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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

RK

Nov 18, 2019

This is a fantastic course that I would recommend to anyone interested in learning how to think better. It introduced me to many topics that i want to learn more about. Thank you, Professor Page!

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!

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301 - 325 of 505 Reviews for Model Thinking

By Ton v O

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May 30, 2019

Excellent, learn a lot and entertaining

By Foto K

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Jun 28, 2023

I like this course and enjoy learn it.

By Audie D

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Nov 11, 2017

Changes the way you think about models

By Adrian A

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Jan 29, 2017

Simply excellent from start to finish.

By Steven B

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Dec 19, 2016

Excellent in depth course on modelling

By Chomay C

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Sep 4, 2020

Model Thinking is an excellent course

By Prasanth S K

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Aug 13, 2025

fun to listen too and intriguing too

By Àngels B

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Mar 1, 2020

Very interesting, clear and useful.

By Alexander E

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Dec 2, 2015

Brilliant subject, awesome teacher!

By AHMED I O

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Apr 3, 2021

EXCELLENT, USEFUL COURSE, WE DONE.

By Dzmitry P

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Dec 10, 2016

Love this course! Thank you a lot!

By Fadhilah S K G

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Nov 24, 2015

very useful and interesting course

By Francisco J D E

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Mar 26, 2025

Very good course I recommend it!!

By Noha A A

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Oct 8, 2016

Very informative and interesting!

By Ricardo M d F

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Sep 20, 2023

Curso bem inovador, parabéns!!!

By Jose D

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May 19, 2022

Not easy , but very interesting

By Xue, L

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Jun 17, 2018

great course, inspires me a lot

By Massimo Z

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May 24, 2017

Useful and well done.

Thank you

By 邱暉凱

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Sep 1, 2020

It's great but a bit too easy

By Patrick P

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Aug 2, 2020

I wish I could take it again!

By Marko M

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Aug 30, 2018

Great and interesting course!

By Konstantinos M

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Mar 20, 2017

Probably my favourite course.

By Pete S

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Jul 9, 2016

Scott E Page is totally cool!

By Wael E

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May 8, 2016

Fantastic, I love this course

By Ludo S

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Mar 19, 2019

Essential for everyday life!