Interactive Course, Video-based course
Microeconomics -14 half-hour videos, 14 lessons
Macroeconomics - 14 half-hour videos, 14 lessons
Video Preview / Course Demonstrations
Preview Video
Microeconomics: Interactive Course Demo
Macroeconomics: Interactive Course Demo
Choices & Change is a distance learning series on Economics—packaged as a two-course/semester version split between Macroeconomics and Microeconomics. This engaging package offers online course options that enhances the student's experience and success with the course. Designed with flexibility in mind, the series offers instructors the choice of using it as a video-based course, without the need for an asynchronous approach as well.
The lessons in Choices & Change, both macro and micro, use economists, business professionals, consumers and other experts to discuss the development of economic theories. Video lessons reinforce important concepts presented in the textbooks. Graphs are developed and utilized when appropriate. Exercises in the telecourse guide encourage analytical thinking in terms of everyday life. Instructors have the option to integrate Internet resources into the course such as statistics, research, student chat rooms, virtual field trips, interviews, and the latest views from some of the world's leading economists.
Lesson Descriptions
• Microeconomics Lessons
• Macroeconomics Lessons
Design and Production Team
Choices & Change was developed by veteran distance learning professionals in concert with the content specialist and members of the local, national, and professional faculty advisory committees. Educators, producers, videographers, video and print editors, a musicologist, production assistants, scriptwriters, and an instructional designer comprised the production team for the series.
Content Specialist - Ranita Wyatt has experiences in all areas of distance education as a student, a teacher, and developer of economics telecourses. Her master's degree in economics is from West Texas State University (now West Texas A&M). She has been a lecturer at the University of North Texas since 1990 and an adjunct faculty member with the Dallas County Community College District since 1991.
Producer - Ken Harrison has written, produced, and directed feature films and network television documentaries, as well as several instructional video projects. His work has been seen by international audiences and has been awarded top recognition at film festivals throughout the country.
Project Director - Linda Condos has experience that spans two continents, coming to the United States having served in a management position with Education Television in New Zealand. Her background in education includes roles as programmer, program manager, executive producer of telecourses, project manager, and producer of local and national programs.
Project Director - Craig Mayes has thirty years of film and video experience in feature films, network series (PBS) and documentaries, as well as several instructional video projects. His work has been seen by international audiences and has been awarded top recognition at film festivals throughout the country.
Instructional Designer - Janice Christophel brings twelve years of experience in education and training to the project. Most recently, she developed courseware and supervised staff trainers for a pharmaceutical software vendor. She received her BA degree from Miami University and her MS degree in Computer Education and Cognitive Systems from the University of North Texas.
Executive-in-Charge - Pamela K. Quinn is Assistant Chancellor for the DCCCD's R. Jan LeCroy Center for Educational Telecommunications. With a BS from the University of Kansas and an MS from Texas A&M University-Commerce, she has over 25 years of experience in education and television, teaching, public broadcasting, and administration. She has served as a board member and consultant on numerous national organizations promoting educational telecommunications.
Gus Herring and John Pharr, both economics professors at DCCCD colleges, assisted in the development of content for this production.
Advisory Committee
Choices & Change was developed through the efforts of many outstanding individuals dedicated to economic education. Among those who made a significant contribution to the project are these members of the advisory committee:
National Advisors
• Margot Blair Biery, Tarrant County College, Fort Worth, Texas
• Steve Cobb, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas
• J. Michael Finger, World Bank, Washington, DC
• Gail Heyne Hafer, St. Louis Community College, St. Louis, Missouri
• K. Wayne Hast, Director, Economic Education, Federal Reserve Bank, Dallas, Texas
• James N. McGowan, Jr., Belleville Area College, Belleville, Illinois
• Libby Rittenberg, Colorado College, Colorado Springs, Colorado
• Dennis Shannon, Belleville Area College, Belleville, Illinois
• Joseph Smiley, St. Petersburg Junior College, St. Petersburg, Florida
• John Robert Somers, Portland Community College, Portland, Oregon
• David M. Striefford, St. Louis Community College, St. Louis, Missouri
Local Advisors (Dallas County Community College District)
• Gus Herring, Brookhaven College
• John Pharr, Cedar Valley College
• Gerald Shilling, Eastfield College
• Curtis Clarke, Mountain View College
• Uzo Agulefo, North Lake College
• Dave Shorow, Richland College