Calls, Messaging and Browsing

Calls, messaging and browsing

Choosing a plan

Mobile credit

Mobile phone advertising

Security

Getting started

This set of digital activities is for Year 5 – 6 students. Each activity is available for download at the MoneySmart Teaching Resource Centre. The activities can be used in a variety of pedagogical settings and are suited to a range of groupings.

The learning design features branching scenarios which provide opportunities for students to role play within a scenario, make decisions on mobile phone use and then see the consequences of their actions. Through the use of status meters students are encouraged to reflect on their mobile phone use and the views of a peer group within the activity, then think about how their parents would react to the decisions they made within the scenario.

Positive behaviors are reinforced with the visual help of these data meters throughout the scenarios with references to checking with parents or other adults for advice and guidance and locating information on how to get help from your mobile phone provider or

other agencies. On completion students can repeat the activity making different decisions to change the way they use the mobile phone and improve the overall outcome of the scenario. Some scenarios feature an interactive slider which allows them to experiment with mobile phone usage to see the consequences on their plan.

Activity duration is approximately 15 minutes each, although this may vary depending on whether students are undertaking them with an adult or as a self guided activity. This set of activities can be used on a computer or iPad.

The activities have been designed to be used in any of three ways:

as part of the MoneySmart Teaching Primary and Secondary professional learning packages’ units of work,
as standalone activities for use in the classroom, or
as a tool for engaging parents/carers in their child’s learning at home.

Besides these Teacher notes the front page of each activity provides links to:

Parent notes
Curriculum mapping
National Consumer and Financial Literacy Framework mapping
End user specifications
Contact details
Copyright information

www.teaching.moneysmart.gov.au

Links to additional MoneySmart Teaching resources

MoneySmart Teaching Primary package:

The package for Foundation to Year 6 can be found on the MoneySmart Teaching website at MoneySmart Teaching Packages.

MoneySmart Teaching mobile phone digital activities for Years 7 – 8:

Advertising

Entertainment

Premium Services

Security

Social Media

Go to the MoneySmart Teaching Resource Centre

Other resources

Visit MoneySmart Teaching where you will find additional resources from ASIC and a range of organisations, including units of work, videos, games and more.

Preparation and delivery

The activities have been designed for flexible classroom delivery so that teachers and students can use them in a range of ways to suit different teaching and learning needs. They can be used individually or as a suite of activities and can be used to complement existing units of work.

When instructing students on how to approach the activities it is suggested that you include the following advice:

In the activity you will play the role of a person within a scenario or story. You will be making decisions for that person based on what you think you would do with your mobile phone in that situation.
Each time you make a decision about using the mobile phone you will see how your 'friends' react in the scenario by checking the 'friend status' meter. Sometimes these friends will be happy with your decision and at other times they will disagree with it.
Decisions you make will affect your mobile phone's data usage. Look for the summaries of data usage as you work through the scenario.
You will have the chance to reflect on your decisions using the 'rate yourself' meter. At the end of the activity once you have received a final account of how you went in the scenario, you will be able to use the parent status meter to reflect on how your parents might feel about the choices you've made.
During the scenario there will be some advice from other people such as parents or teachers. Remember to read through this advice because this contains important information. There is also a summary at the end so you can find out more about the things covered in a scenario.

Ideas for delivery

The activities can be undertaken by students working through the scenarios solo, in small groups, or as a whole class making decisions together.

Some activities feature an account of data usage at the end. Ask students to note their data usage at the end of the activity and compare their results with other students in the class. Encourage students with high data usage to try the activity again once they have been debriefed on how to minimise data use.

When students have worked through the activity discuss issues that have arisen through the scenario such as the importance of mobile phone security, the risks of in-app purchasing, or the potential consequences of entering competitions.

Agree on some key take away messages or learnings with the class. For younger students it is suggested these should include:

Pre-paid mobile plans ensure that you don't spend too much money on your phone;
If you have a problem or if you are unsure what to do, ask a parent or another adult;
The mobile phone service provider should be contacted by parents/other adults to seek advice on problems;
If the mobile service provider is not able to resolve a problem there are agencies which can help.

Enduring understandings and deeper learnings

The five activities cover the following concepts in relation to mobile phones:

Informed responsible choices around mobile plans and use can save you money AND/OR pre-paid mobile plans can save you money.
You can access help from parents, providers or other agencies when mobile phone issues arise.
Data usage and spending is the responsibility of the user and can be expensive.
Scams, spam and cyberbullying can be avoided through secure and safe usage.

Activity topics

PLEASE NOTE: All activities are simulated within the scenarios. There is no direction or requirement to subscribe to real apps or services, make calls on a mobile phone, or send SMS messages.

Key learning areas: English, Mathematics

Calls, messaging and browsing

This activity features an interactive mobile phone usage tool. Students can see the impact that voice, text and data usage have on a pre-paid plan. In this scenario students have a $30 pre-paid plan.