Nowakonomics

Resource materials

2009-10-12T20:00:00.002+01:00

Earlier in my 'blog history' I described how I will be using Mind Maps and textbooks, my tutor, the internet etc to learn.

I have also been shown this video - which, although a little fast, is useful for revision. Personally I'd have thought a clearly introduced schedule and logical development along this schedule, would have been a better way to proceed, but it takes all sorts.

I have a heavy cold and thus have not been positng as much as I would like. I have been doing many many multiple choices questions on elasticity etc. I have also been reading the paper and watching the (Economics) news.

My quest continues!

Slipping

2009-10-09T23:35:00.002+01:00

I didn't post yesterday. That was poor. My mistake.

I didn't forget. I just didn't do it - I was busy doing Maths.

But I recognise the importance so will try not do it again.

Ok what to write about in Economics?

I have been reading about lethal gas being stored under villages. This is a good example of externalities isn't it? The storage (by the government affecting others (the villagers) and maybe even killing them.)

This whole idea of pollution and the treatment of it is an interesting one. Whether to use permits, taxes, advertising, fines, subsidies etc - or maybe all of them.

In that vein I went ot the About.com site to look at the Five Term Paper suggestions. It's a mess to read owing to the advertising, but the Kyoto Protocol section is good. Enough resources there to make you read ahead and round your subject.

I also liked the Economic Impact of SUVs as this is Transport which is paper 3 - IF I decide to do the A2 level in January!

So, in terms of actual chapters: not much.

In terms of 'further reading round and of the subject' - a lot.

Supply and Demand

2009-10-07T22:45:00.002+01:00

Today I have been practising supply and demand. I did the multiple choice on tutor2u and also the Bized one. My answers were not all right but I understand my mistakes.

I now feel confident with shifts and extensions and contraction etc.

Shift = right = increase
Price change = movement along
Always remember ceteris paribus

Bit distracted!

2009-10-06T21:20:00.002+01:00

I have spent quite a lot of time today with lessons in Maths and Politics. This has meant that Economics has taken a back seat - sorry!

So I have used my time well - but there hasn't been very much of it.

In my 1 hour I.....

1. Started reading through all of these...

2. Read a couple of articles on the Economy

3. Read through the specification again

4. Glanced at some extensions and shifts (spent about 49 seconds on Tom's video again!)

That is that for today. Time for some leisure.

I am going for a quiet drink with my friends.

NO MIND MAP BUT THERE IS A DAILY BLOG!

Off we go again!

2009-10-06T07:49:00.003+01:00

Interesting article about Tesco - do supermarkets gain during recessionary times? This is despite the fact that if you ever go to a supermarket you spend more than in a corner shop?

Is demand for Tesco products income-elastic?

Is there much loyalty or are Sainsbury and Tesco highly cross-elastic?

Given imperfect knowledge in the customer, once inside the shop, assuming credit cards, is demand for most products price elastic or is there a tipping point when you realise that products have gone up?

TV-based competition is concentrating on price comparisons - many goods. Building up an image?

Advertising shifts the demand curve - but also affects the elasticity.

My daily blog

2009-10-05T23:01:00.003+01:00

I am standing to attention because I am doing my duty!

I am writing my daily blog.

My journal.

My schedule.

My life.

What should I write about?

Well, this is supposed to be an achieving blog, a motivating blog a 'something-to-be-proud-of-blog' so I will write only about positives.

I have read and made notes on the whole of chapters 1 and (drum roll) two of the OCR book. So I am now an unacknowledged expert on demand, supply, elasticity but also scarcity, specialisation, choice and economic systems.

I have also made a list of all the key words in the AS syllabus (Economics) and will - promise - make sure tomorrow I have written down all the definitions.

I have especially made sure I understand all of this and this and this.

As always I am closing today's blog with news that I have been reading articles from here and here.

I am also very glad tos ee I got Chris's question right

That's it for the day - time for Politics homework!

Task accomplished!

2009-10-05T01:43:00.002+01:00

Mock done (rehash of notes)

Mind map done

Chapter 1 OCR Economics - done

Syllabus printed off and key terms highlighted

Read bits of this and this for 'general economic knowledge'.

My first Mind Map

2009-10-04T19:57:00.000+01:00

Re-sits

2009-10-04T16:27:00.003+01:00

Somone emailed me about my 'strategy' of taking exams until I pass well. Something about Universities knowing how many sittings it took and how this would go against me.

That's rubbish - unless applying to Oxford/Cambridge.

