A billion dollars is a lot of money to most of us but not in the tech world.
1)Do a quick class or group brainstorm about the big tech events of 2012.
2)Move the discussion into the most expensive ones.
3)Show/share this site:
http://www.bloomberg.com/slideshow/2012-12-10/what-a-billion-was-worth-in-tech-in-2012.html#slide6
4)Put students into groups and give them time to read the pages.
5)Go through each and elicit:
1)A summary
2)Opinions
Alternatives
1)Give each pair on story and ask them to present it and lead a short discussion
2)Set one for homework research followed by class debate
3)Ask groups to plan how to make a billion in one year in the tech world
4)Show slide 1 (a summary) and elicit the stories it mentions.
5)Lead a class discussion about:
How do internet startups become worth a million and a billion dollars?
This is a great lesson concept. I fear my students might be blocked a little by the general and language knowledge necessary to comprehend the Bloombery texts, though. What level of class did you design this for?
ReplyDeleteCheers Betty.
DeleteI do most of these with C1+ students and a few with C2+ so vocab doesn't tend to be an issue except for very technical or interesting language.
You could pitch the idea down a bit by only provided part of the text, splitting it up or just giving basic gist questions. PTV could help too. I generally want speaking activities though so the input is just an introduction or stimulus. My students don't want lots or even any dull comprehension questions.