Press Release No. 05/211

Press Release: IMF Launches Lesson Plans for Secondary School Economics Teachers

September 21, 2005

The IMF Center of the International Monetary Fund, in partnership with the U.S.'s National Council on Economic Education (NCEE), has launched an instructional program for secondary school students about the effects of globalization and the importance of understanding the dynamics of the global economy. Thinking Globally: Effective Lessons for Teaching about the Interdependent World Economy is a CD-ROM with eight classroom-tested lessons on globalization, comparative advantage, economic growth, exchange rates, and other international topics.

The lessons aim to help students understand globalization and the role of the 184-nation IMF in assisting countries achieve economic stability and growth. Interactive exercises prompt students to examine their assumptions and to think analytically about the dynamics of cross-border exchanges of ideas, technology, goods, services, labor and other factors driving globalization.

The lessons, available on a single CD-ROM free of charge to educators, are aligned with the Voluntary National Content Standards in Economics, which were developed by NCEE, a nationwide network that promotes economic literacy among students and teachers.

Lesson #1 Ten Basic Questions about Globalization focuses on the history, impact and future implications of living in a globalized economic system. This exercise examines the major players in our increasingly integrated world and explores the forces of competition, markets, cooperation and voluntary exchange.

Lesson #2 What is the IMF and What Does it Do? introduces the IMF and its role in fostering global economic stability through monetary and financial cooperation. This lesson takes students for an inside look at case-studies of economic programs supported by the IMF, illustrating the trade-offs countries face as they pursue sustainable economic growth.

Lessons #3-8, on trade, international organizations, currencies and foreign exchange, are previously-released lesson plans produced by NCEE. Lessons are in PDF format for easy downloading and educators may request CD-ROMs at imfcenter@imf.org or via the order form at http://www.imf.org/external/pubind.htm.

Workshops for U.S. secondary school teachers of economics, social studies, and business education will be offered through NCEE and its affiliated State Councils on Economic Education and University Centers for Economic Education, from January to June 2006. For workshop information please visit http://www.ncee.net/.

The IMF Center promotes public understanding of economics and the International Monetary Fund www.imf.org. It offers innovative educational tools for teachers and students at www.imf.org/center. The Center invites young students to visit "What in the World is Money" http://www.imf.org/external/np/exr/center/students/money/index.htm and older students to participate in a virtual mission to an IMF member country in "The IMF in Action" http://www.imf.org/external/np/exr/center/action/eng/index.htm.