Introduction:Why Simulation and Excel?

This book is meant to be read and used by professors and economists. It assumes familiarity with economic theory and data analysis, so it will not make sense to a student or beginner. It is a manual for utilizing teaching materials that are available on the Web at http://www.depauw.edu/learn/ macroexcel. It is assumed that the professor has a favorite textbook or readings that neither this book nor the online files will replace. Instead, delivery of content viaMicrosoft Excel will supplement and improve the teaching and learning process. After explaining what is available and how to use it, this introduction presents a pedagogical argument in favor of simulation and Excel. Much of our teaching in economics is based on how we were taught and what we feel works, but advances in neuroscience make clear that many of our strategies and methods are flawed.