Induction Course for New PSHE Subjects: Economics Panel Chairpersons

Part 1: Learning and teaching:

Adoption of wide range of learning and teaching strategy

Lesson observation in Economics Sharing session

EDB 1

Existing situations Old AL Curriculum and NSS Curriculum

Is Economics a popular subject in schools?

Can the teaching/learning resources or strategies for AL be used in NSS Economics?

What is a good curriculum design for your school?

How to teach ( abstract) economic concepts/theories?

What are the suitable learning and teaching strategies to help students learn and understand?

How to assess learning effectiveness?EDB 2

Popular teaching resources/strategies

• Class discussion and applying study skills - such as drawing mind maps and note-writing skills

• Video - e.g. income inequality, money, HKMA , HK manufacturing industries and etc

• Sound track ( radio ) – e.g. LTV Café

• Extra-curricular activities – e.g. Company Programme ( JAHK)

• News

• Student presentation – e.g. price controlsEDB 3

Popular teaching resources/strategies

• Websites• Dictionary – e.g. meaning of “market”• School visits – e.g. Coca Cola, HKMA, HK Printing Ltd.• Knowledge in other academic subjects such as Chinese

History ( e.g. 兩稅制、租庸調 – tax incidence, tax principle and types of tax)

• Market survey e.g. find the prices of some selected products ( with different sizes ) and photocopying cost – concept of economies of scale

• etc

EDB 4

Sample 1: class discussion ( from students’ life experience to economic concept )

Topic: Problems of resource allocation ( Basic problems of resource allocation )

Reason:To those S4 students, Economics is a totally new school subject and it is NOT a nice idea to “hard sell” economic concepts to them. So I use a discussion topic to introduce the “three basic economic problems – what, how and for whom to produce” and the concept about the “problems of resource allocation”.

EDB 5

Economic systems 6

Problems of Resource Allocation

Task: Your class is going to have a class party. As the chairperson of your class committee, you are planning for the party. In the space below, draw a mind map to show your plan. You should include items like the resources needed; food, games and activities; people being invited and others in the mind map.

1. Mind map for the party

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2. How is the above mind map related to the study of economics?

Economic systems 8

The Basic economic Problems:

ScarcityMeaning

Reason

Result

_________ basic economic problems:

1.

2.

3.

Scarcity means that the quantity of a resource or good is NOT enough to satisfy human wants. So more of it is preferred.

It is because human wants are unlimited but resources are limited.

We have to make choices. We have to decide which want(s) to satisfy and which to give up.

three

what to produce?

how to produce?

for whom to produce?

Revision

Sample 2: use examples commonly used in setting exam papers ( HKCEE )

Topic: Price and non-price competition / allocation

Reason:The examples are used in public examination papers and are also closely related to our everyday lives.

EDB 9

Economic systems 10

Examples of “for whom to produce” problem

• I want to attend Eason’s concert.• I want to live in a public housing unit in Hong Kong.• I am sick. I consult the outpatient clinic ( 門診部 ) of a

public hospital( 公立醫院 ).• I am a real estate ( 地產 ) developer ( 發展商 ). I am

planning to build several residential( 住宅 ) buildings in Yuen Long.

• I want to study in the University of Hong Kong.• I want to win Mark Six.• ……

Economic systems 11

Not everybody is qualified for a public housing unit.

There is a maximum income limit and number of family members has to be specified.

Of course, you have to pay the rent, which is cheaper than the market rent of private housing unit.

“I want to live in a public housing unit in Hong Kong.” Are you qualified?

Economic systems 12

Everybody is qualified. The services are allocated on a first come first served ( 先到先得 ) basis.Of course, you have to pay the consultation fees ( 診金 ), which is much cheaper than the fees of private clinic.

“I am sick. I consult the outpatient clinic ( 門診部 ) of a public hospital ( 公立醫院 ).” Are you qualified?

Economic systems 13

Land in Hong Kong belongs to the government.Land is sold by the government in land auction ( 士地拍賣 ).Land is sold to the estate developer ( 地產發展商 ) who bids the highest price ( 價高者得 ).

“I am a real estate ( 地產 ) developer ( 發展商 ). I am planning to build several residential( 住宅 ) buildings in Yuen Long.” What do you need to do?

