One of the best days I've spent was two years ago when I attended the teaching workshop that Jim Gwartney sponsors (in conjunction, I think, with a similar center at USF) on teaching intro econ classes. DOL pals Russ Sobel and Dirk Mateer were two of the featured speakers. Both were fantastic and Dirk got me hooked (to my wife's chagrin) on using film clips to illustrate economics concepts.

The 2010 workshop will be held in early February. I've put some info about it--including this year's speakers (Robert Higgs is one) below the fold.

The Gus A. Stavros Centers of Florida State University and the University of
South Florida will hold their Sixth Annual workshop on "Creative Teaching
Ideas for Your Basic Economics Course." The workshop will be held on
February 4-5, 2010 at the University Center on the campus of Florida State
University in Tallahassee. This workshop is designed to provide teachers of
college-and Advance high school economics with stimulating ideas that they
will be able to use in the classroom.

The workshop will feature several outstanding educators including Robert
Higgs, economic historian and editor of The Independent Review; Mark Schug,
long-time director of the Center for Economic Education at the University of
Wisconsin-Milwaukee; and Michael Chriszt, assistant vice president for
research at the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. This year, the Friday
workshop will be preceded by a Thursday event "Evening with the Fed." The
conference registration fee of $60 includes the Thursday evening dinner and
program, Friday lunch, and refreshment breaks.

The attached flyer contains additional information about the workshop, hotel
accommodations, and registration. January 5 is the deadline for the room
reservations at the Residence Inn by Marriott - Tallahassee Universities at
the Capitol at the Stavros Center rate of $93 per night. Register today for
this exciting conference.

For info contact Jim Gwartney at JdGwartney"at"fsu.edu.