Another great video for revision - exchange rates
The BBC have produced another great short video that could be used for revision. Here they look at the effects of a strong pound.
Don’t forget the great mnemonic for remember the effects of a strong pound:
read more...»World Trade Organisation
After a 7 year battle the WTO has now ruled that Boeing received illegal subsidies from the US Government
read more...»Great video - Widening gap between cities
This is a great short video on the widening gap between UK cities. Lots of key terms for your budding economists to listen to.
Introduction to globalisation via the UK car market
For those of us eagerly awaiting the release of the Case Study for OCR GCSE Economics Unit 593, the topic of globalisation provides a nice stepping stone to the more challenging material. Data out this week from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders gives an insight into the motor industry and shows an increase of 5.8% in production by Britain’s car assembly plants.
read more...»House prices fall
According to official figures, house prices declined in all areas of Britain except London, East Midlands and the North East over the last year.
House prices in Britain fell by 0.3 per cent on average in the year to November 2011.
Global house prices
Some really interesting data here on global house prices.
It shows that the UK is ranked 30th in terms of how house prices have changed in quarter 3 of 2011.
Eurozone in charts
Another great set of interactive graphs here. This set allows you to compare all EU countries deficits, GDP, debt and unemployment. Not only is this great for starting up some discussion but also could be used for some delicious data questions.
Best and worst case scenarios for the EU
Here is a great interactive graphic from the BBC to show the best and worst case scenarios for the EU. A good resource to be using at the end of term!
Great graphic - European debt
It can be quite hard for students to understand the European debt crisis. This interactive graphic from the Telegraph is great for showing students.
How happy are you?
British people rate their life satisfaction as 7.4 out 10 in the new flagship happiness survey. The poll of 4,200 adults was carried out by the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
read more...»Web of debt - interactive data
Some great interactive data from the BBC on who owes who and how much. A great way to show GCSE (and A Level) students.
Going on holiday this summer?
So you have booked your holiday, excited about going, you have your spending money all sorted but there is a problem….... how far will it go?
Exchange rates have had a huge impact on peoples spending power when they go abroad on holiday. The weak pound has been welcomed by exporters but holiday makers do not like it. To explain this I am going to use one of my favourite and longest serving mnemonics - WIDEC.
Fantastic graphics on Asia
For all students studying international Economics this interactive data from the BBC is fantastic. You can compare GDP and income statistics with life expectancy, education, energy and health for a number of Asian countries.
This is a must for all GCSE students and even students studying standard of living at A Level.
EU says yes to Croatia!
Croatia is going to be the 28th country to enter the European Union. This likely to happen in 2013.
Click here to see a profile of Croatia.
This is particularly useful for those students taking the global ad international paper for GCSE.
Blackpool’s bank holiday bonanza
Having worked in Blackpool for 4 years this news story made me cheer. Blackpool, having recently invested £350 million into regeneration projects, is set to benefit greatly from the double header of long bank holiday weekends.
Blackpool used to be the place to holiday but unfortunately more recently its popularity has waned with the emergence of cheap holidays abroad.
Great short video on Eurozone interest rates and much more
I have just seen this on the news at 10. It is a fantastic video looking at the change in interest rates in the Eurozone.
It is packed full with some great figures, really useful for the OCR GCSE Economics Global Economy paper and also for those study OCR A Level Economics and doing the pre-released case study.
Standard of living - most liveable city
An annual survey by the Economist Intelligence Unit has put Vancouver as the most liveable city in the world. The survey ranks cities in five areas – stability, health care, culture and environment, education and infrastructure. Each city receives a rating out of 100, with 100 per cent considered to be ideal and 0 per cent intolerable. In second place came Melbourne, Austrialia followed by Vienna, Austria in third place.
read more...»China overtakes Japan to go 2nd
A watershed moment for the world economy?
If you are studying the global economy at the moment the latest information on economy sizes will be both interesting and useful to you. Japan’s economy was worth $5.474 trillion (£3.414 trillion) at the end of 2010, whereas China’s economy was closer to $5.8 trillion in the same period.
Here is a great article with some great data for students to use.
read more...»The World on Wednesday
As part of the GCSE course students look at international economics and globalisation. Here is a great link to up to date information on the Turkish economy.
End of term quiz!
With just a few days left of term for some, you may be looking for something to keep your students entertained which is to do with Economics. Well the Guardian have been come to the rescue today with the fourth part of their Business Quiz 2010, this part is about all things economics that have happened this year.
Economic growth in the Eurozone - activity
The BBC have a great short clip on economic growth in the eurozone. This would make a great lesson looking at the Eurozone, the countries in it and finding data on their main macroeconomic indicators.
Global economics - the unsung heroes
If your year 11 students are doing the OCR specification they will be preparing for their paper on international economics. This article is really interesting as it looks at the smaller nations across the world which contribute vital materials and therefore play an important part in the global economy. The article looks at Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Thailand, South Africa, Indonesia, Peru and the Ivory Coast.
Great video - Why bail out Ireland
The BBC have produced a great short video which will help answer the question why should the UK bail out Ireland.
Great exchange rates video
The BBC have done a great job here and produced a great short video on exchange rates and how they work. There are also short videos on the US and China and their currencies.
Great video - Why the UK imports apples
This video is a great starter for international trade topics for year 11 students.
China leaps ahead of Japan
There are some great news stories out today for the OCR A593 international paper as we see China leap frog Japan to become the number 2 economy in the world. How long will it take China to get ahead of the USA who occupy the top spot? China is already the biggest exporter, auto buyer and steel producer. China’s GDP for the second quarter of 2010 stood at $1.337 trillion, more than Japan’s $1.288 trillion.
Japan has held the second spot in the world standings since 1968.
read more...»
Global recession timeline
This a great teaching resource from the BBC, a global recession timeline. it contains some short video clips and data. A great start to a lesson next term.
Indian interest rates rise
This is a great little video on Indian inflation causing interest rates to rise. A great end of term starter which can get pupils starting to think about Economics in the international context.
Good news if you are going on holiday to Europe
The pound against the euro has strengthen in recent months meaning must needed relief for British holidaymakers going to Europe.
As you can see from the graph the value of the pound has risen from £1=1.125 Euros at the beginning of April 2010 to £1=1.24 Euros at the end of July 2010.
Boost to Blackpool following promotion
As a Nottingham Forest supporter it pains me to write this, however I am not one to miss out on a good blog item. Having worked in Blackpool for 4 years I know how much it has been hampered by its image. However could the play off final have put Blackpool back on the map and brought in much needed revenue for the football club and the town.