Economic systems 14

You have to meet the entrance requirement ( 入學條件 ).A university place is allocated to a person with good academic result ( 學業成績 ).

“I want to study in the University of Hong Kong.” Are you qualified?

Economic systems 15

You have to buy the “ticket”.The numbers will be randomly drawn. If you have selected to buy these numbers, you win the lottery ( 彩金 ).This method of allocation is drawing lot or lucky draw ( 抽籤 ).

“I want to win Mark Six.” What do you need to do?

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Price allocation

You have to offer one good ( e.g. $ money ) in exchange for another thing.

e.g. I pay $10 to buy a hamburger.

What is price?Price is the exchange ratio/rate between goods.

Non-price allocation:• queuing or first come first

served• age• ability• beauty• gender ( sex )• lucky draw• needs• seller’s preference• rank• etc

Classifying the methods of allocation

Sample 3: use of news articles

Topic: Interest is the cost of earlier availability of resources ( AL Topic - “Capital, Interest and Investment Decisions” )

Reason: Is it really inappropriate or even impossible to teach this concept under the topic “ NSS - Basic Economic Concepts”?

EDB 17

Prior knowledge : Economic and free goods, opportunity cost and meaning of consumption

Consumption means that a consumer uses goods and services to satisfy his/her wants. Consumers prefer ____ economic goods to less. Task 1:

You help Ms. Wong clean the room and she will pay you.

Help me clean the room today and I’ll give you

Two options:

Option 1: HK$300 now. Option 2: HK$300 a week later.

(1). Which option will you choose? Give ONE reason why you choose the option.

more

Possible reasons:

EDB 19

How many of you choose “Option 1” ?

How many of you choose “Option 2”?

ALL! Right?

I am afraid that Ms. Wong may break her promise.

I am afraid that Ms. Wong may forget to give me the money next week.

I can put the money in the bank now and earn “interest”.

I do not want to wait.

Ms. Wong may get fired next week.

I can use the money now.

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Help me clean the room today and I’ll give you

Option 2: HK$300 a week later.

(2) Ms. Wong wants to persuade you to choose “Option 2”. Give ONE possible situation why you will accept this option.

Ms. Wong invites me to lunch.

Ms. Wong gives me a gift.

Ms. Wong gives me more than $300.

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Objective of “Task 1”: Concept of earlier availability

Option 1: HK$300 now Option 2: $300 + a week later

(1) Which option will you choose? Give ONE reason why you choose the option.

(2) Ms. Wong wants you to choose “Option 2”. Give ONE possible situation why you will accept this option.

Option 1 because I can use the money earlier.

I will take Option 2 if Ms Wong gives me something more ( $300 + a bit more ).

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Task 3:

“If I deposit ( ) $10 000 in a bank, how much do I get back one year from today if the interest rate is 5% p.a.”

Task 2:

“I am now earning $10 000 per month and I want to buy a new car which costs $120 000.Can I own this car now?” How?

Yes. You can borrow money from a bank. Then you pay back the bank ( principal + interest ) by instalments.

You will get back $10 000 ( 1 + 5%) = $10500 one year later.

(Pay interest to get things earlier)

(Earn interest if you do not use the money now.)

Objective of Task 2 & 3:

Concept of interest

EDB 23

Early consumption or later consumption

Early consumption means that a person chooses to consume _____________ goods and services now.

Later or future consumption means that a person chooses to consume_______________ goods and services ________________.

Task 1:

a. You are willing to choose “Option 1” – receive $300 now because

more

more in the future

you can use the money earlier ( early consumption)

you can have more future or later consumption.

b. You are willing to choose “Option 2” – receive $300 later because

EDB 24

Task 2:

I can consume more goods earlier ( early consumption) if

Task 3:

If I put my money in a bank, I will consume ____________ now since the money is kept in the bank. But a year later, I can consume _________________ because I can receive _______________. That means I can have more ______________ consumption.

I borrow from a bank. Then I return the money to the bank by instalments. The money includes the principal and interest.

less

moreinterestlater/future

EDB 25

Interest as the price or cost of earlier consumption or earlier availability

Examples:

(1) If I borrow money from a bank to buy a car, I have to pay an _______________ to the bank. The amount I pay depends on the interest rate, the amount borrowed ( called principal) and the time of repayment.

