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Formal education is only one way in which we develop the skills
which increase our productivity and therefore value to our society.
Shrewd people recognize that every experience can contribute. They know
that we are always students, always teachers, and always managers. They
think about every experience and ask, "What can I learn from that
?"
As you proceeded through your childhood, you may have been unaware
that your parents and neighbors were constantly teaching you, and that
your school teachers had carefully planned every lesson. Every game
and exercise had a purpose. Soon, you will be entirely on your own to
make your own success or failure. There will be no teachers and few
mentors. To continue to learn and advance, you must be able to motivate
and direct yourself.
YOU MUST BECOME A "SELF-SUSTAINING" LEARNER.
Making the transition from a dependent learner to an independent learner
is the purpose of the college experience. The fundamental objective of
every course and program is to equip you with the ability to learn for
yourself and by yourself. In other words, the purpose of this course is
to enhance your creativity, the ability to solve problems. Creativity
is the most valuable ability in a modern society, valuable in terms of
personal satisfaction and in terms of financial and status rewards. And
creativity is a learned skill --- a process of problem solving. There
are six steps to solving problems.
- identification of the problem
- collection of information
- evaluation of alternative solutions
- selection of the best solution
- implementation of the best solution
- evaluation and modification
As we proceed to study specific topics in International Economics, you
should ask: "How will this help me to solve problems ?" So,
we want to acquire some general skills, "creativity", and some
specific skills, "tools of international economics analysis",
in this course. For many students, this will be more difficult than it
needs to be, because they are unfamiliar or unpracticed in learning skills.
Let's briefly review those techniques to ease your learning. Remember
that the entire purpose of this course is for each student to achieve
their learning goals. I can teach, but only you can learn.
YOU DETERMINE YOUR SUCCESS !
LISTENING
The common problems of listening are the disorganization of the speaker
and the inattention of the listener. (No criticisms here; it's natural
for speakers to talk to themselves, and listeners to let their minds wander.)
However, there are four techniques which you can use which will help you
to capture the important points in a lecture:
1) Focus on conclusions --- ask: Why ? What's your point ? Where are we
going ? If necessary, demand a statement from the speaker of what the
speaker is trying to demonstrate and why you should be interested. You
will follow the argument better if you know where its leading.
2) Look for key concepts --- What is the speaker's outline ? What steps
are necessary to reach the conclusions ?
3) Don't get hung up on teaching tricks, such as graphs and equations,
or on details and asides. Stay focused on the key ideas. Then, the presentation
will be easily understood.
4) Ask questions. Questions help to bring you back into the picture, and
they help the speaker to monitor your understanding. Ask questions such
as: Is this your conclusion ? Are these the steps to your conclusion ?
O.K.; How do your techniques help us to reach those conclusions ?
SPEAKING
Common problems are failure to focus on the needs of your listener, and
listener inattention. As a speaker, you must motivate, inform, and remind
your listener. Several techniques are useful:
1) State your purpose and outline your points. Example, "I want to
define money. I have three points. They are ..."
2) Use verbal queues to alert your listener. Example, "Its very important
that ..."
3) State, then demonstrate.
4) Monitor your audience. Look for inattention and for confusion.
READING
Written communication is passive; it is linear and offers no emphasis.
The reader must provide the enthusiasm and energy. Again, some tricks
can help to be a more effective reader:
1) Look for the organization. What are the topics in the reading ? In
what order are they presented ? In other words, what's important ? And
where is the author leading me ?
2) Identify the important ideas. To facilitate this, author's often include
chapter outlines and summaries; look at them before you read the details
!
3) Now, you're ready to read. Focus on the big points, not the minor ones
!
WRITING.
No one was born a great writer, but communication with your reader will
be essential for your success in this course, as in all aspects of your
life. As with other areas of communication, the key is the golden rule,
"Do unto others as you would have them do to you". In other
words, consider your reader.
1) Begin with an outline which identifies your key ideas and then orders
them logically.
2) Place each key idea in a separate paragraph as a way of signaling your
reader.
3) Construct an introduction which informs the reader of your plan.
4) Append a conclusion which summarizes your main points.
5) As you proceed, choose your ideas carefully. They must be provable,
and evidence must be provided. Unsubstantiated statements, ambiguities,
and hyperboles must be avoided. They will damage your credibility and
detract from your best points.
LEARNING.
Remember the purpose is to learn; the method is to study. Learning should
not be difficult. In fact, it should be easy. However, the more unfamiliar
the necessary way of the thinking, the more difficult it will appear.
This is natural and biologic. Learning entirely new ways of thinking actually
creates new pathways in your brain. Once created, these paths remain and
facilitate similar thinking in the future. Your friend's greater facility
is not a sign of greater intelligence or inevitable success, but only
greater familiarity with the needed way of thinking. GIVE YOURSELF
THE CHANCE to develop these pathways. Its all a matter of practice
!
1) Attend class and be active.
2) Use study groups. Discuss the ideas with your friends. Work them through.
3) Do the assigned reading and read newspapers and magazines on
similar topics.
4) Prepare the examination questions.
5) If you are still confused, bring your study group to my office for
further clarification.
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