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Learner Reviews & Feedback for Model Thinking by University of Michigan

4.8
stars
2,219 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

CM

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Very interesting! The teacher explains really well and even though his expertise is social science, he always explains how this thinking can pertain to other realms.

BG

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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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251 - 275 of 501 Reviews for Model Thinking

By TRACE F

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Feb 4, 2016

Great course covering modeling techniques and perspective!

By 陳謝裕

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Nov 21, 2021

An excellent mind-opening experience!! Highly recommended

By Michael O

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Oct 17, 2017

Excellent exposition of a variety of mathematical models.

By Rifqi F

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Sep 4, 2020

Fantastic Course! Scientifically robust in a humble way

By Yeedubilli S

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Mar 14, 2020

I learnt new things like how to see things in a new way

By Martin R

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Dec 5, 2021

Very clear, well-explained, enjoyable and stimulating.

By Alvin L

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Nov 16, 2020

Great course about using model to make better decision

By Abel

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Jul 21, 2017

A impressive course that changed my perspective a lot!

By Monika K

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Sep 27, 2021

the course gives an overview of many different models

By Vijayshree M

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Jan 14, 2020

Very Good course with right pace and challenge for me

By Hristo V

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Sep 21, 2017

Fantastic course! Really nice introduction to models!

By Dennis A

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Jul 9, 2016

Presenter is excellent, subject matter is fascinating

By Sarah L F

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Mar 16, 2020

This course allows you to see the world differently.

By Wei S

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Feb 18, 2019

This is a very informative course, highly recommend!

By Seyed M H M

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May 19, 2017

I learned alot and Got a grasp of some useful model

By Yarik

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Mar 19, 2016

I started to better understand stuff and processes.

By Dan F

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Nov 2, 2018

I still refer back to this. Invaluable. Brilliant.

By Lau C

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Apr 15, 2019

Very interesting and easy to follow. Thanks guys.

By Juan P L R

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Jun 24, 2018

Very good course. Complete, useful and practical.

By Robert L

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Mar 25, 2022

Absolutely great course. Bought the book also.

By David A

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Nov 13, 2019

Really nice introduction to a variety of models.

By Dennis M

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Apr 7, 2021

One of the best courses i have ever undertaken.

By Jonas P

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Sep 25, 2020

Nice course that learn us to think by ourselves

By Norman P

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Aug 22, 2020

Great course. Well done. Practical application.

By Elilenti K

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Oct 30, 2022

Eye opening, involving, novel worth your time