In this case, I have earlier consumption but I have to pay an _________________.

So interest is the price or cost I pay to have earlier consumption. 

interest

interest

EDB 26

(2) If I deposit my money in a bank, I give up _________________ consumption because I cannot use the money to consume now but I will receive _____________ from the bank. The amount I receive depends on the interest rate, the amount of deposit and the time period.

In this way, I can have more __________________ consumption.

So interest is the price which compensates me for deferring my present consumption.

present/early

interest

future

EDB 27

Exercise : Interest as the cost of earlier availability

Read the following Sources and answer the questions.Source A.

【本報訊】「毋須入息證明、毋須抵押、低息貸款。」大耳窿年息 540 厘　債仔包括紀律部隊成員 一借一還從不見面其中一名報案債仔是 28 歲的女文員，她在 07 年底根據廣告提供的聯絡方法向集團借了 8 千元，集團要求她以傳真方式提供個人資料進行審查。手續完成後，集團將貸款直接存入女事主的銀行戶口，之後女事主須每 10 日將 1,200 元利息存入集團指定的銀行戶口中，如此，雙方一借一還過程中，完全沒有見過面，相信集團目的是減低被捕風險。女事主一年內先後共還了 4 萬多元，但其後因無力還款被集團成員用手機向她及其擔保人進行恐嚇，並指她還欠 7 萬元未還，換言之她一年共要還款達 11 萬元，是她當日貸款的 14 倍，即年利率高達 540 厘，女事主恐怕泥足深陷，於是在去年底報案。警方連日拘捕 7 名集團成員，揭發受害債仔超過 150 人，據悉當中有警員、消防員及懲教員。

EDB 28

高利貸集團放數資料女債仔 07 年借款　 8,000 元每 10 日須還息　 1,200 元一年共還息（ 1,200X36 期）　 43,200 元年利率 540 厘， 08 年尚欠　 70,000 元 ( Source: modified and shortened from Apple Daily 31 July 2009)

EDB 29

Source B

樓按低息戰未停止• 新盤群起開動，吸引投資者及用家入市，銀行為搶奪市場

客源，不惜推出低息優惠等吸客。

• 由於各大中小銀行持續水浸，樓按市場便直接成為目標，各家銀行將夥拍發展商及代理或按揭公司等推出貼身的按揭優惠，務求在今次樓市復甦時搶奪市場佔有率。

• 業界指出，發展商與銀行的合作明顯積極，各大銀行除推出低處未見低的低息樓按外，還推出現金回贈、首兩年免息免供、採用優惠利率、定息及銀行同業拆息等五花百門等方式吸客，由於銀行之間的樓按競爭轉趨激烈，相信低息樓按計畫陸續有來。

 ( 資料來源 :撮寫自星島日報， 31-7-2009)

EDB 30

i. Refer to Source A, complete the following table

Item Amount ($) Item Amount ($)

Principal Interest per day

Principal outstanding

Total interest

Interest rate

8 000 120

70 000 43 200

540%

EDB 31

(1) From Source A, does the woman prefer earlier consumption or later consumption? Explain your answer with the

evidence from Source A.

(2) What price does the woman pay for her choice?

She prefers earlier consumption because she borrows money and pays an interest.

She has to pay very high interest. This is the cost of her choice.

(3) What advice would you give to the woman to reduce the cost of her choice?

Free response

EDB 32

ii. Refer to Source B.

(1)    How does the change in interest rate affect the cost of borrowing from these banks to buy properties?

(2)    Does the change in interest rate encourage more present or future consumption?

(3) Does the change in interest rate encourage people to buy properties? Why?

(1) The cost of borrowing from banks decreases as the interest rate falls. The money repaid to banks is smaller.

(2) The fall in interest rate encourages people to borrow money. So this encourages more present consumption.

(3) The fall in interest rate encourages people to borrow money to buy properties earlier because the cost is lower.

Sample 4: Use of websites and radio sound track

Topic: Corporate social responsibility ( New NSS Topic under Item (B) Firms and Production)

Questions:Do firms have similar corporate social responsibility?Why do firms need to bear corporate social responsibility?

