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Market Structure: Oligopolies - Lesson Plan: 1-2 x 1 hour lessons

A series of 'off the shelf' lesson plans and resources for use in the classroom. These lessons deal with Market Structure: Oligopolies and are relevant to the following specifications:

• AQA: AS Module 1 - 10.3, A2 Module 5 - 14.3
• Edexcel: AS Unit 2, A2 Unit 4
• OCR: AS Unit 2881 - 5.2.2, A2 Module 2884 - 5.4.2

Aim:

This could be used over one or two lessons depending on the way in which the lesson is structured. If used as a primarily homework based activity then it can be done within one lesson, if the research is done within the lesson then it can take two or possibly three lessons.

The aim is to get students looking at examples of oligopolistic markets and making an assessment of how far the behaviour of the markets in the Activity match the theory of oligopolistic behaviour as outlined in most of the major textbooks. The range of suggested markets is wide and should allow most students to find something that they are interested in! The point to stress early on is that finding the information is not always that straight forward - a number of suggested sites are given but students will need to be advised that they are being asked to get an overall picture of the market rather than trying to match every characteristic of oligopolies with some fact. They will need to be advised that their research should allow them to get a general picture of the behaviour of firms in the industry.

Learning Objectives:

At the end of the lessons, students should:

• Understand the key characteristics of oligopolistic market structures
• Understand the make up of one industry and be able to comment on the extent to which it represents characteristics of an oligopolistic market structure
• Be able to carry out effective research skills using a range of resources

Resources:

• PowerPoint Presentation - Market Structures [96 KB]
• Mind Map - Market Structures
• Activity - Market Structure: Oligopolies
• PCs for research
• Textbook/notes

Useful Links:

• Worksheet on market structures
• Question bank on market structure
• Mind Your Business feature on the supermarket industry

Lesson Structure:

1. Introduce the topic through the use of the PowerPoint presentation and Mind Map. (15 minutes)
2. Issue the Activity - explain the aim and purpose of the lesson and highlight the learning objectives. Ensure students are aware of the limitations of the research that they may be able to do. (10 Minutes)
3. Begin research task. (35 Minutes)

Lesson 2 can be used to continue the research and to write up the report if it is decided not to use the Activity as a piece of homework.