Learning Macroeconomic Theory and Policy Analysis via Microcomputer Simulation

Abstract

This paper presents a representative set of three macroeconomic models out of a larger set of models used to teach macroeconomic theory and policy analysis at the intermediate level. Besides solving the models by hand, students solve them on the microcomputers. This pedagogical approach is designed to accomplish three objectives: (1) to answer student criticisms that most macroeconomic textbooks do not present them with concrete, numerical models, (2) to improve students’ mathematical skills, and (3) to reinforce computer skills.