This is available to a limited number of beta users. Don't fret if you get waitlisted – we will let you know when we've got a slot for you!
We'll reach out to gather your micro syllabus so we can tailor EconInbox to what you're teaching, when you're teaching it.
We've searched high and low for resources that will engage your students: news articles with clicker questions, podcasts, videos, nerdy blog posts, games and more. Check out our working spreadsheet for details.
You’ll receive a weekly email with vetted content matched to the topic you’re teaching that week, for free.
See a sample!
Elasticity: Curated Media
Massive response to sale prompts Build-A-Bear to shut down lines, offer vouchers
(CNN) 7/12/2018
The "overwhelming" response to a sale at Build-A-Bear prompted the retailer to turn away customers waiting in long lines outside its stores. Ask your students if they can infer anything about elasticity of demand.
Resources: Multiple Choice Questions
Most Netflix users would pay a lot more for their subscription, survey shows
(Yahoo! Finance) 5/15/2018
Are your students addicted to Netflix? Then this example might resonate with them. While the headline is a bit misleading, you can use the information given in the article about demand at different price points to calculate (a rough) elasticity of demand for Netflix (FYI — Netflix has around 125M subscribers). You could even create a poll for your class and construct the class’ elasticity of demand for Netflix for a more personal example.
Facts about (Facebook) Friends
(Marginal Revolution) 7/25/2017
An oldie, but a goodie. Does distance make the heart grow fonder? Tyler Cowen provides some stats on social connectedness and links to a working paper on the topic. Transfer of learning, anyone?
An Economist Gets Stoned*
(Planet Money)
What happens to the price of drugs if we legalize them? Well, it depends on elasticity of demand. For more background on the research in this episode, check out Jeffrey Miron’s paper on drug prohibition’s budgetary implications.
*No economists were stoned in the making of this podcast.
Resource: Rebecca Moryll has a class discussion question and a written assignment for this episode at audioecon.com.
Characteristics that Determine Elasticity
(MJM Foodie)
Using the example of gas to fuel her car, Dr. Mary J. McGlasson gives
a quick overview of the contributing factors to whether an individual’s demand for a particular good might be elastic or inelastic. So, is Dr. McGlasson’s demand for gasoline elastic or inelastic?
Elasticity and Slave Redemption
(MRU)
Slave redemption is one of the starkest examples of unintended consequences that we’ve ever heard of. It drives home the point for students that even when you’re trying to do good in the world, understanding economics, including elasticities, is crucial!
Welcome back to EconInbox — your weekly round-up of the best free and engaging econ teaching resources out there.
This week: elasticity. Students often have trouble with elasticity, especially applying it outside of economics. In fact, most people are pretty bad at learning transfer – taking a concept from one area and applying it to another. And yet, it’s arguably one of the most important skills. Below, you’ll find a few examples of learning transfer in action, but please send others our way!
Have resources to share?
We'd also love to hear any other comments you have!
Drop us an email at
A weekly email of news articles and resources tailored to what you’re teaching.
BETA
How it works
1. Sign up for EconInbox by
giving us your Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, or Intro to Economics course schedule.
2. We sync tailored resources to your syllabus schedule.
3. You receive one weekly email of resources based on what you’re teaching that week.
What educators are saying about EconInbox
"I'm honored to say EconInbox is my best teaching assistant."
— Dr. Maryam Moeini, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences
"I am just so happy with EconInbox. It's been such a great resource - I've used it to improve my lectures, build better reading response questions, and inspire ideas. I look forward to it every week!"
— Dr. Emily Beam, University of Vermont
"EconInbox has been a fantastic aid to teaching AP Micro this year. This is my 7th year teaching and these resources have allowed me to change up my curriculum and have students make more real world connections than ever before."
— David Golden, Chicago Public Schools
CPI - Measuring Inflation: Curated Media
Price changes in consumer goods and services in the USA | Our World in Data
The graph shows how prices of services were rising faster than prices of goods before the pandemic.
