I’m excited to report that the University of Richmond’s Center for Teaching, Learning and technology has accepted my proposal to use iPads in my spring 2012 Principles of Economics course. Students will be issued school-owned iPads for use throughout the semester. This course is being presented to non-traditional students in the School of Professional and Continuing Studies. While there is a great deal of information regarding iPad use in K-12 and traditional-aged college classrooms, research is limited on non-traditional student iPad use. I am currently putting the finishing touches on the course and I will be sharing further information here over the next six months. Check in often and feel free to ask questions or to share your experience with iPad use in the classroom!

Where The Hell Is Matt?

Did You Know?

Hidden Face of Globalization

Millennium Development Goals

World Development Report 2009

Public Works Projects

Apparently housing starts, employment, and the stock market have nothing on men’s underwear and hot waitresses. Holes in men’s underwear and attractive waitresses, some argue, predict economic difficulty ahead. So, boys, have you purchased any new undies lately?

The current economic downturn has taken its toll on many and now apparently on the ranking of the US economy itself. The US held the top spot from 2006 – 2008. Now the Swiss economy holds the title.

Existing Home Sales – UP.
New Home Sales – UP.
Auto Sales – UP.
Consumer Confidence – UP.
World Stocks – UP.
France, Germany and Japan on the REBOUND.

OK media. You beat us over the head with the message of ‘worst economy since the Great Depression’. Remember how loudly you constantly yelled, “the sky is falling!”? That message ensured anyone who even thought about spending $5 at Starbucks would quickly close their wallet and hunker down at home. How about giving us a positive reason to tune in and listen? Give the economy a shot in the arm by sharing the GOOD news as eagerly and enthusiastically as you do the BAD news.

Home prices increased during the second quarter of 2009, offering additional signs of hope that the worst may be behind us. This represents the first increase in three years. A thawing of the frozen housing market would be a positive sign. For the average American, a home is the largest and most significant investment. As values drop, we feel less wealthy. This is known as the wealth effect. When we see the value of our assets decline, we tend to spend less.

President Obama plans to reappoint Chairman Ben Bernanke at the Federal Reserve, providing much needed continuity as the economy moves into recovery. Having initially faced many questions about his handling of the economic crisis, Bernanke now is widely credited for steering the country away from even deeper disaster.

Gas prices have remained relatively well-behaved in spite of recent increases in crude prices. Tame energy prices will be key to consumer sentiment and a sustainable recovery. While the price of oil has surged 50% since the beginning of the year, we shouldn’t see the return of triple-digit prices in the near term. In further good news, the IMF declared last week that the global recovery has begun. When do you think consumers will be convinced of this?

The world stage appears to have liked what Fed Chairman Bernanke had to say about the prospects of economic recovery. Better than anticipated home sales also helped fuel the excitement. Global stock markets responded favorably to the news.