Review Videos

Just in case you haven't been paying attention all year, watch the following videos for a crash course in AP Macroeconomics.

Practice Exam Answers

Below are links to the answers to the various Practice Exams that you have completed.  Look over the answers and come to class with questions.

2010 MC
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9GG2MQzguFQdVBydWxOM0dGa00/view?usp=sharing


(Explanations Powerpoint, although the questions are out of order, pretty good intro review)
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9GG2MQzguFQRmhMcl9jbUhxVTQ/view?usp=sharing

2005 MC
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9GG2MQzguFQWlltVzg4T2tCRUE/view?usp=sharing


Take Home Practice Test
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9GG2MQzguFQa1JrOVpidkRJbnM/view?usp=sharing

Comparative Advantage Practice

Here is the link to some practice questions for the quiz tomorrow.  The answers will be uploaded shortly.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9GG2MQzguFQeTFOSy11VFdYVDA/view?usp=sharing

Here are the answers.  I will answer any questions tomorrow in extra help before school.  Good Luck!

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9GG2MQzguFQV3hVcXZxSUVQNXM/view?usp=sharing

Loanable Funds are REALly Fun!

In class we talked about the Market for Loanable Funds.   The links below provide additional information about the graphs that might be useful on a pop quiz.

http://welkerswikinomics.com/blog/2012/05/08/loanable-funds-vs-money-market-whats-the-difference/

 http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/members/courses/teachers_corner/49477.html

AD/AS Graphing HW Answers

Here are the solutions to the AD/AS review sheet from class today.  The question numbers are different but the questions themselves are the same.  Send me an email or tweet if you have specific questions.  Good luck with your studying!

 
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9GG2MQzguFQX0tPZHdWdWFNSWc/view?usp=sharing

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9GG2MQzguFQVERfc19NLVFxeUE/view?usp=sharing

Privatize Social Security?

Social Security is running out. This is a fact echoed by the Social Security Administration.  Projections indicate that by 2033, the fund will be empty and workers paying into the system will provide enough to pay for 75% of promised benefits. With such a significant problem on the horizon, it is strange that so few politicians are talking about the issue, and even fewer are offering solutions.

A common suggestion to "fix" the looming problem of Social Security insolvency is to Privatize the entire system.  This proposal would mean significant changes to the "safety net" that millions of Americans rely on to survive.

Discussion Questions:

1. What does "privatizing Social Security" actually mean?
2. Explain the strongest argument for privatizing Social Security.
3. Explain the strongest argument against privatizing Social Security.
4. Where do you stand on the issue?  Explain your perspective.

Use the following links in addition to others that you can find to help build your arguments.

http://socialsecurity.procon.org/

http://www.brookings.edu/research/papers/1997/03/saving-burtless

http://www.cato.org/publications/social-security-choice-paper/privatizing-social-security-big-boost-poor

http://www.cato.org/research/social-security

https://www.stlouisfed.org/publications/cb/articles/?id=1578

Is Technology Ruining Society

Human beings have 3 basic requirements for survival: food, clothing, and shelter. (yes and air) Most people will argue that this list is incomplete without including Cellular phone.  While it is true that the cell phone is the last thing people look at before going to sleep and the first thing people look at when they wake up, it was only about 14 years ago when a cell phone was seen as a luxury instead of a necessity.  Imagine a time when people had to go long periods of time without knowing the name of that actor in that movie, or when people had to actually look at a map (or visit a local AAA) before a long road trip.  We have come a long way as a people, and the rate at which technology is changing our lives is increasing exponentially.  With technology developers so focused on what they can do, perhaps it is time to start questioning what they should do.  Is technology always a good thing?  Are we still progressing or is technology actually ruining society?

In order to develop your argument, you should read each of the articles below.  In addition, you should research the topic further in order to defend your position on whether technology is helping or hurting society.  You will then answer the following questions:

1) Explain one way in which technology has been positive for society.
2) Explain one way in which technology has been negative for society.
3) Do you believe that technology is more beneficial or damaging for young people?  Explain.
4) Overall, do you believe that technology is ruining society?  Why or why not?

http://www.inquisitr.com/1468612/steve-jobs-didnt-let-his-kids-use-iphones-or-ipads-heres-why/
http://ideas.time.com/2012/11/29/how-to-use-technology-to-make-you-smarter/
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/mr-personality/201305/is-technology-making-us-stupid-and-smarter
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/how-smart-technology-can-make-us-dumb/
http://news.usc.edu/54256/the-benefits-and-drawbacks-of-online-technology/
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/steve-nelson/too-much-technology-is-bad-for-the-brain_b_5448015.html
http://www.usnews.com/news/blogs/data-mine/2014/02/27/is-the-internet-bad-for-society-and-relationships
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/shelly-palmer/technology-good-or-bad_b_4981309.html
http://news.essilorusa.com/stories/detail/children-and-technology-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly