Using Problem-based Learning for Introducing Producer Theory and Market Structure in Intermediate Microeconomics1

This paper shows how instructors can use the problem-based learning method to introduce producer theory and market structure in intermediate microeconomics courses. The paper proposes a framework where different decision problems are presented to students, who are asked to imagine that they are the managers of a firm who need to solve a problem in a particular business setting. In this setting, the instructors’ role is to provide both guidance to facilitate student learning and content knowledge on a just-in-time basis.