EDB 33

Firm objectives and profit maximising output 34

Corporate social responsibility ( ) - Meaning

• http://www.csrinhongkong.com/default.htm• http://www.hongkongairport.com/eng/csr/index.htm

l• http://www.bochk.com/web/common/multi_section.

xml?section=about&level_2=corporate_citizenship&fldr_id=125

• http://www.swire.com/eng/csr/swirecommunity.htm• http://www.standardchartered.com.hk/sustainability

/en/• http://www.hkfairtradepower.com

樂施會「咖啡貿易要公平」運動咖啡貿易是樂施會「貿易要公平」運動的第一輪大型公眾行動。自 2002 年 10月開展以來，樂施會聯同美國、英國、西班牙、荷蘭等地樂施會；通過公眾教育、宣傳推廣、政策遊說、以至消費者行動等不同途徑要求四大咖啡焙炒商以合理價格向農民訂購咖啡豆；並要求各國政府及國際組織支援咖啡農；發達國家減低關稅和貿易壁壘。• 樂施會出售的「公平咖啡」是東非坦桑尼亞的卡蓋拉合

作社聯盟收購。• 樂施會以每包 1.41美元的價格向卡蓋拉合作社聯盟 (三萬 名咖啡農 )收購，為市價的三倍。 • 卡蓋拉合作社聯盟會將四分之一的利潤作農民借貸、學

校建設、改善衛生等對社區長遠發展有利的用途，其餘的利潤則會分發給農民。

• 樂施會「公平咖啡」的售價為每包 15 元正，每包「公平咖啡」包含十小包即溶咖啡。

HSBC avoids lending to or investing in projects that may cause much environmental damage-e.g. pollution of land, water and air and depletion of resources. In addition, it actively its employees in community services and invests in youth education.

CLP volunteers provide electricity safety inspection services to the elderly living alone in public housing estates

CLP Group provides a reliable supply of electricity to the public and makes contributions to the community by organising voluntary work, providing environmental education and charity donations.

36

Textbook

Firm objectives and profit maximising output 37

ii. Find and summarise the corporate social responsibility of the following organizations ( from the powerpoint) below.

Name of business ownership

Corporate social responsibility

1. Oxfam

2. Hong Kong Airport Authority

Name of business ownership

Corporate social responsibility

3. Bank of China ( Hong Kong)

4. Swire Group

5. Standard Chartered Bank

38Firm objectives and profit maximising output

Name of business ownership

Corporate social responsibility

6. HSBC

7. CLP Group

39Firm objectives and profit maximising output

iii. Suggest a major reason why a company should bear corporate social responsibility.

They want to build up their company image in the mind of potential investors and customers.

Free response

EDB 40

RTHK: LTV Café – Corporate Social Responsibility ( 29 May 2010)

再有第 13名富士康員工自殺！• 富士康董事長郭台銘親自到深圳廠房，了解員工自殺事件。但他的到訪不但沒有解決問題，反而再有員工接連自殺。

• 本月 26晚，廠區出現「第 12跳」，一名 23 歲，姓賀的員工，從 7 樓宿舍陽台墜樓身亡。據悉該員工是去年 6月入廠。至昨日凌晨，廠內傳出有第 13 人割脈自殺……

-- 資料來源：撮寫自《文匯報》， 28-5-2010

Students’ Role

Make pre-lesson preparation – tasks in worksheets Take part in class discussion and share ideas with

classmates Read textbook – it is students’ duty to read their

textbooks ( developing reading habit) Worksheets are designed to help students

understand the textbooks more easily. Exercise after each topic Test after each topic

EDB 41

Sharing resources with teachers of Econ Department

• Video bank in school intranet – free access to teachers

e.g. video clips of EDB, RTHK, some downloaded from TV / youtube and other sources.

• Class-based worksheets – meet the needs of students of different abilities and the teaching pace of teacher

• Share teaching strategies, resources and expertise

e.g. topic on externalities – share the experience ( teaching AL students ), techniques and resources ( a new ppt ) with the panel members

• Talk to panel members frequently to understand their difficulties and problems and share with them some good practices

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EDB 43

NSS Economics Self Evaluation for Students (2009-2010)Objectives of the survey: to collect information on students’ learning difficulties and interest in the

subject to help teachers devise appropriate teaching and learning materials and

strategies to motivate students to reflect on their studies, including their strengths

and weaknesses .

