(Consumers' Association of Canada,
Alberta)
Alberta Consumers' Association
Alberta Curriculum Linkages-Career
and Life Management 20 (Senior High) /16 (Revised 1989) Alberta
Learning, Alberta, Canada
The Alberta Consumers'
Association site provides links to information resources that can be
used to meet some of the Calm 20 learning objectives
related to "develops survival skills related to consumer interactions in
the marketplace" of the core theme, Independent Living. In
addition most of the learning objectives of the optional module, Consumer
and Investment Choices, can be met by using resources available through
this site. Some activities that use the site to meet learning objectives
are suggested. If you would like to add an activity to this site,
send it to Larry Phillips
Core Theme
E: Independent Living
Theme Objective
The student: develops survival skills related
to consumer interactions in the marketplace.
Learning Expectations Regarding:
Financial Institutions
-
recognizes available banking options:
-
types of financial institutions
-
security of investments
-
types of accounts
-
factors affecting choice of financial institution
(R/U)
Activity:
-
have the students compare the types
of accounts and costs at a bank, a trust company, and a credit union;
-
have students compare the deposit insurance
available on regular deposits at various types of financial institutions;
-
have student compare the deposit insurance
available on certificates of deposit and mortgage debentures.
The information needed to complete
these activities can be found using the Consumer Information
link.
Consumer Advocacy
-
The student: identifies strategies for
dealing with consumer concerns (U).
Activity: have the students identify
a concern they have with a product or service and then see if there is
a group or organization dealing with that concern.
In addition to information found
using the Consumer Advocacy link, using a search
engine such as Hotbot may be useful.
Module 3:
Consumer and Investment Choices
Module Objectives
The student:
develops skills and knowledge to improve
consumer and investment decision making
identifies strategies that allow wise use
of financial and personal resources for immediate and deferred wants and
needs
recognizes the rights and responsibilities
involved in consumer and investment decisions
increases ability to modify consumer and
investment plans in response to changes in goals, lifestyle and access
to resources
improves ability to communicate concerns,
and to make plans related to consumer and investment choices.
Learning Expectations
Financial Goal Setting
-
recognizes that consumer and investment
choices and opportunities are based on personal decision making (U)
-
assesses present net worth (U)
-
reviews short-term financial goals ®
-
determines long-term financial goals (I).
The information needed to help students
complete these activities can be found using the Consumer
Information link.
Personal Financial Considerations
practices correct use of terms related
to investment (R/U) recognizes the interplay among the investment characteristics:
risk
return
liquidity
term ®
-
recognizes that investment characteristics
apply to consumer purchases and investment choices (U) recognizes that
the value of investments may appreciate or depreciate (U)
Activity: have the students compare
the investment considerations of investing $1000 in term deposits with
the Alberta Treasury Branch verses investing the same amount in consumer
products such as the latest Nintendo or Barbie dolls. Give bonus
points to students who recognize opportunity and other holding costs.
The information needed to complete
this activity can be found using the Consumer Information
link.
assesses the advantages and disadvantages
of eliminating or reducing debts as the first stage of developing a personal
investment plan (U) identifies commitments related to investment transactions:
examines the implications of entering into
a contract (U).
Types of Investment
-
Wise Consumer Decision Making
-
identifies the factors that affect consumer
buying of goods and services (U)
-
identifies and assesses sources of consumer
information and assistance (I/S)
-
demonstrates an ability to resolve consumer
concerns in a positive manner(S)
-
develops skills in wise shopping for goods
and services:
-
timing of purchase
-
location
-
display
-
size and cost comparison
-
research versus impulse (S)
Activity: have the student find
to sources for a product or service they wish to buy. They should
compare the information provided, the price, other contract terms, location
of the vendor, redress, and use of personal information. The students
should decide whether it is better to purchase the product locally or directly
from a remote vendor.
The information needed to complete
this activity can be found using the Consumer Information
link.
distinguishes between consumer rights and
consumer responsibilities (U/I).
-
Debt Investment
-
defines debt investment ®
-
examines the difference between non-traded
debt investment and traded debt investment (U)
-
non-traded debt investments:
-
demand accounts
-
term deposits
-
guaranteed investment certificates
-
traded debt investments:
-
bonds
-
debentures
-
treasury bills.
-
Equity Investment
-
defines equity investment ® examines
the difference between common shares and preferred shares (U) differentiates
among growth, blue chip and speculative shares (U)
-
Other Investments
-
identifies advantages and disadvantages
of other investment opportunities:
-
mutual funds
-
real estate
-
precious metals
-
collectables
-
insurance (U).
Activity:
-
have the students explain why the value
of a bond or debenture changes if interest rates change;
-
have the students compare the rates
of return for several mutual funds for different time periods;
-
have the students explain how you know
you are buying equities at a "bottom" and not a "top" (please let me know);
-
have students note how many one month
periods that a Canadian Treasury Bill fund outperformed the TSE index during
the last 3 years.
The information needed to complete these
activities can be found using the Consumer Information
link.
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