Influencers vs Producers

Year Level

Year 10

Duration

60 minutes

Class Size

20 students

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Curriculum Alignment

Australian Curriculum Version 9 — Economics and Business (Years 7-10)

• Content description:
  • AC9HE10S03 – Interpret information and data, explaining economic and business issues, trends and economic cause-and-effect relationships, and make predictions about consumer and financial impacts.
  • AC9HE10S04 – Develop and evaluate a response to an economic and business issue, using cost-benefit analysis or criteria to decide on a course of action.
• General capabilities: Literacy, Critical and Creative Thinking, ICT Capability, Personal and Social Capability.

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Lesson Title

Difference Between Influencers & Producers

Lesson Description

Students will examine and critically analyse the roles, characteristics, and economic impacts of online influencers and product producers. They will explore how these two types of business actors contribute to markets, consumer behaviour, and branding, with focus on the digital economy.

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Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

1. Define and differentiate between online influencers and product producers as key players in modern business ecosystems.
2. Analyse the impact of influencers and producers on consumer choices and market trends.
3. Evaluate the economic role of both influencers and producers using basic cost-benefit perspectives.
4. Apply relevant economic and business terminology in discussions and presentations.

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Materials Needed

• Whiteboard and markers
• Projector or smartboard
• Printed or digital handouts with brief case studies on an influencer and a producer
• Chart paper and markers
• Devices with internet access for research (optional)

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Lesson Structure

1. Introduction (10 minutes)

• Engage: Begin with a quick brainstorm: "What comes to mind when you hear the word 'influencer' versus 'producer'?" and write responses on the board.
• Clarify: Introduce formal definitions:
  • Producer: An individual or company that creates a product, e.g., manufacturers, artisans.
  • Influencer: An individual who uses social media presence to affect consumers' purchasing decisions, mostly without producing goods themselves.
• Set Purpose: Explain how both roles are crucial in the modern economy and digital marketplace.

2. Exploration Activity - Case Studies (15 minutes)

• Group Work: Break class into 4 groups (5 students each).
• Each group receives a case study:
  • Two groups get one case about a product producer (e.g., a company making sustainable apparel).
  • Two groups get a case on an influencer (e.g., a social media figure promoting brands).
• Task: Identify the key roles, strengths, and challenges from their case study. Use guiding questions:
  • What value do they add to the marketplace?
  • How do they influence consumer behaviour or market trends?
  • What risks or costs might be involved in their business model?

3. Sharing & Discussion (15 minutes)

• Groups present their findings to the class (3-4 minutes each).
• Facilitate discussion comparing and contrasting influencers and producers.
• Write key points on the board, focusing on economic roles, market impact, and business strategies.

4. Economic Analysis Activity (10 minutes)

• Mini cost-benefit analysis: As a class, select one influencer and one producer example.
• Discuss possible benefits (e.g., market reach, product innovation) and costs/risks (e.g., reputation risk for influencers, production costs for producers).
• Link this back to AC9HE10S04 about evaluating responses to business issues.

5. Reflection & Assessment (10 minutes)

• Students individually complete a short written reflection answering:

  • How do influencers and producers depend on each other in the digital economy?
  • Which role do you think has more influence on consumer purchasing decisions and why?
  • Include at least two economic/business terms learned today.

• Collect reflections for assessment of understanding.

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Differentiation & Extensions

• For struggling learners: Provide sentence starters or graphic organisers for the reflection activity.
• For advanced learners: Encourage the exploration of ethical considerations or corporate social responsibility in influencer marketing and production.

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Assessment Criteria

• Participation in group discussions and presentations.
• Application of economic and business concepts during discussions.
• Quality and insightfulness of individual reflection, showing understanding of influencers and producers and their economic impact.

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Follow-Up/Homework

• Students research one Australian influencer and one Australian producer relevant to their interests.
• Prepare a short presentation or infographic showing how each contributes economically and socially.

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Teacher Notes

• Emphasise the evolving nature of business roles in the digital economy.
• Encourage critical thinking about social media’s role in business and consumer decisions.
• Integrate cross-curriculum capabilities, encouraging ethical and social perspectives on business influence.

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This lesson design leverages specific content descriptions from the Australian Curriculum v9 Economics and Business for Year 10, focusing on interpreting business information, economic impacts, and decision-making using cost-benefit considerations. It balances student engagement with higher-order thinking appropriate for Year 10, aiming to impress teachers with a clear, interactive and curriculum-aligned framework.