Name: ________________________ Class: _________Section A:Put a in an appropriate box below.1. I am interested in studying NSS Economics:

2. I have been working hard and doing well throughout this term in the subject.

EDB 44

3. I find the notes and exercises very useful in helping me understand the economic concepts and theories. I thus find it easier to read the textbook by myself.

4. I have difficulties in understanding economic concepts and organizing answers.

5. I have more difficulties answering multiple choice questions than short and structured questions.

6. I face heavy workload in the subject

EDB 45

Section B: Please feel free to write your comments/opinions/suggestions to the following items. You can write in English or Chinese. 7. The most difficult parts of the subject are ………( e.g. what topic? Drawing D&

S diagrams and etc.) How do you overcome these difficulties?

8. The most interesting parts of the subject are…….. (e.g. what skills do I learn? What knowledge can I apply in my daily life and etc?)

9. Do you always prepare for lessons? Why or why not?

10. Do you think preparing for lessons help with my understanding in class? Why or why not?

11. 11. Give your suggestions and comments on the notes/worksheets/exercises/tests assigned by your teacher. These should be based on the frequency, level of difficulties, examples used and etc.

12. Evaluate briefly on how you study the subject throughout the whole school term. Suggest ways which you can adopt to make improvement.

13. Any other comments or suggestions

Lesson observations

• Usually held at the end of the school term • Two colleagues observe the lesson at the same time, if technically

possible• Observe students’ responses to teacher’s questions.• Have students prepared for the lessons or completed the tasks

assigned?• Can they apply their economic knowledge to explain economic

phenomenon?• What about teacher’s sequence of teaching and questioning

technique?• What are the feedbacks from observing teachers? • Complete a form to record the lesson observed and duly signed.

EDB 46

Students’ responses and teachers’ questioning technique and skills to handle contingencies

Part 2: Internal Assessment

• Promotion of Assessment for Learning• Plans for internal summative assessment• Monitoring internal test / examination papers• Sharing session

EDB 47

Assessment for learningRoutine assessment: Exercises, worksheets and tests Exercises after each topic, worksheets and

tests ( Sample 1 and Sample 2)

Worksheets - “grades” attained( Grade A = 5 marks, Grade E = 1 mark)

Exercises – total marks for all exercises done in each term to be converted to a ___ % in term total

Test after each topic – total marks also converted to a __ % in term total

48

EDB 49

Sample 1

50

EDB 51

EDB 52

53

Positive Statements Vs Normative Statements

Read Sources A and B and answer the questions.

Source A: Positive and normative statements

Positive statements They are statements about facts – i.e. what is and what will be. They do not involve any value-judgement. So they are objective statements.They can be refutable by facts. What does this mean?For instance, the statement is - “There are 40 students in this class.”We can count the number of students in this class.(i) If there are exactly 40 students, then the statement is confirmed. (ii) If there are only 30 students, then the statement is refuted by fact.Therefore, positive statements are refutable by facts.

Sample of worksheetSample 2

54

Normative statements

They are statements about what should be or ought to be. They involve value judgement and thus are subjective. People can have different opinions or preferences so normative statements CANNOT be refuted. For instance, the statement is – “There should be 40 students in this class.”People can have different opinions.(i) Some agree 40 students are suitable since the cost can be smaller.(ii) Others may say the class size is too large so it is hard for the teachers to look after each student carefully.

55

Source B: Release of HKCEE (2009) and allocation of S6 places

News 1:考評局昨公布今年會考成績，共有 11 萬 5 千多人參加會考，包括 8 萬 2 千多名日校考生，當中逾5 萬 8 千人達升讀中六的最低要求，較去年增約 3千人。但中六學額只有 3 萬 3 千多個，平均 1.7 人爭一學位，競爭激烈。今年有逾 2 萬 2 千 4百名考生，考獲最佳六科獲14分或以上成績，預料中六收生首兩個階段之後，約 67% 的中六學額將被填滿。( 資料來源 :撮寫自星島日報， 8-5-2009)

