Lesson Plan

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Lesson Plan
Grade: Date: 17/01/2026
Subject: Business
Lesson Topic: the benefits and limitations of capital intensive operations
Learning Objective/s:
  • Describe the key characteristics of capital‑intensive operations.
  • Explain at least three benefits and three limitations of capital‑intensive operations.
  • Compare capital‑intensive and labour‑intensive operations using productivity, cost and flexibility criteria.
  • Evaluate managerial considerations when deciding whether to adopt a capital‑intensive approach.
Materials Needed:
  • Projector and laptop for slides
  • Whiteboard and markers
  • Printed comparison worksheet (capital vs labour intensive)
  • Case‑study handout of a capital‑intensive firm
  • Calculator for cost‑benefit calculations
  • Exit‑ticket slips
 Introduction:
Imagine a factory where robots assemble cars 24 hours a day without breaks. Building on students’ prior knowledge of production inputs, we will explore how heavy investment in machinery changes the way firms operate. Success will be measured by students’ ability to list benefits, identify limitations, and compare these operations with labour‑intensive ones.
Lesson Structure:
  1. Do‑now (5 min): Quick quiz on production factors to activate prior knowledge.
  2. Mini‑lecture (10 min): Define capital‑intensive operations and present key benefits using slides.
  3. Guided comparison (12 min): In pairs, complete the worksheet comparing capital‑ and labour‑intensive operations.
  4. Case‑study analysis (10 min): Groups evaluate a real company’s capital investment and discuss managerial considerations.
  5. Whole‑class debrief (8 min): Share findings, highlight limitations, and address misconceptions.
  6. Exit ticket (5 min): Write one benefit and one limitation of capital‑intensive operations.
Conclusion:
We recap that capital‑intensive operations boost productivity and consistency but carry high fixed costs and flexibility risks. Students hand in their exit tickets, and for homework they will research a local business to classify it as capital‑ or labour‑intensive and justify their choice.