Paul Krugman and Paul Romer are collaborating on a new online economics textbook called "economics." The textbook will be an introductory textbook which can be purchased in hardback form for $100 or in virtual form for $60. Today, a representative from Aplia, Romer's company, is coming to my office to show me the book.
I would like some assurances that the book is not heavily skewed or partisan, since Krugman's the author. With Romer as the co-author, some of that concern is mitigated, but Romer from what I understand will only be developing the online version, not the actual textbook. Krugman and his wife, another economist at Princeton, will be writing it. If I can get some advance reviews, though, I may adopt it for Fall 2004, or Spring 2005. In all reality, with Aplia, you don't even need a textbook. A skilled lecturer could easily forego assigning a textbook by using Aplia, if you could provide students with your lecture notes. The software is that comprehensive and user-friendly. I've not wanted to do that, simply because I don't feel confident that my lectures are sufficient. But I would be interested in assigning something like this, especially since it's cheaper.
My other concern is as to the quality of the online textbook. Studying from it would be difficult. You'd have to be at your computer, and for me, I cannot read from a computer screen for extended periods of time - at least, not technical prose. The pixels hurt my eyes for some reason. It would have to be fantastic to make me want to assign it. (Still, they are offering a hardback version, so that too is mitigated).
Posted by scott at February 25, 2004 10:36 AM | TrackBackSo when you teach you get to pick the book?
Posted by: Robi at February 25, 2004 12:44 PMSecond year student teachers do not get to pick the book. I was given Frank and Bernanke's Principles of Macroeconomics, as was Tom. Micro teachers are given (at least at this point) Mankiw. But, next year, after the first year, you can switch if you want.
There's some accumulated capital you get from teaching, so there's probably not a lot of switching. Still, the sales rep from Aplia was here a minute ago and showed me Krugman and Romer's new book (it's actually Krugman's book, and Romer is just writing the Internet stuff to tie-in with it). I haven't had a chance to read Krugman's yet, but I mentioned to the sales rep my concernes that Krugman's overt partisan biases would make their way into the book. She said Romer felt the same way, and since Romer is from Chicago and of a different persuasion, politically, he was concerned. But he read the textbook and said it's fine.
I may or may not end up switching, though. I've got a zillion books in here, and some of them I'd like to try out - like Taylor's macro book. His, apparently, has much more of a normative kick to it, which I'd like to try. That's the one Lastrapes used to use.
Posted by: scott cunningham at February 25, 2004 01:16 PMI dropped Krugman and Obstfeld in my graduate trade class b/c Krugman jumped off the deep end - I doubt he feels the impact, but I feel better and in the end international trade is international trade.
There are two levels of concern:a) does ideology creep into the textbook, and is that okay; b) is it okay for a teacher to shun a book because of out-of-textbook statements by the author. I actually don't mind ideology in the textbook - I actually shun Krugman for his ramblings in the guise of an economist.
That's probably backwards from the way it should be, but it is what it is. I haven't taught principles in so long that I am unfamiliar with any of the new principle's texts - Krugman may be cashing in on some fame, a la Stiglitz and Mankiw, and may not offer anything on the margin - except for the cheap price for an "electronic book."
As for switching texts - if you are teaching economics, you are teaching with the textbook. It is a commonplace to initially teach with the book you are assigned with, but you will slowly (or not so slowly) come up with your our stories, examples, and anecdotes. Eventually you are not teaching from any particular textbook.
When I teach undergraduates, I tend to test from lecture and not specifically from the text (we don't have common tests at the principles level) and this has the double benefit of not requiring any particular textbook - students can purchase old editions, check out of the library, etc. - and motivating additional attendance. While students can read the/a book and follow what is being discussed in class (inelastic demand is inelastic demand in just about every textbook) the textbook is not a direct substitute for class.
In my experience, the differences across textbooks are more cosmetic (prettier graphs, etc) than substantial - most of the time the books are too long anyway as they attempt to cover as much of the potential market as possible. The electronic text is an interesting experiment, if it allows you to unbundle the chapters to include only those that you will be teaching.
Posted by: Craig at February 25, 2004 08:41 PM