.  The most outstanding feature of this product would have to be all the tools available, including a glossary filled with examples and related terms that appears when one clicks on a boldfaced term in the text.  Although it has many great features and is relatively easy to understand and use, the program does not go into extensive depth, more than most however, and there are no great media applications which would otherwise prevent users from sleepiness while studying.

* Bundled with Michael Parkin's Economics Textbook.

Software

Source

Topic

Rank

Requirements

Where Available

Approx.
Price

DiscoverEcon
3.1 Software
Tutorial

McGraw-Hill
Companies,
Inc.

Economics:
Microeconomics
Macroeconomics

* * * * * 

486 DX66 or better, 8 MB RAM, 1 MB
 hard disk space  SVGA monitor, Win 3.1/95/98/
NT4.0

Amazon.com

$23.80

Comments:

DiscoverEcon is a great tutorial supplement for Economics, 14th Edition, Macroeconomics, 14th Edition, and Microeconomics, 14th Edition by Campbell R. McConnell and Stanley L. Brue.  I also think that this is a great source on its own.  It is very nicely organized; it incorporates problem sets in the lessons, instead of quizzes at the end, has very helpful tools, interactive graphs, and a glossary.  The program goes into extensive explanation about the many concepts it covers.  The pages are easy to read and have just the right amount of information to digest at one time for better understanding.  There is also the option of doing problems and taking quizzes where one can print out their results or email them to a professor.  They range from multiple choice, matching, essay, and web questions which relate to real world situations.  The problems are quite challenging.  The problems and constant graphing tools keep interest throughout the chapters instead of great media features which are not a part of this program.

**Use with texts Economics, 14th Edition, Macroeconomics, 14th Edition, Microeconomics 14th Edition by Campbell R. McConnell and Stanley L. Brue

Software

Source

Topic

Rank

Requirements

Where Available

Approx.
Price

An Electronic Companion to Intermediate Macroeconomics

Cogito Learning Media, Inc.

Macroeconomics

* * *

PC: 486 processor, Win 95/98 w/ 12 MB RAM, Win 3.1 w/ 8 MB RAM, 2XCD-ROM, sound card
Mac: system 7.1, PowerPC w/ 12 MB RAM, 68040 processor w/ 8 MB RAM

Amazon.com

$49.95

Comments:

     Cognito's Intermediate Macroeconomics makes it very clear that it must be used as a companion to textbooks, lectures, and workbooks with problem sets.  The information is introduced in a more complicated manor, often using jargon to explain concepts and other words.  One must have a good textbook or an initial understanding of macroeconomics to use this program.  There is not much in depth information, but it is a good reinforcement of important concepts and has nice demonstrations that could not be shown without animation capabilities.  There are many interesting graphs, but does not quite reach its multimedia potential.   There are test problems at the end, but none in the lessons.  The questions are somewhat challenging and there is a "hint button" provided in case assistance is needed.