Business planning... or Marketing Campaigns

For your entrepreneur/innovation/inventor project you do not have to do a business plan. However, you do need to prepare a product, having done market research. You need to design and refine a product that suits a need you have discovered. You do not need to actually construct a completely functional prototype if it's too tricky, but actual products made to a high standard would be very cool! If you don't make an actual model, you do need some form of high quality visual presentation. Use your IT skills whever possible. You will be presenting your "sales pitch" at a trade fair in the gym in week 10. You will probably have no more than a desk space to work with. It will need to be made to look professional. Again, as with all posts, we will clarify this in class.
In class we will continue to investigate the powers of advertising as part of our integrated learning through reading and other language lessons. This will improve your ability to create an irresistable marketing plan - bold statements, catchy phrases, effective colours, snazzy jingles!
As producers of goods for sale you need to be aware of the consumer guarantees act, consumer rights and the responsibilities of producers and advertisers. [We will go over all terms used here in class.]
See below some websites with information relating to these topics:

http://www.consumeraffairs.govt.nz/consumerinfo/cga/

http://www.consumer.org.nz/reports/consumer-guarantees-act

The Advertising Standards Authority

Now Create Your Own AD! Click here to begin...

Media Literacy

What is media literacy? How does it relate to you young Woodmonstas? It may be amongst the most important areas of learning for your generation.
The following material is from the website "Dont' Buy It" ... [It's a really interesting interactive site with topics for you to reflect upon, like why bother buying designer clothes or trying to look like a super model.]
"What is Media Literacy?

Media literacy empowers people to be both critical thinkers and creative producers of an increasingly wide range of messages using image, language and sound. It is the skillful application of literacy skills to media and technology messages. As communication technologies transform society, they impact our understanding of ourselves, our communities and our diverse cultures, making media literacy an essential life skill for the 21st Century.

--Alliance for a Media Literate America

Media literacy goes beyond the idea of reading and writing. It requires media consumers to effectively analyze and evaluate the numerous media messages we encounter.

Media education can facilitate students' reflections on their media experiences and help them develop critical thinking skills. The classroom exercises proposed in this guide may support many different subject areas, including arts and language, mathematics, health and nutrition"

- http://pbskids.org/dontbuyit/

Access the site and check out the activities. It relates to our thematic learning on entrepreneurs etc because we will be advertising our innovations and inventions at our class trade fair this term.