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Lesson 1. The power of knowledge

Introduction

We are all consumers because we all use goods and services. Do you think we are informed consumers? In this lesson, students will consider the concept of being a consumer and will think about the goods and services which they consume/use on a daily basis. Students will work together to learn about what it means to be an informed consumer, what the benefits are and how to become a stronger, informed and empowered consumer.

Time: Single class period

Materials:

CCPC Money Matters Lesson 1 Activity 2 Student worksheet The power of knowledgepdf | 905 KB

Activity 1: When are you a consumer?

Step-by-step instructions

1. Facilitate a whole class discussion using the following questions as a guide:

  • Are you a consumer?
  • What makes you a consumer?

2. Explain that consumers are people who use either goods or services.

Note:

Depending on your class you may wish to explain this further, as follows:

  • Goods – items you can actually touch. Examples include clothes, food, toys, computers, phones etc.
  • Services – examples include things like bike repairs, getting a hair‑cut, electricity being supplied to your house, etc. These are services that are supplied to consumers by others.

3. Ask students to come up with a good or service they have bought or used recently.  Record their responses on the white/blackboard.

Note: 

Depending on your class you may wish to provide one or more of the following prompts: Computer game, cinema tickets, mobile phone credit, food, drink, etc.

4. Explain to students that the goods or services they have bought or used shows they are a consumer.

Activity 2: The power of knowledge

1. Explain to students that it is important to be an informed consumer. It gives you power and helps you gather together all the information you need to make the right decision/choice when you buy goods and services. Tell students that having the right information when you go shopping is like studying and being prepared when you go into an exam.

2. Divide the class into pairs.

3. Distribute one copy of Student worksheet: The power of knowledge to each pair.

4. Invite each pair to complete the worksheet by writing words or drawing pictures in the jigsaw pieces on their worksheet. These words or pictures should relate to what it means to be an informed consumer.

Note: Two of the jigsaw pieces on the worksheet are already completed to help students with their task. 

5. Take feedback from a sample of pairs, noting their responses on the white/blackboard.


6. Highlight any trends in terms of student feedback.


7. Explain that as consumers we each have a responsibility to be informed and to know about consumer rights.

This means that we should:

  • Be clear about what we want
  • Know how much we can afford to pay
  • Check goods for faults
  • Compare prices
  • Compare quality
  • Keep receipts
  • Use goods for the purposes for which they were intended

8. Ask students to raise their hands if they are happy that they have some understanding of what it means to be an informed consumer and keep their hands down if they are unsure or do not know.


9. Conclude by telling the class that in this Section they will get a better idea and some practice at being an informed consumer.

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