Theodore W. Frick
Professor Emeritus

My Teaching

Since retiring in December, 2012, I no longer teach courses at Indiana University. Nonetheless, I continue to teach hundreds of thousands of students annually through the Web.

My Teaching Philosophy

For decades I have encouraged students to think critically. Through Totally Integrated Education (TIE) student learning is grounded. Grounding of thinking, feeling, and intending is vitally important for rationality.  If rational, we are free to seek truth and justice.

Students with integrated mental structures are less likely to be deceived or misled by others who are prejudiced, who intentionally lie or distort truth, or who hold false beliefs. Students who can think critically become responsible participants in a democratic society.  They can become leaders who help others to think critically; and together we can make our world better.

Ongoing Web-based Instruction

Learn through tutorials

Learn through simulations

  • The Diffusion Simulation Game (Version 1): How many teachers can you get to adopt an innovation? Takes about an hour or less for each time you play, works in any browser. From 2014 through 2023, nearly 22,000 people have registered and played.
  • Make Decisions with Sequential Observations: How quickly can you choose one alternative over another by sequential sampling? Demonstration of Bayesian reasoning with Wald's Sequential Probability Ratio Test (SPRT).
  • The Cost of Borrowing Money: Did you know that if you borrow $50,000 at 8% interest, and pay it back over 20 years, you will pay over $50,000 in total interest! Change numbers and see what happens.

Awards

Courses Taught Previously (1983 - 2012)

Links to sample syllabi from my past courses are listed below, but I no longer teach them.

Next: My Research