ECONOMICS : COLLABORATION : COLLABORATION

How Can I Collaborate?

Working with others is an important skill to develop. It's one you will use often in the futurein school and the workplace. As part of this course, you have opportunities to work with your peers. The options presented below can be asynchronous or synchronous. Synchronous means you meet with your peers in real time whether in person or online, while asynchronous means the work can be done at different times. The latter requires a careful plan for communication, such as setting deadlines for emails with steps completed.

Steps

1. Choose a collaboration option. Select your choice for detailed instructions. Contact your instructor if you are interested in a synchronous activity. EconQuestcreate a game about rational decision making!

EconQuest In this activity option, work with a partner or group to think of common dilemmas where the choice maker would benefit from economic thinking. With your partner or group, make a simple game of these examples to teach others about cost-benefit analysis and other aspects of rational decision-making. Steps: 1. Make a list of common but important dilemmas young adults face regularly, such as whether to sign up for a retail store credit card. Each partner or group member should list at least live examples. 2. Decide what kind of game to make with your list. For example, you could make a board game or an online quiz. 3. Decide how you will make the game, and who is responsible for what. For example, perhaps one person uses a website to make the game using everyone's ideas shared in email. Another idea is your group could use a shared online document, and each contribute pictures to make a board game. You will need to decide rules for the game. 4. Make sure the whole group can see or access the complete game through pictures, a video, or a link (if it is an online game). 5. Play the game. It should work as planned and the rules should make sense. If needed, make any changes with your partner or group. 6. Include the names of all your group members in the EconQuest game. 7. For your Collaboration, be sure to turn in: Brainstorm list of common, important dilemmas Evidence of game planning (emails or other communication about the game and how to make it) . EconQuest Game (include rules and access information if applicable)The BEST Business Plan In this activity option, work with a partner or group to plan a business that would not only fill a need but do so in a responsible and sustainable way. With your partner or group, create a business plan that anticipates all costs and potential externalities. Steps: 1. Make a list of ideas for your new business. Think of current products that could use innovation or a service that perhaps does not yet exist. Each partner or group member should list at least two ideas. 2. Select one idea to run with and use to create your business plan. Start a document that has your names and the business name and purpose clearly identified. 3. Determine all the factors of production, considering all the land (natural resources), labor, capital, and entrepreneurial needs that would be needed for this business to succeed. Take some time to brainstorm; leave nothing out. For example, if producing a new product there will need to be designs and a plan for how it would be made, such as a factory or hand tools needed. Include a sketch of the good or detailed description of the service. 4. Identify your market. You should identify in your plan who would benefit from (and thus buy) your good or service. Anticipate how large this market is (local to international) and a target price that would attract consumers while covering your costs. Also, is there competition for your business? How would you capture market share from this competition? 5. Anticipate unintended consequences. What positive or negative externalities might your business generate? How can your business be proactive against any negative impacts? Brainstorm with your partner or group and include a detailed response. 6. Include the names of all your group members in the BEST Business Plan. 7. For your Collaboration, be sure to turn in: Brainstorm list of business ideas Evidence of business planning (emails or other communication about the steps) . BEST Business PlanDebate an Economic Issue In this activity option, imagine you and your partners work as part of a special citizen group trying to address state or national economic issues. Your team's task is to choose an economic issue and debate several public policy ideas alternatives to help solve the issue. Your team will agree on the best policy idea to recommend to lawmakers. Steps: 1. Make a list of issues in your area at the state or national level that have an economic focus. Each partner or group member should list at least three examples. Reputable news sources can help you identify issues. 2. Choose one issue from your combined list to discuss. What are the different ways that government could address the problem? Each partner or group member should list at least two policy ideas. Again. news or issue-based organizations might be a source of ideas for potential solutions. 3. Analyze your ideas with the group. List the positives and negatives for at least two policy ideas. What are the good, or positive, aspects of this idea? What are the bad, or negative, aspects? Consider aspects like unintended outcomes (externalities). cost, the people needed. You can use a two-column chart for each idea. Policy Solution Idea Name: Positives: Negatives: 7 D 4. Discuss which policy idea is the better solution. Use your charts. 5. Write a recommendation with your group in two paragraphs. In the first paragraph, describe the economic issue and why there is a problem. In the second paragraph, describe your chosen policy idea and why you chose it as the best solution. Make sure your recommendation includes the names of all group members. 6. For your Collaboration, be sure to turn in: Brainstorm list of economic issues At least two policy idea analysis charts (include who contributed each idea or other evidence of group communication) Two-paragraph recommendation with all group members' names