Active learning ideas
Globalisation is the process of increased integration and interdependence between national economies. In this topic, students examine the drivers of this trend, such as containerisation, trade liberalisation, and the rise of the internet. They evaluate why UK businesses seek to expand into international markets, to find new customers, access cheaper resources, or achieve greater economies of scale.
Activity 01
Assign each group a country with different resources and 'trade barriers.' They must negotiate deals to manufacture and sell a product, experiencing first-hand the impact of tariffs and exchange rate shifts.
What factors have contributed to the rise of globalisation?
Activity 02
Students look at the labels on their own clothes or tech. In pairs, they map out the likely global journey of that product, from raw materials to final assembly, identifying why each stage happens in a different country.
Why do businesses seek to operate in international markets?
Activity 03
One side argues that globalisation has lifted millions out of poverty; the other argues it has led to the exploitation of workers and environmental damage. They must use specific UK and global examples.
How do exchange rate fluctuations affect international competitiveness?
A few notes on teaching this unit
Watch Out for These Misconceptions
Globalisation is a brand new phenomenon.
Global trade has existed for centuries. What is new is the *speed* and *scale* of integration due to technology. Using historical timelines of the British Empire helps students see the long-term evolution of global trade.
A weak pound is always bad for UK businesses.
A weak pound makes UK exports cheaper and more competitive abroad, though it makes imports more expensive. Peer-calculating the impact on an exporter vs. an importer helps clarify this 'SPICED' concept.
Methods used in this brief