"The Roadmap To Purchasing My First New Car"

(Picture courtesy of http://www.i-c-s.com/midwest/knzbmw.htm)



(Developed by G. Lehmann, Fenton High School, Department of Business Education)


Subject/Content Area

Course: Consumer Education/Business Education

Educator: Mr. Lehmann

Grade level: 11,12

Length of Unit: 2 weeks

Length of Chapter: 2 - 4 Days

Length of Period: 55 minutes

Learner Description

Class Size: Approximately 30 students; Grades 11 and 12; 70% Caucasian; 20% Hispanic; 5% Asian; 5% other. Student background's vary greatly. Approximately 60-70% of the students reside within blue collar worker homes with no access to the Internet system. It is probably safe to say that only around 5% of the students will have some type of access to the Internet after leaving the school setting. Parental support is limited in most cases and the Hispanic parents generally have a difficult time with the English language.

Time Frame for Carrying Out Project

Students/Teacher will discuss the topic for approximately four days. Students will be given five class periods (55 minutes in length) to investigate the Internet to find applicable material in order to complete their project.

Purpose/Goal

For students to have a better understanding on the decision-making process of purchasing a car and use the E-Mail System on the Internet to contact experts within the car-buying field.

Learner Outcomes

Students will be able to make a good buying decision after completing the following:

* determine a monthly car payment based on the loan information provided by a bank.
* determine the reliability of the vehicle chosen.
* identify the do's and don't's of buying a car.
* use and send E-Mail using the Internet system.
* make an informed buying decision taking into account the following: look of car, cost, * safety, reliability, and the cost of insurance.
* deciding on whether to purchase a new or used car depending on income factors.

Context/Setting/Environment

Unfortunately, you have lent your car to your best friend. Prom is in five weeks and you're looking forward to finally being able to drive your own car to the gala event. When your friend returns, you find out that your car was totaled in a car accident. Luckily for you, it wasn't your friend's fault. The insurance company of the party at fault will be mailing you a check for $6,000. After discussing the matter with your parents, you both have decided that you are better off in buying a new car. Your parents though, believe it's your responsibility of buying the car. Based on your anticipated future income and savings, it's your job to determine what type of car to purchase.

Project Description

Students will go through the process of purchasing a used or new car based on income constraints. An informed buying decision must be made by contacting the following types of agencies: insurance companies, dealerships, experts in the field (e-mail), banks, etc.

Assessment of Students involved in the Project

The assessments are designed to measure learner outcomes.
Performance Assessment must be:
Performance-based
Generative
Equitable
Rubrics Checklist

Ask yourself these questions:
  • Does the assessment engage learners in a real-world task or application?
  • Does the assessment allow students an equal opportunity to perform?
  • Does the assessment allow students to use higher-level thinking and problem solving skills.
  • Does the assessment allow students to achieve one criteria while advancing to another?
  • Did I create a rubric to evaluate the students' progress throughout the task?
  • Did I allow the students to help develop goals and criteria for the evaluation of the task?

    • Evaluation of the Project

    Based on the indicators found in "Plugging In", pages 8 and 14, tables 1 & 2, this evaluation will measure how well I achieved my goal. It also provides an opportunity to answer these three questions:
    What worked?
    What didn't?
    What would I change?


    (Photo courtesy fo Ed-Linc Chevy Geo Tracker, permission pending)







    My apologies to the user's of this research paper.....Work will be updated throughout the year. If you would like to add any information/ideas etc., please feel free to E-Mail what you would like to see. I would like this project to be used by educators around the country. My E-Mail address is listed below.


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    Author: G. Lehmann, mailto:CaptLemo@ix.netcom.com
    Created: June 8, 1996 - Updated: July 17, 1996
    Written for the The Fermilab LInC program sponsored by the Fermilab Education Office