Peer Review

Planet Money Makes a T-Shirt

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Reviewed:: Sep 1, 2014 by Sociology

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Ratings

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Content Quality:

Effectiveness:

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Overview:: Consider global supply, production, and distribution chains involved in obtaining such a simple article of clothing as a T-shirt. NPR's Plant Money did by creating this enlightening rich-media series. Each of the five parts (cotton, machines, people, boxes, you) is comprised of a short overview video, followed by images, text, graphics, and links to additional resources that deconstruct the process. The webpage graphically illustrates the global system that has evolved to generate the highest profitability for capitalist enterprises.
Type of Material:: This is a simple webpage with five short videos. Each video is followed by text describing additional facts regarding the manufacture and distribution of the product. Additional links leading to informative supplementary materials are embedded in the text.
Recommended Uses:: Content can be used for homework assignments along with guiding questions for student self-reflection. It may also be incorporated into lecture and class discussion about the nature and the effects of the global economy. Instructors might also use this as background for discussing a variety of other economic issues, such as capitalist labor exploitation.
Technical Requirements:: The only requirements are to have high-speed Internet and a web browser.
Identify Major Learning Goals:: The purpose of this content is to heighten public awareness with regard to the nature of the global economy which exploits numerous locations around the world in order to maximize profitability. This suggests the fundamental question: should we be satisfied with such exploitation that has replaced the old system of local production? The primary goal of this webpage is to stimulate questions of this nature for class discussion, which should then lead to comparisons of costs and benefits of local versus global economies.
Target Student Population:: Content is relevant for classroom use from junior high school through college. The videos are highly informative and present a clear and straightforward description and analysis.
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:: None.

Content Quality

Rating:
Strengths:: The videos are of excellent value for instruction about the contemporary global economy. They well-illustrate that although a T-shirt is a simple article of clothing, it is produced and distributed within a highly complex international system.
Concerns:: The website is geared towards educating the general public. It is an excellent resource in itself, but instructors should encourage students to use additional linked materials for more in-depth treatment.

Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool

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Strengths:: The website is visually appealing and easy to move through. It provides enlightening materials for students to view and read. The content drives home the lesson that profitability dictates production and distribution, rather than the needs of people. Video content is excellent, and appeals to both cognitive and emotional learning.
Concerns:: The only limitation is that it does not enlist direct student engagement with materials. For this reason, student may tend to passively watch videos. A revision would profit from inclusion of interactive components.

Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty

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Strengths:: The website is intuitive and easy to use. Users need only click on chapter links and then click on each of the posters while moving toward bottom of page. After each video is shown, a prompt leads student to then scroll down through accompanying text.
Concerns:: None.

Other Issues and Comments:: This website provides introductory treatment of the global economy, and should stimulate student interest in learning more about this system. It would serve as a great supplemental resource for a variety of courses across sociology, economics, political science, and business.
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