Lesson Plan | Teachy Methodology | Globalization and Neoliberalism

Objectives

Duration: 10 - 15 minutes

The purpose of this stage is to prepare students for a deeper and more practical exploration of the theme of globalization and neoliberalism, ensuring that they have a solid theoretical foundation to support their active engagement during the proposed digital activities. A clear understanding of the objectives helps both the teacher and the students to efficiently navigate the content and achieve the educational goals set for the class.

Main Objectives

1. Understand the neoliberal actions that promote the end of protectionism and their implications on the global economy.

2. Identify how the reduction of tariffs and trade barriers contributes to the expansion of the globalization process.

Side Objectives

1. Analyze historical and economic contexts where neoliberal policies were successfully or unsuccessfully implemented.
2. Explore case studies that demonstrate the positive and negative impacts of globalization driven by neoliberal policies.

Introduction

Duration: 15 - 20 minutes

The purpose of this stage is to immediately engage students and encourage them to think critically about the themes of the lesson. Through active information seeking and initial discussion, students will begin to contextualize the concepts of globalization and neoliberalism in the current scenario and develop a foundation for the practical activities that will follow.

Warming Up

To start the lesson on Globalization and Neoliberalism, briefly explain that globalization refers to the process of economic, cultural, and political integration among nations, which facilitates global trade and the exchange of ideas. Neoliberalism, on the other hand, is an economic approach that promotes the reduction of state interventions in the economy, favoring free markets and globalization. Next, ask students to use their cell phones to find an interesting or current fact about globalization or neoliberal policies. Allow time for each student to share their fact with the class.

Initial Reflections

1. What are the main arguments in favor of neoliberal policies?

2. How does globalization impact local economies?

3. Can negative aspects of neoliberalism be pointed out in the global context?

4. What are the success stories in the implementation of neoliberal policies?

5. How can the reduction of tariffs and trade barriers alter the dynamics between developed and developing countries?

6. What role have social networks played in disseminating neoliberal ideas and facilitating globalization?

Development

Duration: 70 - 80 minutes

The purpose of this stage is to provide students with a practical and engaging experience, where they can apply theoretical concepts of globalization and neoliberalism in real or simulated contexts. The activities allow students to explore different perspectives, utilize digital technologies, and develop critical and analytical skills.

Activity Suggestions

It is recommended that only one of the suggested activities be carried out

Activity 1 -  Global Investigators: Analyzing Real Cases

> Duration: 60 - 70 minutes

- Objective: Analyze historical and economic contexts, identifying the impacts of neoliberal policies in the real world, while also developing research and multimedia presentation skills.

- Description: Students will be divided into groups, and each group will choose a country or region that has adopted significant neoliberal policies. The task involves researching the impacts of these policies on the local economy, culture, and society, and creating a multimedia presentation using digital tools like PowerPoint, Prezi, or even a TikTok video.

- Instructions:

• Divide the class into groups of no more than 5 students.

• Ask each group to choose a country or region that has adopted neoliberal policies.

• Using cell phones or computers, students should research the impacts of the chosen neoliberal policies.

• Students will create a multimedia presentation (PowerPoint, Prezi, or a TikTok video) highlighting the effects of these policies on the local economy, culture, and society.

• Encourage students to use graphs, images, videos, and other multimedia resources to enrich their presentation.

• After creation, each group should present their work to the class, explaining their findings and insights.

Activity 2 -  Digital Influencers: Promoting Neoliberal Policies

> Duration: 60 - 70 minutes

- Objective: Explore the dynamics of social networks in disseminating neoliberal ideas and develop skills in digital marketing and persuasive communication.

- Description: In this activity, students will act as digital influencers who must create a social media campaign to promote or criticize neoliberal policies. Using platforms like Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook, students will create posts, stories, and videos that explain and argue their positions on neoliberalism in an accessible and engaging format.

- Instructions:

• Divide the class into groups of no more than 5 students.