Economic systems 56

News 2•學生收到成績單，如果六科考獲 14分或以上，下午 1 時前可以向原校報讀中六。若想報讀其他學校，下午 2 時至 5 時及明日上午可以申請。北區、元朗、大埔、荃灣、葵青及沙田區的聯招中心。•中六收生程序昨日結束，目前只餘長洲佛教慧因法師紀念中學仍有中六餘額，數目為 11 個；直資的匯知中學和聖瑪加利男女英文中小學，合共仍有 15 個。•照推算，現時仍有 2.9 萬名考獲升中六資格的考生，未有中六學位。由於只有一所公營中學仍有餘額，教育局取消中六統一派位，考生如要報讀該 11 個中六餘額，需自行到長洲慧因中學報讀。•中六收生程序昨進入第四階段，離島區 8所中學在東涌舉行聯招，從元朗趕到東涌的盧同學，是中五重讀生，成績反由 8分跌至 6分，未獲離島區中學取錄，只好轉到私校試一試，「放榜前預計有 20分，真係發夢都估唔到會落得如斯田地。」 ( 資料來源 :撮寫自星島日報， 8-8-2009)

Economic systems 57

1. Identify whether each of the followings is positive or normative statement.

Statements Positive or normative

i. There are more than 115 000 candidates sitting for the HKCEE (2009).

ii. There are more S6 places than the number of applicants.

iii. There should be more S6 places in Hong Kong.

iv. One of the students in Source B said, “ I should have got 20 points in this exam.”

v. There are seven “S6 Places Joint Admission Centres” mentioned in the news.

vi. Those who cannot find a S6 place are unlucky.

58

2.Read the conversation between two students and decide whether they are talking about positive or normative statement.

There should be more S6 places in Hong Kong. Further the minimum points for first round application can be reduced from 14 to 12 points.

There are more applicants than the number of S6 places. So many students have to queue for S6 places. If more S6 places are offered, then the government will have to spend more. Will the government raise more tax ?

Boy Girl

59

a. The boy on the left hand side is talking about __________ statements because

b. The girl on the right hand side is talking about _________statements because

60

c. Refer to the boy’s conversation, explain why he says, “Will the government raise more tax?”

d. Refer to the girl’s conversation, if the minimum requirement is reduced to 12 points for first round application, does this reduce the competition for S6 places?

61

An example: Positive and normative aspects of a public policy.

Environmental Levy Scheme

The objective of the Levy Scheme is to provide a direct economic incentive to encourage the public to use less plastic shopping bags.

The Levy Scheme will come into operation on 7 July 2009, and retailers covered by the Scheme ( namely supermarkets, convenience stores, personal health and beauty stores, drug stores, department stores, etc.) will no longer be allowed to provide free plastic shopping bags; and they must charge their customers an environmental levy for each plastic shopping bag they ask for.

The environmental levy is set at 50 cents for each plastic shopping bag.  This level is based on public opinion survey as well as previous voluntary campaigns which indicated that a levy of 50 cents would create sufficient incentive to reduce the use of plastic shopping bags on the one hand, but not exceeding a level generally accepted by the public on the other.

(Source; Environmental Protection Department, http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/psb/en/environmental_admin.html, simplified version)

62

Identify whether each of the followings illustrate positive or normative aspect of the above policy. Put a in the appropriate box.

Statements Positive Normative

1. Plastic bags are harmful to environment.

2. The levy increases the cost using plastic shopping bags.

3. Shops affected by the policy will have less business.

4. Only people who buy from some shops have to pay the tax so it is unfair.

5. Stalls in wet markets use more plastic bags but why they are not affected by the policy.

63

Identify whether each of the followings illustrate positive or normative aspect of the above policy. Put a in the appropriate box.

Statements Positive Normative

6. Consumers have to pay for a better and cleaner environment.

7. More people will use their own bags when doing shopping in supermarkets.

8. A 50 cents levy for each plastic shopping bag is fairly acceptable by the public.

9. The government can collect more tax revenue from the policy.

10.Other containers also pollute the environment. Why are they not subject to tax?

Assessment for learning

Routine assessment: Presentation of an economic topic - AL Students

(Sample 3 )

Students pre-lesson preparation

Students’ response to questions raised in class

Participation of ECA – e.g. school visit ( apply some economic concepts such as mechanisation, wage payment method, product diversification )

EDB 64

AL EconomicsPrice Floor

Case Study: Dairy industry in the US

Members: Tang Chung Yin

Tsang Ling Hong

Wong Nga Ying

Sample 3

• For a very long time, price floor has been imposed on dairy products in the US.

