In the activity ANALYZE: Categorizing Credit, students analyze different types of credit (auto loans, credit cards, and more) and categorize the credit in three ways (installment vs revolving, secured vs unsecured, and variable vs fixed rate). There are many creative ways this activity can be incorporated in the classroom. We’ve listed some ideas that may work well for a synchronous virtual learning environment with or without breakout rooms.

Ideas for a synchronous learning environment with breakout rooms:

• Before assigning the activity, break the students into SIX groups and assign them one of the following debt categories: installment loans, revolving debt, secured debt, unsecured debt, variable interest rate, and fixed interest rate.  Instruct the students to work together to create one slide in a collaborative presentation explaining their debt characteristics and provide one example of this type of debt. Have the students present their information to the rest of the class.
• If your conference platform allows, break students into different groups to complete the chart in Part I of the activity. 
• Bring the students back together as a whole group to discuss the answers to part one and the reflection questions. 

Ideas for a synchronous learning environment without breakout rooms:

• Discuss the difference between the different debt categories listed in the activity. 
• Work through the chart in Part I of the activity by utilizing the conference chat, polling software, or simply asking students to show a thumbs up or down to their computer screen.
• For example: An auto loan - “thumbs up if you think it is an example of installment debt, thumbs down if you think it is an example of revolving debt, or thumb in the middle if you think it could be either.” Survey the group, cold-call on a student to further explain their thought process, and then discuss the correct answer. 

Asynchronous Learning Environment or No Tech?

Using the activity as written will work well for either of these options. 

View NGPF’s Virtual Adaptation Series if you’re looking for additional resources with suggestions on how to facilitate in a virtual environment. 

About the Author

Amanda Volz

Amanda joins the NGPF Team with over 20 years of experience teaching personal finance. During that time, she led her students to hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarships, won multiple awards, and most importantly, impacted the financial lives of thousands of high school students. Amanda prides herself on being an educational leader and is constantly looking for innovative ways to make the classroom relevant, rigorous, and fun. She is a passionate advocate for financial education and has been a long-time member of the NGPF community. Fun fact - Amanda was NGPF’s first teacher account! When Amanda isn’t working, she enjoys cooking, gardening, and traveling with her husband and two children.