Who is talking about “talkingshop”?
Feedback is extremely important to us so that we can improve the existing “talkingshop” system and ensure that we are meeting everyone’s needs. Below is a selection of some feedback we have received from schools, LEAs and Trading Standards Departments from all around the country that have used the “talkingshop” system.
“We used talking shop as a one off lesson as part of our Citizenship programme. It is extremely easy to operate and the pupils who undertook the lesson were very enthusiastic about it due its relevance to their day-to-day lives. I would recommend taking a look at it. We will be using it again next year as part of our programme.”
PSHE co-ordinator, school in Solihull
“Talkingshop is an interactive and trendy teaching method. It uses up to date technology to teach consumer education in a more engaging way, rather than the traditional pen, paper and teacher talk.
It means that pupils can be in control of their own learning with a team of experts always being accessible to them, thus encouraging a strong citizenship link with the outside world.”
PSHE co-ordinator, school in Gloucestershire
“We were delighted to be the first to take part “live” in this imaginative new project. We found “talkingshop” to be an engaging way for young people to learn about their rights and responsibilities, and is particularly well suited to the ‘modern consumer’. I can thoroughly recommend “talkingshop” to any schools wishing to add a further dimension to their teaching of Personal Social Health and Citizenship Education.”
Teacher, school in Gloucestershire
“This is an exciting opportunity for young people to learn about the rights and responsibilities first hand. The students found the exercise informative. The venture enabled the students to develop their interpersonal skills in a supportive and innovative way, as well as enhancing independent learning. The support from the Trading Standards team is excellent and I commend their spirit of partnership, it certainly adds a further dimension to their teaching of Personal Social Health and Citizenship Education. The students and I really appreciate having personal speakers with exciting exhibits of counterfeit good etc, but I appreciate that with limited resources “talkingshop” may well be a valuable way forward in consumer education.”
Citizenship Co-ordinator, school in Coventry
“This is an exciting opportunity for young people to learn about rights and responsibilities of the consumer at first hand. The girls found the exercise challenging, informative, fun and very real. It is an excellent cross-curricular venture, enabling the girls to develop their interpersonal skills in a supportive and innovative way, as well as enhancing independent learning.”
“Full pupil participation.”
Head of PSHCE, school in Dorset
“We are keen to give our sixth form particular information about issues outside of school and consumer rights is one of them. The “talkingshop” was a good way for them to get their information about their consumer rights. I think the interactive element is what’s appealing about it and they can look at things at their own pace.”
Headteacher, school in Nottingham
“Pupils engage more readily as it has an active element for them.”
Teacher, school in Swindon
“Young people of all ages are consumers who are the focus of much advertising. It is important that they become informed, discriminating and effective consumers who realise not only what influences how we spend our money but become competent at managing their own personal money.
Today ’s market place is complex and fast moving. It is becoming most important that young people understand their rights and responsibilities as consumers and develop the skills to make discerning choices, sort out problems effectively, live within their finances and seek further information and help as appropriate if they are to become effective consumers.
talkingshop material will support schools as they provide exciting curriculum opportunities for young people.”
Lyz Mitchell, (Former) General Inspector, PSHE, Education Department, Warwickshire CC
“Better informed consumers is a key aim for Trading Standards. Talkingshop gives authorities the opportunity to reach out to a wide audience of pupils with an efficient use of limited resources. Using modern technology that appeals to young people it provides them, the consumers of tomorrow, with vital skills and knowledge.”
Roger Marles, Head of Service, Gloucestershire Trading Standards
The following is a selection of feedback given by students from schools all around the county who have used “talkingshop”:-
“I felt more involved and because of this I will probably remember more. It was an unusual and interesting style of teaching an learning.”
“It is a lot more active and I feel more involved in interactive learning.”
“It was interactive and so we had to take part. If it was a speaker everyone would be really bored!”
“I think you learn more using “talkingshop”.”
“It adds variety to how we learn things rather than doing the same for every topic.”
“You can ask questions that you do not know the answer to privately and so you wont feel embarrassed if it is a silly question.”
“It is not just listening. You also get to take part and make decisions yourself.”
“It was more “hands on” and it meant that we had something to do and didn’t just have to sit there and listen to someone.”
“With “talkingshop” I could go at my own pace to understand things better.”
“It gives you the chance to experience incidents yourself. An outside speaker is all very well but you don’t get the chance to have a go on your own.”
“I learn more and understand more if I am involved in the activity and have to work things out for myself.”
“The “talkingshop” system lets you interact with people in real life.”