• Due to the Dairy Price Support Programme under which

• The government will buy up the surplus of dairy products

Case Study: Dairy industry in the US

http://iowaindependent.com/17994/feds-act-to-relieve-stress-of-dairy-farmers

Feds act to relieve stress of dairy farmers (adapted from The Iowa Independent)

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack announced today that his agency will increase the amount paid for dairy products through the Dairy Product Price Support Program. Vilsack estimates that that the increases, which will be in play from August 1 to October 31, will increase dairy farmer revenue nationally by $243 million.

“ The price increase announced today will provide immediate relief to dairy farmer around the country and keep many on the farm while they weather one of the worst dairy crisis in decades,” Vilsack said in a prepared statement.

Recently, dairy farmers call on the government to raise the price floor as the current level is too low

• Technological improvement in pesticides, breeding of species and fertilizers leads to a very large production of dairy products

Therefore, the price of dairy products gets lower year by year. The government thus has to impose a price floor to raise the income of dairy products.

• In addition, drought and mad cow diseases happen frequently in recent years.

• In order to protect their farmers, many countries implement trade restrictions(like import quota and tariff) .

• Therefore, farmers’s income in the US become more unstable.

• The government thus has to impose price floor to ensure the income of dairy farmers.

How can the price floor help raise the income of farmers

- Yellow part represents farmers’ original revenue.

- As the government will buy up the surplus, the blue part represents the increase in revenue.

- Farmers’ income thus increases.

There are two ways: 1. Price floor on dairy products 2. Price floor on imported dairy products

1. Price floor on dairy products

How can the price floor help raise the income of farmers

2. Price floor on imported dairy products

- Raise the price of imported dairy products.

- Imported dairy products and local dairy products are substitutes of each other.

- The consumption of local dairy products rise.

- Thus, farmers’ income rise.

Apart from increasing farmers’ income, are there any economic effects caused by price floor?

Yes!

Government Negative effects Government has an extra financial burden as it has to buy

up the surplus of dairy products. This may reduce government’s expenditure on other important issues.

If in certain years, the surplus is so large. The government has to spend more to help the farmers. This may increase the amount of tax to be collected in order to balance its budget.

Positive effects: This can keep a lot of farms operating, ensuring the supply

of farm products and the employment of staff working in farms.

Help the poor people as the government will usually donate the unsold dairy products to them.

International Level Price floor on imported dairy products (Protectionism) may bring a little bad effect to the economy of importing countries. Suppose France export dairy products to the US.

-France’s export of dairy products falls.

-Dairy companies in France will have less revenue.

-They may dismiss some staff.

-Unemployment in France may rise.

Internal summative assessment Setters and markers of examination papers and

school uniform tests– the first panel meeting at the beginning of the

school term ( Sample 1 ) - a fair share of duty and ensure no teacher is

overloaded.

Format of exam papers – standardised instructions and format ( Sample 2 for S3 EPA )

Marks allocation – Course work and examination paper

EDB 75

EDB 76

Sample 1

EDB 77

Sample 2

Monitoring internal test / examination papers

Flow chart:- Uniform test and exam papers submitted to panel-

chairperson for checking, then submitted to principal.- Standardised front cover of exam papers ( public exam

format ) ( Sample )- Question-answer books - Question papers with suggested answers submitted to

school office for file.- Soft copies saved in subject folder in school intranet.

EDB 78

EDB 79

Sample

EDB 80

Assessing the quality of test and examination papers

Before the submission date of the papers:- Discuss with panel members the topics

to be covered in the papers.- Make sure students can handle the topics covered in the test /

exam. - Make a clear division of duties among paper setters if more than

one teacher is going to set the paper. This will minimise the chance to set overlapping questions.

- Say clearly that teachers should avoid making direct adaption of past public examination papers or questions from test bank of textbook. Teachers should make changes to improve the quality of the papers.

- Save the papers in school intranet for checking – save paper and easier for editing

EDB 81

Assessing the quality of test and examination papers

Checking the papers: Make sure the papers

- meet the standardised format.- cover the examination syllabus thoroughly and have a “fair” allocation of marks to all the topics. - do not have questions which are overlapping.- make sure marks allocation is appropriate.- check to ensure no grammatical mistakes are made.

