Trends, Networks, and Critical Thinking

in the 21st Century

WEEK 3

Elements that make up a Trend

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Learning Concept

Fundamental Elements of Trends

Basic Needs
We are all human. Trends – are ultimately rooted in our basic, fundamental, rarely-
if-ever-changing human needs, wants and desires. Some examples include creativity,
self-improvement, safety, status. Identifying these basic needs and desires isn’t rocket
science or even deep social science! They are the forces that have been shaping personal
and social relations for centuries if not millennia. Think about the emotions and passions
that drive characters in the great works of literature. Or just listen to popular music or
watch any movie. The same themes crop up again and again, precisely because they are
so universally relevant and timeless. Identifying underlying human needs is central to
spotting and/or understanding consumer trends.

Drivers of Change
There are no trends without change. Savvy and switched-on business
professionals constantly ask, ‘what’s changing?’ and look at how it might be possible to
better serve people’s basic human needs and wants in novel, exciting – better – ways.
To analyze change, think in terms of Shifts and Triggers. Shifts are the long-term, macro
changes (such as urban transition, aging populations, and climate change) that play out
across years or even decades. While not consumer trends themselves, these shifts do
and will continue to shape both the nature and direction of consumer trends. Triggers are
more immediate changes that drive the emergence of a trend. These can include specific
technologies, political events, economic shocks, environmental incidents, and more.

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Innovations
Innovations are not trends but without examples of customer-facing innovations
tapping into it, a trend can’t be said to exist fully (it’s either a futurist’s flight of fancy or an
as-yet-unvalidated opportunity). You can’t describe the rise of the ‘on-demand economy’
without the existence and rapid growth of services like Uber or Grab. You can’t have a
zoo without animals! So, the third element of every trend is innovations: the startups, new
products, services, experiences, and campaigns that are resolving points of customer
tension and creating new levels of customer expectation.
The secret ingredient of trends does not really rely on any of the above elements.
Rather, it’s the tension created as the three elements interact with one another. This
tension can best be identified by understanding customer expectations and by looking for
gaps between what customers want – both now and in the future – and what they are
currently being offered. Understanding this enables you to hit the sweet spot of trend-
driven innovation with your new offering – when you beat customers’ expectations and
resolve this tension.

What’s New
Learning Activity: How future trend might look?
Let us say you have the power to foresee the future, 20 years from now, draw
anything you think will or may become a trend. Answer the guide questions below your
drawing, Use separate sheet.

Guide questions:
1. Say something about your drawing (purpose, specifications, features,
etc.).
2. Why do you think this will become a trend in the future?
3. What might be the possible reasons it will fall as fad?

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Characteristics of a Trend

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Learning Concept

There are several characteristics of trends being discussed or as identified by

some authors. Some focuses on businesses, marketing, fashion, arts and even up to
popular music. For the sake of discussion, we will limit our characteristics to four: duration
of time, acceptability, cultural basis and transitory increase of decrease.

1. Duration of Time
 A basic characteristic of a trend is staying power. Its longer lifespan makes it
different from fad. Its popularity has been tested through times. Products or
ideas considered as trend may stay for many years even decade or more.
 Example to this is the soft drinks brand Coke which is older than the age of
today’s school children.

2. Acceptability
 A trend stays longer because they receive popular support from customers or
consumers especially companies who believes that creating more it will give
them more profit.
 Coke has long been in the Philippine market because people continue buying
it.

3. Cultural Basis
 Trend persists and continues because people have seen it as part of their
society or lives. When you know a certain product or idea is suited or helpful to
you, you continue using and believing in it.
 Like the coke, it remains to be in the market because it already has been rooted
to our belief that a heavy meal during a birthday party and other occasions
won’t be complete without a mouthful burst of coke.

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 4. Transitory increase or decrease
 Trend also has the potential to
eventually slow down or decline but
will never fade away or less it shall fall
as fad.
 In today’s time, Coca-Cola sales have
gone down especially during the
passage of a new tax reform which
adds more tax to products with more Source: https://www.boredpanda.com/21-logo-
evolutions
sugar contents. But nonetheless,
coke remains on most families’ table.