• Each group should assume the role of digital influencers and decide whether they will run a campaign in favor of or against neoliberal policies.

• Using cell phones or computers, students will create social media content (posts, stories, videos) on platforms like Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook.

• Students should use relevant hashtags and engagement techniques to make their campaigns more appealing.

• Ask each group to share their content with the class and explain the strategies and messages they used.

• Promote a class discussion about the effectiveness of the campaigns and the importance of social networks in disseminating ideas.

Activity 3 -  Simulation Game: Interactive Global Economy

> Duration: 60 - 70 minutes

- Objective: Simulate the global economic dynamics, understanding the effects of neoliberal policies and developing critical thinking and decision-making skills.

- Description: Students will participate in an online simulation game where each group will represent a country with specific economic policies. They will need to make decisions about tariffs, imports, exports, and trade alliances, observing how their choices affect the global and local economy. The simulation can be done through platforms like SimCity, NationStates, or other available online economic simulation games.

- Instructions:

• Divide the class into groups of no more than 5 students.

• Each group will be assigned to represent a country with specific economic policies in the simulation game.

• Using cell phones or computers, students should access the chosen simulation platform (SimCity, NationStates, etc.).

• Students will make strategic choices about tariffs, imports, exports, and trade alliances.

• During the game, groups should observe and record the impacts of their decisions on the local and global economy.

• After the simulation time, each group should reflect on their choices and share their analyses with the class.

Feedback

Duration: 20 - 25 minutes

The purpose of this stage is to revisit and consolidate students' learnings, providing a space for reflection and critical discussion. By sharing their experiences and receiving feedback from peers, students not only reinforce their understanding of the studied concepts but also develop important skills in communication, collaboration, and critical thinking.

Group Discussion

Promote a group discussion with all students. Start by asking the groups to briefly share what they learned from the activities and what their main conclusions were. Use the following script to introduce the discussion:

1. Ask each group to give a summarized presentation about their discoveries and insights from the activities conducted.
2. Ask the students how the practical activities helped them better understand the concepts of globalization and neoliberalism.
3. Encourage students to reflect on the different perspectives presented by their peers and discuss any discrepancies or points of convergence found.

Reflections

1. In what way do neoliberal policies impact the economy and society in the studied country or region? 2. How can social networks influence the dissemination of economic and political ideas? 3. What challenges were faced during the activities and how did you overcome them?

360° Feedback

Conduct a 360° feedback step, where each student should receive feedback from other members of the group they worked with. Guide the class to ensure that the feedback is constructive and respectful. Encourage students to comment on:

1. Strengths of their peers during the activities.
2. Areas of improvement that could be worked on in future activities.
3. The contribution of their peers to the success of the group.

Conclusion

Duration: 10 - 15 minutes

 Purpose of this Stage: The conclusion aims to consolidate learnings, connecting the theoretical and practical concepts explored during the lesson with the current context and their applications in daily life. By revisiting the main points in a creative and engaging way, we reinforce understanding and relevance of the topic, preparing students to apply this knowledge in their future lives. 

Summary

 Creative and Fun Summary: Today, we embarked on an exciting journey through the seas of globalization and neoliberalism!  We saw how neoliberal policies are like winds that drive free trade around the globe by reducing tariffs and barriers. Each group investigated a country, created social media campaigns, and participated in a simulation game. It was a true digital immersion to understand how the world connects and evolves economically! 

World Connection

 In the Current World: In the digital age, globalization and neoliberalism are more present than ever. Social networks and technologies connect people and ideas in ways previously unthinkable, facilitating global trade and communication. Today's class showed how these forces shape modern life, influence policies, and affect local and global economies. 

Practical Application

 Applications in Daily Life: Understanding globalization and neoliberalism is essential to navigate the current world. These concepts influence everything from the prices of the products we buy to career opportunities in a globalized market. Knowing how these dynamics work helps students to be more informed and competitive citizens in the international landscape. 