This session provides rich resources and innovative ideas on how to teach about the global economy for secondary students. Presented by the Buck Institute for Education, instructional strategies focus on project-based learning.

1. Teaching the Global
Economy
John Larmer
Buck Institute for
Education

2. BIE: Who We Are
 BIE is dedicated to improving 21st Century teaching and
learning by creating and disseminating knowledge,
products, and practices for effective Project Based
Learning
 Non-profit located near San Francisco
 Workshops and partners in over 30 states and 6
countries
 www.bie.org
 www.pbl-online.org
 PBL Handbook and PBL Toolkit series, and project based
curriculum units for high school Economics and U.S.
Government

3. Today’s Agenda
• “The Greater Good” – sample project-
based unit on trade, comparative
advantage (from Buck Institute for
Education - free to download @
www.bie.org)
• A Global Business course: activities,
projects, and resources (from National
Academy Foundation; must be a member for
full access)

4. http://inventorspot.com/articles/got_milkinventive_marketing_5569
Copy and print out or project the print ads on the website for your
students. Ask them to look at the American “got milk?” ad and list the
features and qualities of milk being highlighted in the advertisement.
Who would this ad appeal to and why? Have students partner up and
share their ideas.
Now ask students to consider the milk ads from the other countries. Direct
pairs choose one of the ads that they have a strong reaction to and
discuss:
• What features and qualities of milk are highlighted in the ad?
• Who would the ad appeal to and why?
• How does it compare to the American version?
• Would the other ad be effective in the US? Why or why not?

5. United States

6. Switzerland

7. Germany

8. India

9. Mexico

10. South Africa

11. STEP Analysis Project: Launch Memo from CEO
To: Global Business Consulting Group
From: CEO, Solar Dog Homes Inc.
We need you to recommend which nation we should
choose for manufacturing our new wood-framed
dog homes, and make and install heating and
cooling systems for them, including the solar-
powered digital temperature gauge, the fan, and the
heater.
(from National Academy Foundation)

12. STEP Analysis: South Korea
Social
Benefits:
• young, educated, tech-savvy workers
Risks:
• lack of interest or experience in building the
particular product

13. STEP Analysis: South Korea
Technological
Benefits:
• workers comfortable with high-tech; good
transportation and manufacturing sites
Risks:
• depend on oil for transportation

14. STEP Analysis: South Korea
Economy
Benefits:
• stable, strong economy with favorable business
conditions, many sites available
Risks:
• cost of workers could cut profits

15. STEP Analysis: South Korea
Political
Benefits:
• ease of doing business
Risks:
• lacks raw materials for product; must be shipped
in—increases costs

16. For further information
John Larmer
Director of Product Development
johnlarmer@bie.org
David Ross
Director of Professional Development
david@bie.org
415-883-0122