What’s New
Learning Activity: What a Trend!
Situation
Imagine the world’s leading manufacturer of automobiles releases a new car model
already available in the market. A dual-powered engine car capable of operating with
gasoline and solar. It also has a built-in refrigerator, a disco-like lights and sounds, and
tires are fully rubberized with no need of air. (Use separate sheet)

Questions:
1. Duration of time: What do you think are the reasons that will hinder its sale in
the market?
______________________________________________________________
_________________________________________
2. Acceptability: Will people replace their old car? Why or why not?
______________________________________________________________
_________________________________________

3. Cultural basis: will your purchase of the new car affect other industries? Why
or why not. Explain your answer.
______________________________________________________________
_________________________________________

4. Transitory increase or decrease: If you are the car dealer, what advertisement
will you use to boost the car sales?
______________________________________________________________
_________________________________________

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Identifying Parts of a Whole

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Learning Concept

Why are parts important? Think about all the things that are around you right now
– the chair, the table, and the car outside. All of those things are made up of parts,
sometimes a few (like the pencil beside me on the desk) and sometimes many, many
parts (like the bus where riding on). All of it is made up of smaller parts that fit together to
make the whole. Interesting, right? But not only manmade and natural objects are made
up of parts. Abstract in a research paper also have parts, too. Stories, movies, societies,
religions all have component parts.
What’s
important about
knowing the parts?
Well, if the parts
were put together
in a different way,
something
different would
result. Change one
item in a recipe
and you change Source: https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-name-of-the-black-thing-inside-the-pencil
the taste of the meal, right?
Within objects and ideas there exists a special relationship between the parts and
the whole that makes the whole object what it is, that permits it to function the way it does.
Consequently, to understand something, you really need to understand its parts and
their relationships to the whole.
Imagine a thousand without a peso? A knife without a handle? A car without tires
or wheels? A house with no doors and a life without love? Hmmmm… Sounds difficult
right? Parts maybe worth nothing but when put together, it becomes of more use and
value. Just like in life, if you focus simply on beautifying your face without developing your
heart, mind and soul, your essence and true value won’t be as high as others who have
developed all parts and well-being of him as a person.

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 What’s New
Learning Activity: I can be of help too.

Situation
A new-designed school bag is released in the market. Following the elements and
characteristics that make up a trend, list ten (10) jobs which can help promote and make
the bag trending on people’s eyes.
1. _______________
2. _______________
3. _______________
4. _______________
5. _______________
6. _______________
7. _______________
8. _______________
9. _______________
10. _______________

What’s More
Learning Activity: Complete Me!

Fill in the blank to complete the thought or sentence. Use separate sheet.
1. A hundred (100) is worth nothing without a _________.
2. A car won’t run without _________.
3. A bird can fly to almost everywhere with the use of its _________.
4. Your _________ completes my day.
5. A school can never be a school without ___________.
6. If not because of __________, we can never have an ice cream.
7. Christmas will never be the same without __________.
8. Because of ________ we have a department store.
9. A cellphone is used to communicate with people provided it has a _________.
10. Our sun completes the _______ system.

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Emerging Pattern

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Learning Concept

A pattern is a series of data that repeats in a recognizable way. It can be identified

in the history of the asset being evaluated or other assets with similar characteristics.
Patterns often include the study of sale volume, as well as price. Patterns can occur within
a downward or upward trend, or they can mark the beginning of a new trend.
In Math, we all know that 10 comes after the series 2, 4, 6, and 8. An egg when
properly incubated will soon hatch. But how about in trends? Can you tell of any emerging
patterns? Let us look at an ice cream. We know people who can afford can buy it at
anytime of the day. But do you have any idea what specific months in the country their
sales are doubled if not tripled? When COVID 19 (Corona Virus 2019), a pandemic who
have affected not only the Philippines but also other countries worldwide. What goes
trend after? On the internet, all news and health views were all talking about it. Later, all
things associated for human protection against the virus suddenly become a trendy thing.
Demands were relatively high which resulted to price hike.
In cellular phones, NOKIA was a trending brand before in the Philippines.
Suddenly, a new system called android comes into system. People begun to like and love
it. NOKIA did not embrace or adopted the new system and remained with what they
already have. They ought to believe that they already have established their name in the
market. Later, NOKIA went bankrupt and other cellular phone brands using android
became a money maker in the market. What do you know after android will become a
trend item or idea in the future?

In televisions (TV), if we are to compare TVs’ of our grandparent before than TVs
in our generation today, do you see a difference? Certainly, there is. How about in cars,
was there a change in models? Of course, yes! But what do you think was the reason
why manufacturers from time to time keeps on changing their products? They have to do
upgrading in order to satisfy the needs and wants of their customers or clients. In one
way or another we call tell that an emerging pattern in trend will most likely be
associated to what human thinks they need.

So now, do your already see what emerging patterns would become trendy during
Christmas? How about during summer?

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 What’s New
Learning Activity: Now I know what’s next!

Complete the table using the given example. Use separate sheet.
What usually do you expect will go trending? (give at least 3 each)

Possible Emerging Trend Pattern (Products, goods, services, etc.)

Ex. All Soul’s Day 1. Candles
2. Flowers
3. Halloween Costumes
A. Rainy Season 1.
2.
3.
B. Christmas Season 1.
2.
3.
C. Summer 1.
2.
3.

