Minds On

Creating solutions

Five people gathered around a table with papers in front of them, brainstorming ideas.

Brainstorm

Social responsibility

Social responsibility is when a person or a company determines that they have an obligation to design, produce or create an item, product or service that benefits society in some way. This can include being environmentally conscious or socially conscious.

An example of this is the American company, Patagonia, Inc., which sells outdoor clothing. Patagonia is well known for their activism which is primarily focused on environmental causes.

Brainstorm a list of different social and environmental issues that companies and/or people could focus their attention on. You can record your ideas using a method of your choice.

Socially responsible companies

A woman in a store pouring food into sustainable packaging.

Looking for social responsibility

In the Minds On section, we explored the definition of social responsibility.

Click on ‘Definition’ to review the definition of social responsibility.

Social responsibility is when a person or a company determines that they have an obligation to design, produce or create an item, product or service that benefits society in some way. This can include being environmentally conscious or socially conscious.

We also created a list of different social and environmental issues that companies and/or people could become activists for.

Use the Internet to research companies that have socially responsible practices.

Record a few (3-4) of these companies and explore why they are considered socially responsible. Try to find different ways in which they are socially responsible and how they are delivering this message to the world.

For example: Patagonia, an outdoor clothing company is involved in environmental activism. They have messaging on their website, they produce newsletters and articles, and have produced a documentary about protecting public lands (for which you can access the trailer on their website).

You can record your ideas in an audio recording, use speech to text software, on paper, on a computer, using an organizational tool of your choice, or by completing the Social Responsibility Organizer in your notebook or using the following fillable and printable document.

Social Responsibility Organizer
Company/ Corporation Their product or service Why they are considered socially responsible How they are sharing their message
Patagonia Clothing They fight against climate change and for environmental action Website, newsletters, documentary

Press the ‘Activity’ button to access the Social Responsibility Organizer. 

Activity(Open PDF in a new window)

Social responsibility in action

The video below features two students, Saad Baig and Megan Scarlett, from Toronto who won an entrepreneurship award. They designed a product to help Canadians reduce their energy footprint.

After reviewing the video clip below, record the main message of this video clip, what these students created, and why their creation is socially responsible. Record your ideas in the graphic organizer below or using another method of your choice.

Planning and design

Student Success

Think-Pair-Share

Now that you have learned about Saad and Megan’s innovative roof shingles, use the information that you have gathered to create an effective media text that will help to market their socially responsible product.

Start by brainstorming ideas with the following three considerations in mind:

  • What is the purpose of your media text?
  • Who is your audience and how will you connect to them?
  • What techniques and conventions will you use to create this effective media text? What is the format of the media text?

If possible, share your ideas with a partner. You can use your partner’s feedback to revise your ideas and prepare to create your media text in the Consolidation section.

Note to teachers: See your teacher guide for collaboration tools, ideas and suggestions.

Creating your media text

Create your media text using the plan that you created in the Action section.

Consider, what format will your media text take? Will you choose one of these or is your idea different?

  • Print advertisement
  • Short audio or video clip
  • Billboard advertisement
  • News bulletin/flyer
  • Announcement or short oral presentation

Reflection

As you read the following descriptions, select the one that best describes your current understanding of the learning in this activity. Press the corresponding button once you have made your choice.

I feel...

Now, expand on your ideas by recording your thoughts using a voice recorder, speech-to-text, or writing tool.

When you review your notes on this learning activity later, reflect on whether you would select a different description based on your further review of the material in this learning activity.