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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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351 - 375 of 505 Reviews for Model Thinking

By Dzmitry P

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May 22, 2019

I like this course.

By Pradeep S

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May 14, 2019

Excellent course !!

By Neil M

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Apr 8, 2022

Packed with wisdom

By Bishu G

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Dec 9, 2020

Exceptional course

By Jose J L

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Dec 29, 2018

Outstanding Course

By Javier G

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Sep 16, 2020

Excellent course!

By YU Y

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Oct 18, 2017

Excellent course.

By IVO R D S

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Aug 1, 2017

Curso perfeito!!!

By Deleted A

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Nov 16, 2015

Simply excellent!

By CMdeCarli

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Dec 22, 2021

Very good vourse

By sourik p

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Aug 24, 2021

very good course

By Marco A P M

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Jun 6, 2019

excellent course

By okoli l

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Aug 9, 2016

Awesome Neh!!!!!

By Vishnu R

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Mar 17, 2016

Excellent course

By ADRIANO A

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Dec 28, 2015

Great Course !!!

By Tsvetan I

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Mar 29, 2020

Exceptional +++

By Kirakosyan M

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Jun 21, 2019

Very intersting

By José L P

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Mar 17, 2024

Life changing!

By Tim D

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Jun 8, 2023

Useful course.

By Chris B

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Feb 17, 2018

A great course

By Matias H

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Jan 9, 2016

Great teacher!

By ZHENG Z

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Jan 28, 2024

So inspiring!

By cgcba007

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Jun 25, 2020

利用模型来替代不可靠的直觉

By Stefan P

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Mar 10, 2017

Great course!