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 Trends, Networks, and Critical Thinking
in the 21st Century
WEEK 4

Identifying Causes and Consequences

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Learning Concept

Cause and consequences have been root of all conversations common to all
families and groups. At times we are shaken by problems, we use to ask ourselves about
the cause of it. Sometimes blaming others would be most of the recourse though that
should not be case for we are all responsible of our own act. Then later we find ourselves
deciding over our existing problem without thinking of the possible consequences that we
will suffer or encounter later. To understand causes and consequences, let us study the
situations below.

CAUSE
Mary who always escaped classes never
She missed many of her class, pretty
made it to graduation day. What do you
sure she got failed.
think was the cause?
John had feelings for her friend Gina. He
had this for so long but never expressed
it to Gina. They remained friends till old. John never told Gina of his feelings.
They have chance to be sweethearts, but
it didn’t happen. Why?
Josefa is very fond of candies and Because she was so fond of candies
sweets. She lost all her teeth several and sweets. She probably had suffered
months later. Why did she lose her teeth? tooth decay.
CONSEQUENCE
Mario knows there will be long test
tomorrow, he never bothered studying his He surely won’t get a high score.

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notes. What is the possible
consequence?

Henry bakes the best cake in town, one

day he decided to add more sugar to his Probably decrease in sales for it will
best seller cake. What do you think will change the old delicious taste.
happen to his future sales?
Because it was untidy, Jane decided to
cover the drainage beside their house
Flooding will soon be there utmost
though she knows a heavy rain is
concern.
forecasted to come. What is the possible
consequence?

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 What’s New
Learning Activity: You made the cause, embrace the consequences.

Think of the possible cause and consequence of the following: Use separate sheet.
Possible cause of Possible consequences
Trend
production/invention not related to cause
Ex. Solar-powered car High Price of Petrol Sales of gasoline operated
car might decrease

1. Inverter Air conditioning

2. Artificial Rice

3. Labourer Robot

What I have learned

 Fad has lower staying power, a temporary event usually called as a “flash in a
pan”. It appears in a single industry and rarely crosses over into others. It also
enjoys few months of unexpected popularity and disappears just as quickly as it
appears.

 Trend enjoys a long period of popularity. Trends are ideas that are rooted on the
people’s cultural tradition, beliefs and values. It also has a long-term influence on
the future of the market.

 Stages All Trends Undergoes

o Fringe Stage
o Trendy
o Mainstream

 Fundamental Elements of Trends

o Basic Need
o Drivers of Change
o Innovations

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  Characteristics of Trends
o duration of time
o acceptability
o cultural basis
o transitory increase of decrease.

 We need to understand the parts and their relationships to the whole.

 A pattern is a series of data that repeats in a recognizable way

 In one way or another we call tell that an emerging pattern in trend will most likely
be associated to what human thinks they need.

1. Assessment

MULTIPLE CHOICE:
Directions: Answer what is asked. Write your answer on a separate sheet of paper.

For nos. 1-4, identify the following if it is a trend or a fad.

a. Trend b. fad
1. It has a long-term influence on the future of the market.
2. It has lower staying power.
3. It is a temporary event usually called as a “flash in a pan”.
4. It rises slowly over time.

5. Which of the following statement is TRUE?

a) A trend is basically a pattern or conceptualized idea that has the pattern of
providing or having a containing influence.
b) The words “fad” and “trends” are the same.
c) A trend is generally considered a quick and short behaviour.
d) A fad is one that evolves into a long term or even permanent change.
6. Which of the following statement is FALSE?
a. The words “fad” and “trends” are the same.
b. A fad is generally considered a quick and short behavior.
c. A trend is one that evolves into a long term or even permanent change.
d. A trend is basically a pattern or conceptualized idea that has the pattern of
providing or having a containing influence.
7. The only constant in our world is _____.

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 a. Product c. power
b. Change d. money.
8. The following are examples of TREND except one.
a. Samsung Cellphone c. Ballpen
b. Jeans d. Lady Gaga Haircut Style
9. Which of the following you think is not a characteristic of a trend?
a. Duration of time c. cultural basis
b. Acceptability d. timely
10. A ____ is series of data that repeats in a recognizable way.
a. Pattern c. image
b. Symbols d. signs

For nos 11-15, identify if the following statement if TRUE or FALSE.

A. TRUE B. FALSE
11. Vivo Y12 cellphone model is an example of a fad.
12. Android cellphone is an example of a trend.
13. Trend enjoys a long period of popularity.
14. Fads are ideas that are rooted on the people’s cultural tradition, belief and values.
15. Trend is determined by an emotional need.

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