I went to Tom's blog and saw a link to a discussion at The Student Room.

"No, the only uni that looks at UMS at the moment is Cambridge. You don't have to declare your AS results, but I think they'll assume they're not very good if your referee doesn't mention them in your reference!"

and

"and my schools policy is to not let us put our AS results, they only put our predicted AS and i think mine will be AABb and my A2s will be AAAb/AABb"

As I am doing AS and A2 in one year my UCAS Reference will be my predicted grades for June 2010. Jan 2010 will not even be mentioned.

The Telegraph said:

"The good news, and it is good news, is that redemption is possible. That B can quickly be converted into an A, that U into a C, if you are prepared to swallow your pride, buckle down and resit the papers. Think of it as taking a second driving test after failing the first one. It is a nuisance, but the prize is worth it."

Also look at the best answer here.

So if re-sitting the whole A level is fine then re-sitting AS is also fine. It seems obvious to me that the more times I take something the greater the chance of a higher grade - but this is all too early for me for A2.

But I am definitely taking all my AS levels in January!

* Note to Chris - it's costing me all this money so I'd better do well!

My initial notes

2009-10-04T15:11:00.000+01:00

This is what I covered in my first tutorial:

a. scarcity and choice
b. opportunity cost + diagram
c. government policy - inflation and growth
d. PLANNING.

We also spent some time going through this article and my homework for Wednesday (in addition to all the other things) is to read through and summarise the article. The article is also featured here.

My schedule

2009-10-04T14:46:00.001+01:00

Firstly, and most importantly, I have to check my blog links every day. At the beginning of the day and at the end of the day. I must also comment on other blogs where this is relevant.

Secndly I am starting with OCR Economicss by Bamford but as I am doing A2 then I will also support what I read with the other two textbooks.

My plan is:

Finish chapter 1 by 8 October.
Chapter 2 by 13 October
Chapter 3 by 1 November. (This is a harder chapter as it is also part of A2 so i want to make sure that I understand everything in it.)

Chapter 4 by 10 November
Chapter 5 by 14 November
Chapter 6 by 1 December

Maybe I won't keep to this but this is the plan. I will also be doing regular mock exams (in my own time - probably on Sunday.) Chris is giving me a weekly test in a sealed envelope and I do this to time (my first tutorial was this morning and I do the test this evening. It's basic apparently as I am only just beginning.)

I am going to do my exams at Greene's College - the closing date is here. If I have not made up my mind about this I can always enter as late entry - it's expensive but it gives me more flexibility.

I am not sure whether to do A2 in January - this would give me experience but maybe my grade would be low. I may enter anyway and if I decide not to do it then I simply will withdraw. At least by entering I will keep my options open!

Probably the most important document I have is the OCR syllabus. I am spending this afternoon looking round the OCR website as by learning about the syllabus and the site I can be better prepared.

So - by the end of today:

a. revise my initial notes
b. do my first ever mock!
c. read through the syllabus
d. try and skim read various chapters
e. download and learn the mmap programme

Busy day!

Tools

2009-10-04T14:43:00.000+01:00

In addition to tutorials and textbooks I will also be doing regular mock examinations. I have been told I must learn how to use Mind Manager. I am going to download the trial version this evening.

I have been told I must also post about my schedule of work i.e. what I will be studying and when. Apparently 'planning is essential to success'.

Textbooks

2009-10-04T14:37:00.000+01:00

I have not done Economics before - but I am ambitious. So I decided to spend some money on textbooks rather than have many many lessons. I have 15 hours a week, covering three A levels. Without these textbooks I would probably need more lessons!

I have bought this textbook and also this one and this one. I also have various electronic books from this website.

In addition I have linked to various blogs (as seen on the side) both other students and teachers too. I intend to visit them whenever they are updated as they are my living textbook.

I am reading the AS OCR book today and I hope to be able to cover a chapter a day. I see some people have been summarising the chapters - this will be very useful.

The beginning

2009-10-04T14:16:00.000+01:00

I am a new student studying A level Economics. I am following the OCR board. I am one of Chris's students and he has told me I must post a blog at least once a day, detailing my progress.

The initial aim is to take the AS in January though I am thinking of taking the A2 as well. Unless I score 100% (very unlikely!) I will be retaking the As in June 2010.

This blog is my record of study, where I will put my homework, my thoughts, my comments etc.

I also study Politics and Mathematics.

I hope to go to LSE in September 2010.

This is the end of my first post.