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Learner Reviews & Feedback for Model Thinking by University of Michigan

4.8
stars
2,226 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

YK

Apr 6, 2018

The course presents a multitude of models that enable us to analyze human and systems behavior and interactions. By making implicit assumptions explicit we can understand real world processes better.

GK

Feb 24, 2017

Great content and lectures, that possibly provides new dimensions to look/explain the situation in context, I guess I will comeback for references to continue with this journey in to 'Model Thinking'

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276 - 300 of 502 Reviews for Model Thinking

By Zeynep T

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Oct 12, 2017

Quite interesting topic. Well-organized notes.

By Elke W

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Mar 24, 2016

Great introductory course to expand your mind.

By Jeff Z

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Nov 16, 2022

Helps me to understand this world much better

By Zach D

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Apr 4, 2020

Really enjoyed the professor and the content.

By Tony N

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Feb 16, 2020

Probably the best online course I have taken!

By Li M

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Oct 30, 2019

This course is very informative and inspiring

By Michal P

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Sep 6, 2017

Very engaging and super fun - just amazing!!!

By Nadim M

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May 22, 2020

Really a great course and a great professor!

By Alfa T

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Nov 16, 2020

Amazing topics, very useful in daily life !

By Peter V

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May 6, 2020

Excellent course. Would strongly recommend.

By Ning C

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Nov 6, 2016

It's an awesome course! Learned a lot here.

By Ryan M F

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Nov 3, 2015

Haven't done it yet but I love it. Vamanos.

By Elias

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Oct 14, 2015

Excellent teaching and material

Thanks Scott

By Anna S

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Feb 23, 2024

Fascinating and engaging course. Loved it.

By 项珍华

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Jan 6, 2023

Very good course and excellent introducer.

By Channa H

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May 15, 2022

Learnta nd enjoyed very much, thank you!!

By TANYA S

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Mar 23, 2022

it was greating learning experinence here

By 吉星照

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Jan 11, 2020

The yeacher is so kind,patient and wise.

By Hamidreza M A

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Feb 23, 2016

A great job that professor Page is doing.

By Parag B D

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Feb 4, 2022

Excellent course to change your thinking

By Angelos S

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Jul 24, 2020

Best online course I have ever attended.

By Zephyr L

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Sep 4, 2017

Great coverage on how to model a system!

By Shubhmani M

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Sep 6, 2021

Very informative course and assignments

By Red

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Mar 7, 2021

help me think cearly in the future life

By Ton v O

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May 30, 2019

Excellent, learn a lot and entertaining