NO-LIVE Meetings - Flex Course
In this 5 week Consumer Skills Semester Flex course, students will examine their role as a consumer, their decisions as a consumer, learn how to comparison shop, and define scams and frauds.

Lesson 1 - Your Money & Social Media
Examine their role as a consumer and their consumer decisions 
Explain how social media and influencers can impact a consumer’s spending decisions 
Identify steps a consumer can take to decrease the influence of social media on their spending decisions  

Lesson 2 -   Dark Patterns 
Identify ways advertisements can influence their consumer decisions
Explain what dark patterns are and identify common types 
Understand why companies may use dark patterns

Lesson 3 - Comparison Shopping
Understand what comparison shopping is, how it can help consumers, and when it makes sense to comparison shop
Identify a variety of factors to consider when comparison shopping 
Discuss different factors to consider when comparison shopping beyond things like price and quality, such as environmental impact
Make an informed consumer decision by using comparison shopping methods 

Lesson 4 - Identity Theft
Identify different types of identity theft, how they can occur, and the impact they can have on someone’s life
Take measures to protect their personal information
Understand current trends about identity theft
Outline what steps to take if they are a victim of identity theft

Lesson 5 - Scams & Fraud
Define scams and fraud 
Identify red flags to look for in different types of scams and fraud
Recommend what steps someone should take if they are scammed 

This Flex course- No Live Meetings.  Each week at 9:00 AM Central Standard Time, weekly lesson, materials and activities will be post to the Outschool classroom. Students have the flexibility of completing the lessons own their time schedule.  

National Standards for Personal Finance Education:
Spending
2a: Select a product or service and describe the various factors that may influence a consumer’s purchase decision
2c: List the positive and negative effects of a recent consumer decision on the environment, society, and the economy
5c: Analyze social media marketing and advertising techniques designed to encourage spending
9a: Explain how having a system for financial record-keeping can make it easier to make financial decisions

 Saving
8b: Discuss how personal financial decisions can affect other people
9a: Explain how external influences (e.g. peers, family, or social media) can impact personal savings decisions
9b: Identify strategies to manage psychological and emotional obstacles to saving
9c: Discuss strategies for avoiding personal triggers that result in deviating from a savings plan