Ethical Investing Infomercial - Year 7 & 8

Activity Introduction

Quick summary: This lesson reinforces students’ understanding of ethical investing by asking them to explore a case study of an ethical business and then demonstrate their knowledge of this concept through the creation of an infomercial.

We’ve taken elements of this lesson and adapted them for remote learning. You can find these activities here and here.

This lesson supports students to inquire into the big idea of ‘real wealth’. Students develop an understanding of shared values, and build their sustainable and ethical financial knowledge, equipping them with the skills to make sound financial decisions based on social, environmental and economical merit.

Learning goals:

To consider social and environmental impact of businesses.
To explore a case study of an ethical business.
To demonstrate understanding of the concept ‘ethical investing’.

General capabilities: Critical and Creative Thinking, Personal and Social Capability, Ethical Understanding.

Cross-curriculum priority: Sustainability OI.6., OI.8.

Australian Curriculum content description:

Year 7 Economics and Business

Why and how individuals and businesses plan to achieve short-term and long-term personal, organisational and financial objectives (ACHEK018)
Why individuals work, types of work and how people derive an income (ACHEK020)

Year 8 Economics and Business

The rights and responsibilities of consumers and businesses in Australia (ACHEK029)

Syllabus Outcomes: C4.2, C4.,3 C4.4.

Topic: Consumption

Unit of lessons: Real Wealth Year 7 & 8

Time required: 60 mins

Level of teacher scaffolding: Low – teachers will already have knowledge of the criteria for the previous lesson in this unit on What is an Ethical Business?

Resources required: Student Worksheet – one copy per student OR computers/tablets to access the online worksheet. Device capable of presenting a website to the class. Ethical Investment Factsheet, Infomercial Assessment Rubric, Real Wealth Cheat Sheet, Glossary Secondary.

Digital technology opportunities: Apps/software to create infomercial, digital sharing capabilities.

Homework and extension opportunities: Includes opportunities for extension.

Keywords: ethical, investing, infomercial.

Cool Australia’s curriculum team continually reviews and refines our resources to be in line with changes to the Australian Curriculum.

Worksheets

Teacher Worksheet

Teacher preparation

Overarching learning goal: Students will understand ethical investing by exploring a case study of an ethical business and will then demonstrate their knowledge of ethical investing by applying it to an infomercial.

Teacher content information: When households and businesses explore investment opportunities, they will apply a range of criteria to help them choose the most appropriate options. Whilst economic return remains an important priority, investors are increasingly interested in the social and environmental impacts of their investment. In response to this trend, many businesses have altered their practices in order to attract investors from this growing market.

Bendigo Bank is an Australian company that prides itself on its ethical approach to banking. With a strong emphasis on ‘shared value’ it engages in a range of business practices designed to benefit its local branch community as well as its shareholders. These practices include the ‘community banking

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Student Worksheet

Thought Starter: Can an investment be ethical AND profitable?

Preparation: Read through the Ethical Investment Factsheet and watch this clip. Once complete, answer the questions below:

Ethical Investing - Why it Works (https://youtu.be/52-kOJWNSGs)

In your own words, describe ethical investment:

Explain why you think ethical investment does or doesn't work:

Bendigo Bank – An Ethical Investment

Bendigo Bank is one of the companies Australian Ethical has listed as an ethical investment. One example of the ethical work that they do is the Ban the Bulb program. This program involves "exchanging incandescent light globes with new energy efficient globes (CFL’s) in the homes and businesses of participating communities. The globe installations are made by local community groups who receive money for every globe they exchange."

Watch this clip for more information:

Ban the Bulb (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbj1vP1v2-w)

Beneath the table are a range of headlines which are lin

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Activity: Ethical Investing Infomercial – Year 7 & 8

Activity Introduction