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Learner Reviews & Feedback for Model Thinking by University of Michigan

4.8
stars
2,241 ratings

About the Course

We live in a complex world with diverse people, firms, and governments whose behaviors aggregate to produce novel, unexpected phenomena. We see political uprisings, market crashes, and a never ending array of social trends. How do we make sense of it? Models. Evidence shows that people who think with models consistently outperform those who don't. And, moreover people who think with lots of models outperform people who use only one. Why do models make us better thinkers? Models help us to better organize information - to make sense of that fire hose or hairball of data (choose your metaphor) available on the Internet. Models improve our abilities to make accurate forecasts. They help us make better decisions and adopt more effective strategies. They even can improve our ability to design institutions and procedures. In this class, I present a starter kit of models: I start with models of tipping points. I move on to cover models explain the wisdom of crowds, models that show why some countries are rich and some are poor, and models that help unpack the strategic decisions of firm and politicians. The models covered in this class provide a foundation for future social science classes, whether they be in economics, political science, business, or sociology. Mastering this material will give you a huge leg up in advanced courses. They also help you in life. Here's how the course will work. For each model, I present a short, easily digestible overview lecture. Then, I'll dig deeper. I'll go into the technical details of the model. Those technical lectures won't require calculus but be prepared for some algebra. For all the lectures, I'll offer some questions and we'll have quizzes and even a final exam. If you decide to do the deep dive, and take all the quizzes and the exam, you'll receive a Course Certificate. If you just decide to follow along for the introductory lectures to gain some exposure that's fine too. It's all free. And it's all here to help make you a better thinker!...

Top reviews

JG

Apr 7, 2018

This is a great introduction to the types and uses of models. The lectures are clear, and the examples given show good applicability to real world problems. Thanks for making it available!

BG

Jan 25, 2019

I learned much more than anticipated. In fact I've already started exploring areas of my work that model thinking would apply and how to use the tools presented in this class. Highly recommend!

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226 - 250 of 505 Reviews for Model Thinking

By miguel b

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Jul 12, 2017

I really love how this course covers this interesting and useful subject.

By Eduardo A S J

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Nov 14, 2015

Great course. Useful for a broad range of subjects. Helpful even in life.

By Oliver S

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Aug 17, 2016

love it great general start, gentle introduction in all the right ways

By Kadir O

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Oct 25, 2015

This course is exellent for whom want to be a leader in their country.

By Xiaoqing C

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Mar 14, 2020

Very interesting and really helped me to understand the world better.

By Rajvardhan D

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Nov 9, 2017

Great material and clear explanations with a lot of relevant examples

By John L

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Dec 11, 2016

This course really informs us a great idea ----- the value of a model

By Liz M

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Apr 22, 2021

Great takes on how multiple domains can be applied to other courses!

By BADR A

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Mar 10, 2021

The Course is organized, helpful and professor kind and professional

By Christian G H

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Feb 22, 2019

Extraordinary. I was a pretty good thinker but now I am way better.

By Deleted A

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Feb 11, 2019

This is the course that I recall many times in my work and studies

By Juan P S

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Jan 12, 2016

It's not just for good citizens, it's also for good politicians !

By Anastasios P

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Feb 19, 2023

One of my favorite courses in modeling. Learned so many things!

By Jiajia X

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May 22, 2017

i love it

it's confertabel,ican't say any word to discrable.....

By Nabiha S

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Apr 8, 2016

Very useful in getting to know or getting started in modelling.

By Tibet

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Apr 23, 2020

Very explanatory entrance level of modeling. Great instructor!

By rudy h

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Jun 25, 2017

very good course i will recommend it to all the people i coach

By fiona c

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Jul 6, 2016

Clear concise and very interesting. I can't believe it's free

By Karthikeyan S

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Mar 28, 2016

Excellent course. Great professor. Really enjoying the course

By Mohamed Y

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Feb 16, 2016

This is one of the best courses I have ever take in thinking.

By Jatin B

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Jul 27, 2020

This was an amazing course. helped me learn a lot of models.

By stephenli

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Feb 19, 2016

great course, interesting , many new perspective over worlds

By Mohammad A

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May 27, 2020

Brilliant course. It will change the way you see the world!

By Aman

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Mar 4, 2018

Great course! This can help you in making better decisions.

By Omprakash G G

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Nov 27, 2015

Great breadth and appropriate depth facilitating easy grasp