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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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451 - 475 of 502 Reviews for Model Thinking

By 李培春

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Oct 9, 2016

The teacher is witty. It's a great course, but more mathematical calculating would be better.

By chandra s

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Sep 14, 2016

I think everyone should take this course although some of the lectures are hard

By 洪承恩

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Jan 11, 2023

這門模型思維給了我許多不同模式思考的認知，利用其中的模塊可以更有效的組織不同資訊，不過有太多複雜的知識並沒有講解清楚，而是舉了過多例子，這個有點可惜。

By Inés M G H

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Apr 7, 2023

This course was thorough in explanations. Excellent investment of my time!

By Kirk r

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Sep 14, 2017

Good class. A little topical, I would have liked more time Net Logo.

By Albert N

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Oct 24, 2017

The main takeway for me is the ability to understand complex models

By bob n

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Jul 2, 2020

very interesting material, easy to follow, useful quizzes and tests

By Ross T J

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Jan 18, 2020

Pretty good course. The book is also very interesting.

By Pietro P

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Jun 9, 2016

I think it is terrific course - it is just right for me

By Salvador V P G

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May 18, 2020

very good, format for this class have improve a lot!!.

By Joachim S

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Nov 3, 2021

Useful if you are curious about models in general.

By Roland v L

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Feb 9, 2018

Very interesting material, lectures were a bore.

By Vishnu U

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Apr 1, 2016

Gives perspective to the decisions people take

By JeromeTang

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Nov 10, 2019

Good course to start model thinking. thanks.

By Jean P K M

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Aug 11, 2020

I am fully satiafied with this course.

By James K

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Oct 8, 2015

Demanding but very enlightening course

By Mohammadjavad E

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Jul 3, 2022

awesome introduction, but not more.

By SANA J

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Jul 3, 2020

It was really an informative course.

By Piotr k

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Oct 25, 2015

Great course to built basic skills.

By Qi L

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Apr 11, 2023

many knowledges, but not that deep

By 周福南

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Apr 22, 2019

中文字幕有一点问题，其他都还好。能开阔视野，收集到很多思维模型。

By Gustavo T d F

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Aug 29, 2017

Great learning tool. Thank you!

By Federico P

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Sep 25, 2017

Nice course, but lacks depth.

By Sushil S

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Jan 23, 2021

Better course for beginners.

By Behailu D

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Sep 19, 2020

it is interesting course