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Students work in small groups ("work crews") while participating in a production activity. Students learn about competition, division of labor, and incentives. They also demonstrate how division of labor and incentives help lead to greater productivity.

This video from the Explore Economics series helps kids understand what productivity is and how we can increase productivity. Kids learn that productivity is a measure of output per worker per unit of time.

This lesson focuses on adjusting measures by population size. Students evaluate volunteerism data for 2015 to determine which state’s citizens are most likely to volunteer. Through a guided discussion and review of data, students learn how to convert absolute numbers into per capita measures by adjusting for population and why such adjustments are necessary to make valid comparisons among groups. They also discuss credibility of data sources and identify data sources used in the lesson. As an assessment, they use various data series in GeoFRED® to find state-specific data, including per capita measures.

In this course, students are introduced to absolute advantage, the ability to produce more of a good or service than another producer using the same amount of resources as that producer. The superhero Jack of All Trades recognizes that although he has the absolute advantage in many tasks, it doesn’t mean he should do all tasks, as Jack explains to mortal, Andy. From this basic concept, students can move toward an understanding of the benefits of trade and comparative advantage.

In this course, learn about the production possibilities curve, a graphic representation of output combinations that can be produced given an economy’s available resources and technology. With their new-found wealth, Andy and Jack have acquired islands, Los Andeles and Jackramento, giving Jack the perfect opportunity to teach Jack about production possibilities, opportunity cost, and the efficiencies of trade according to comparative advantage.

Learn about absolute advantage, the ability to produce more of a good or service than another producer using the same amount of resources as that producer, in this short online course. The superhero Jack of All Trades recognizes that although he has the absolute advantage in many tasks, it doesn’t mean he should do all tasks, as Jack explains to mortal, Andy. From this basic concept, you'll move toward an understanding of the benefits of trade and comparative advantage.

In this course, learn that even when absolute advantage exists, two parties can still benefit from trading, if they do so according to their comparative advantage.Miss Information tries to persuade Andy that his new car repair and snow removal business is doomed to failure because Jack has the absolute advantage in both tasks. However, Jack dispels Miss Information’s misinformation by suggesting they work together and exploit their comparative advantage.

In this course, students learn that even when absolute advantage exists, two parties can still benefit from trading, if they do so according to their comparative advantage. Miss Information tries to persuade Andy that his new car repair and snow removal business is doomed to failure because Jack has the absolute advantage in both tasks. However, Jack dispels Miss Information’s misinformation by suggesting they work together and exploit their comparative advantage.

In this course, students learn about the production possibilities curve, a graphic representation of output combinations that can be produced given an economy’s available resources and technology. With their new-found wealth, Andy and Jack have acquired islands, Los Andeles and Jackramento, giving Jack the perfect opportunity to teach Jack about production possibilities, opportunity cost, and the efficiencies of trade according to comparative advantage.

In this course, use your knowledge of the production possibilities curve to determine how specialization in production can yield greater global consumption. Specifically, Andy and Jack grow potatoes and strawberries on their islands, Los Andeles and Jackramento. When trying to find the mix of potato and strawberry production that will satisfy the islanders’ wants, they happen upon a solution that provides greater strawberry and potato consumption – specialization and trade.