Welcome back to EconInbox and another week of curated resources for teaching economics! This week: CPI - Measuring Inflation.
Copyright © 2023 Marginal Revolution University. All rights reserved.
Have resources to share?
We'd also love to hear any other comments you have!
Drop us an email at
A weekly email of news
articles and resources
tailored to what
you’re teaching.
Copyright © 2023 Marginal Revolution University. All rights reserved.
Have resources to share? We'd also love to hear any other comments you have!
Drop us an email at
What educators
are saying about EconInbox
"I'm honored to say EconInbox is my best teaching assistant."
— Dr. Maryam Moeini, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences
"I am just so happy with EconInbox. It's been such a great resource - I've used it to improve my lectures, build better reading response questions, and inspire ideas.
I look forward to it every week!"
— Dr. Emily Beam, University of Vermont
"EconInbox has been a fantastic aid to teaching AP Micro this year. This is my 7th year teaching and these resources have allowed me to change up my curriculum and have students make more real world connections than ever before."
— David Golden, Chicago Public Schools
How it works
1. Sign up for EconInbox by giving us your Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, or Intro to Economics course schedule.
2. We sync tailored resources to your syllabus schedule.
3. You receive one weekly email of resources based on what you’re teaching that week.
CPI - Measuring Inflation: Curated Media
Price changes in consumer goods and services in the USA | Our World in Data
The graph shows how prices of services were rising faster than prices of goods before the pandemic.
Welcome back to EconInbox and another week of curated resources for teaching economics! This week: CPI - Measuring Inflation.
by MRU
FAQ
1. Signup for EconInbox by
sharing your Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, or Intro to Economics course schedule.
2. We sync tailored resources to your syllabus schedule.
3. You receive one weekly email of resources based on what you’re teaching that week.
See sample email
FAQ
1. Signup for EconInbox by sharing your Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, or Intro to Economics course schedule.
2. We sync tailored resources to your syllabus schedule.
3. You receive one weekly email of resources based on what you’re teaching that week. See sample email
How it works:
Q: It seems like I can only sign up for one course at a time. What if I teach multiple courses?
A: Great question! We’re working on a better solution for this. In the meantime, sign up for one course and then simply add topics for both/multiple classes to that schedule. If you’ve already signed up for one course for fall and would like to add another course, you can update your schedule here. If you have any questions, just reach out to econinbox@mru.org and we’ll help you out.
Q: I really like the concept but I honestly don’t know my schedule for the whole semester. Can I still sign up?
A: Absolutely! It’s ok if you’re not sure what you’re teaching. After you sign up and fill out the first few weeks, you can always return to EconInbox’s syllabus builder app throughout the semester to edit your schedule.
Q: It sounds like you’ll send me these cool resources the week before I teach it. What if I want them a bit earlier than that?
A: No problem! We can adjust your schedule so you receive it two or three weeks in advance. Just let us know! Reach out to econinbox@mru.org.
Q: It seems like I can only sign up for one course at a time. What if I teach multiple courses?
A: Great question! We’re working on a better solution for this. In the meantime, sign up for one course and then simply add topics for both/multiple classes to that schedule. If you’ve already signed up for one course for fall and would like to add another course, you can update your schedule here. If you have any questions, just reach out to
econinbox@mru.org and we’ll help you out.
Q: I really like the concept but I honestly don’t know my schedule for the whole semester. Can I still sign up?
A: Absolutely! It’s ok if you’re not sure what you’re teaching. After you sign up and fill out the first few weeks, you can always return to EconInbox’s syllabus builder app throughout the semester to edit your schedule.
Q: It sounds like you’ll send me these cool resources the week before I teach it. What if I want them a bit earlier than that?
A: No problem! We can adjust your schedule so you receive it two or three weeks in advance. Just let us know! Reach out to econinbox@mru.org.