EDB 82

Assessing the quality of test and examination papers

Checking the papers:- Questions should have different level of difficulties – e.g.

definitions of economic terms, calculation and interpretation of data, application of economic knowledge to answer questions in different contexts as well as making recommendation on policy issue.

- Use red colour to show amendment has been made. - Talk to teachers why I make those changes. Usually teachers

accept to make these changes if the reasons are sound and convincing.

- Compliment work of authenticity and make remarks on the appraisal form ( to be completed at the end of school term )

EDB 83

Assessing the quality of test and examination papers

Final stage:- Allow some time for the teachers to make

necessary amendment.- Make sure to meet the deadline of the school.- Do not allow panel members to submit their

work late without acceptable excuse.- Keeping the papers confidential and safe.- Submit final paper to office for printing.

EDB 84

Assessing the quality of test and examination papers

After the exam:- Final check the marking scheme to make sure the suggested

answers and mark allocation are appropriate.- Liase with markers to find if they face any difficulties in

marking and know tentatively the general performance of the students.

- Add the marks in all sections carefully.- Remind teachers to calculate the final marks carefully ( term

total = __ % of exam papers and ____ % of SBA )- Submit a copy of exam paper with marking scheme to school

office for file and a soft copy in subject folder in school intranet.- Complete exam evaluation form ( Sample )– reflecting on the

performance of students and helping to make remedial actions if necessary. 85

EDB 86

Sample

EDB 87

Part 3: Development of the Economics Panel

• Interface between junior and secondary level• Implementation of SBA• Planning in line with school short and medium

term goals• Sharing session

EDB 88

Interface between junior and secondary level

Existing PSHE curriculum in school:S1 and S2 – Integrated HumanitiesS3 – EPAS4 and S5 – NSS Economics ( 3 classes )S6 and S7 – AL Economics

EDB 89

S3 EPA

No textbook in this school year Form based worksheets to facilitate learning

and teaching - Syllabus ( Sample 1 )- Worksheets are prepared mainly by the

panel-chairperson and core teacher in Economics / EPA

Pre-lesson preparation report in some topics. ( Sample 2 )

EDB 90

S3 EPA Syllabus

Part 1: The Characteristics of the HK Economy- Types of production- Main features of the HK Economy Private property rights

HK as the freest economy in the world ( Heritage Foundation )

- The Role of the HK government in the HK EconomyPart 2: Hong Kong as an Industrial, Trade and International

Financial Centre( Part 1 and 2 – cover Strand 5 in PSHE KLA Curriculum S1-S3)Part 3 : The Mass Media – NSS Liberal StudiesPart 4: Corruption – NSS Liberal Studies

91

Sample 1

EDB 92

Sample 2

EDB 93

EDB 94

Implementation of SBA

• Time table

• Assessment form ( Sample 2 )

EDB 95

Item Submission date1 News commentary – NSS 4 summer vacation

assignment ( Sample 1 )Beginning of new school term in NSS5

2 Essay - NSS 5 After lunar new year holiday

3 News commentary – NSS5 summer vacation assignment ( to be decided )

Beginning of new school term in NSS6

EDB 96

Sample 1

EDB 97

Sample 2

Planning in ling with school short and medium term goals

Programme plan for EPA and Economics- In line with the major concerns of the school annual

school plan

- Major aspects of the programme plan for EPA and Economics ( Sample 1, 2 and 3 )

- Development of PSHE ( EPA Club) ( Sample 4 )

EDB 98

EDB 99

Sample 1

EDB 100

Sample 2

EDB 101

Sample 3

Development of PSHE - EPA Club ( In EPA/Econ Programme Plan Major Concern 3 )

Objective : - broaden students’ other learning experience (OLE); and

train upper form students to become student leadersActivities:- School visit to a business organisation ( Chairperson –

forward application letter and recruit participants ) - EPA Club board display – theme topic designed by EPA

committee members- PSHE week with other school clubs namely Geography,

History, Chinese History and HistoryEDB 102

Sample 4

103

EDB 104

EDB 105

EDB 106

EDB 107

Thanks