Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

• I have been studying for these tests but I am still doing poorly, what should I do?
  Have you watched the video on study tips? Have you watched the introductory video? Are you using the PowerPoint tutorials for each chapter? Have you watched my lecture videos for each chapter or listened to the MP3 file for each chapter? Have you scrutinized each missed question on the tests and asked me questions about any you do not understand?
• The tests and my points are no longer showing under Canvas, but I can still see everything else. Is there a reason for this?
  Usually this is a cache problem. Clear your cache by deleting your browsing history and then refresh the page and I think it will work for you. If this fails reboot your computer. If this fails then contact the Canvas Administrator at at 540 674-3600 ext. 4371.
• If I decided to not listen to the MP3 lectures, would it hurt my chances of doing well?
  I am not an auditory learner at all. I've already downloaded the powerpoints and everything. There are three parts to this course: the textbook, the lecture, and the supplemental materials, like the Power Point tutorials. The purpose of the textbook is to give you the details, the purpose of the lecture is to provide you with an overview, and the supplemental materials will give you the practice. In order to do well is takes all three. If you do not attend the live lectures my suggestion is to listen to the MP3 lecture files on you computer as you go along with the lecture PowerPoint slides. Also, never hesitate to email me with questions about anything along the way.
• What does scrutinize test questions mean?
  Scrutinize means to look over any missed questions and make sure you understand why the correct answer is the correct answer. You can view any previous tests by clicking on your test score under Grades in Canvas. After looking at the textbook you still do not understand why the stated answer is the correct answer you can email me with the course you are enrolled in, the name of the test, and the number of the question. I can then review the question from your test and either explain the answer, or, if it is a bad question, give you the two points.
• Can I take the Macro Economics course, Econ 201, the same time I take the Micro Economics course, Econ 202?
  Yes, Just treat them as two courses.
• I have been out of town and I was unable to take the test by the due date, can I still take it?
  Yes, these tests are available all of the time for you to take. There is no penalty for taking a test beyond the due date.
• If my grade average is to my liking at the end of the semester do I still need to take the final exam?
  Your grade will be based on a point system and not your test average. There are several ways to accumulate points in this course. Click on "How is My Final Grade Calculated" on your course web site for a full explanation.
• Why does the amount supplied increase when the price goes up?
  When viewing demand and supply curves you must keep in mind that these curves represent two different groups of people. The demand curve represents demanders and the supply curve represents suppliers. The supply curve is upward sloping, that is, when the price goes up the quantity supplied goes up, because at the higher prices the supplier can make more money, therefore there is more incentive when the price rises and less incentive when the price declines. This is so because we always assume that when the price changes everything else stays the same. This is explained in the Chapter 3 video and reinforced in the Chapter 3 PP tutorial. There is also a good explanation of this in the generic videos available on the course' web site. If you have an audio player, the MP3 file for Chapter 3 gives a very concise explanation of the relationship between demand and supply.
• I was just curious, the tests that I will take on line, are they similar to the tutorials on your web page?
  The key to doing well in economics is to understand the vocabulary, have a working knowledge of the principles, and then to use your reasoning power to work through to the correct answer to a test question. Your memory is your worst enemy in this course. I would read the chapter over lightly, then again after you work with the learning materials. The PP tutorials are best done on the computer so you do not see the answer to the questions the first time you read the question; you must press Enter to see the explanation of the answer. This will help you refrain from relying on your memory and aid in your understanding.