Assuming they are, like the majority of their kind, besotted with
football, why not give them the published accounts of a selection of plc
football clubs? Then give them some real questions to pursue such as
'why does Glazer want to take over MUFC?' or 'how much can club X afford
to spend on new signings for next season?'. I am sure those of our
readers who understand football can supply some better questions. This
is hard, but in finding it hard they may come to realise the need to
study things first. They may need and then want your help, which puts
the relationship on a more equal footing. Perhaps they can do a
(reasonably professional) presentation of their findings in due course,
possibly using ICT if that is their thing. An audience of 6th Formers,
or of staff (eg SMT who they have rarely received any praise from), or
of local AOTs might provide the motivation to do it all properly, and
avoid the silliness that often comes from peer-to-peer presentations
where self-consciousness gets in the way.
I have used this approach with low achieving A-level students. 6th
Fomers rarely provide quite the discipline problems that GCSE students
can (you have my sympathy!) but that doesn't mean they aren't capable of
learning equally little due to poor motivation coupled with poor study
skills ie not knowing very well how to do the jobs we give them. I had
an inseperable group of 3 students a few years ago who were afflicted
with a deep passion for Leyton Orient. They did me a markekting project
which ended up, once they worked out the depth and significance of some
of the issues, as one of the more sophisticated (and lengthy!) analyses
I have had out of any A-level students. For example, there was a
section discussing the importance of PR and community relations, how the
USP was a sense of belonging for people (often adolescent males), and
how a careful combination of factors led to deep and prolonged brand
loyalty which in turn lowered price elasticity of demand so prices could
be raised, although high income elasticity of demand was a limiting
factor. It was really that good!
I hope this helps.
Richard Bowett
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