Civics & Citizenship · Year 10

Active learning ideas

Globalisation and its Impacts

Active learning helps students grasp the complexity of globalisation by moving beyond abstract definitions to tangible experiences. These activities let them debate real trade-offs, analyse concrete case studies, and map personal connections to global systems, making the topic both relevant and memorable.

• ACARA Content Descriptions
• AC9C10K03

• 35–50 min
• Pairs → Whole Class
• 4 activities

Activity 01

• World Café
• 50 min · Small Groups

Debate Carousel: Globalisation Pros and Cons

Divide class into four groups, each assigned a stance: economic benefits, economic drawbacks, cultural gains, cultural losses. Groups prepare 3-minute arguments with evidence from Australian examples like mining exports. Rotate positions twice, debating against opponents and noting counterpoints on shared charts.

Analyze the economic benefits and drawbacks of globalisation.

Facilitation Tip

During the Debate Carousel, assign roles clearly and rotate speakers every 90 seconds to keep energy high and ensure all students contribute.

What to look for

Pose the question: 'Is the increasing availability of global brands and media in Australia a positive or negative development for our national identity? Why?' Encourage students to provide specific examples and justify their viewpoints, considering both enrichment and potential dilution of local culture.

• Understand
• Apply
• Analyze
• Social Awareness
• Relationship Skills

Activity 02

• Jigsaw
• 45 min · Small Groups

Jigsaw: Australian Trade Deals

Assign expert groups to analyze one deal, such as China-Australia Free Trade Agreement: economic data, job impacts, cultural exchanges. Experts then teach their findings to home groups via posters. Home groups synthesize to predict future opportunities and challenges.

Evaluate the impact of globalisation on national identity.

Facilitation Tip

For the Case Study Jigsaw, provide Australian trade data tables in advance so groups can focus on analysis rather than searching for information.

What to look for

Provide students with a short news article about a recent international trade agreement involving Australia. Ask them to identify one potential economic benefit and one potential political challenge for Australia mentioned or implied in the text.

• Understand
• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Relationship Skills
• Self-Management

Activity 03

• World Café
• 40 min · Pairs

Future Scenarios Role-Play

Pairs create and perform 2-minute skits depicting 2050 Australia under scenarios: hyper-globalised world or protectionist shift. Include economic, cultural, political elements with props like fake news headlines. Class votes and discusses realism based on current trends.

Predict the future challenges and opportunities presented by globalisation.

Facilitation Tip

In the Future Scenarios Role-Play, give each character a one-page brief with key interests and constraints to guide authentic negotiation.

What to look for

On an index card, have students write down one specific product they have consumed recently that is likely manufactured overseas. Then, ask them to briefly explain one economic or cultural impact this global connection might have on Australia.

• Understand
• Apply
• Analyze
• Social Awareness
• Relationship Skills

Activity 04

• World Café
• 35 min · Small Groups

Global Footprint Mapping

Individuals list 10 daily items and trace origins using online tools or labels. In small groups, map connections on butcher paper, noting Australian links like tech imports. Discuss collective impacts on identity and economy.

Analyze the economic benefits and drawbacks of globalisation.

Facilitation Tip

During Global Footprint Mapping, start with a whole-class example before letting teams trace their own items to build confidence and consistency.

What to look for

Pose the question: 'Is the increasing availability of global brands and media in Australia a positive or negative development for our national identity? Why?' Encourage students to provide specific examples and justify their viewpoints, considering both enrichment and potential dilution of local culture.

• Understand
• Apply
• Analyze
• Social Awareness
• Relationship Skills

A few notes on teaching this unit

Approach globalisation as an interconnected system rather than a set of separate issues. Use real data from the ABS and trade agreements to ground discussions, and avoid framing it as purely economic to prevent oversimplification. Research shows students retain more when they experience both macro trends and micro impacts, so balance big-picture analysis with personal connections.

Students will articulate balanced perspectives on globalisation’s impacts, back claims with evidence from multiple sources, and connect economic, cultural, and political dimensions through collaborative tasks. Success looks like informed debates, accurate case studies, and clear links between global choices and local effects.

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Watch Out for These Misconceptions

• During the Debate Carousel, watch for students claiming globalisation brings only economic benefits to Australia.

  Redirect the group to the ABS trade data table provided for their case study, asking them to identify job losses in manufacturing linked to outsourcing and wage stagnation trends.

• During the Future Scenarios Role-Play, watch for students assuming Australian culture remains unchanged by global influences.

  Prompt the ‘Cultural Advocate’ character to reference specific examples like the popularity of sushi or Indigenous dot painting in global galleries to spark discussion.

• During Global Footprint Mapping, watch for students treating globalisation as purely an economic process.

  Ask teams to trace one item back to a trade agreement, like the Trans-Pacific Partnership, and explain how politics shaped its production and sale.

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Methods used in this brief

• World Café
• Jigsaw