Lesson Topic:

Business Law: Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)

Lesson Description:

Students will understand various forms of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR).

Learning Goals/Outcomes:

Through the activities in this lesson, students will understand the advantages and disadvantages of negotiation, arbitration, mediation, and litigation.

Nebraska Standards:

BMM.HS.4.25d - Explain the advantages and disadvantages of negotiation, arbitration, mediation, and litigation.

Teacher Planning:

Equipment/Materials/Software Needed:

Computers

Microsoft PowerPoint or Google Slides

Time Required for Lesson:

One 47-minute class period

Diagram/Setup:

N/A

Technology Use:

Software:

Microsoft PowerPoint or Google Slides

Hardware:

Computer

Projector to show template (optional)

Instructional Plan:

Anticipatory Set/Pre-Activity:

Put the forms of ADR on the board: negotiation, arbitration, mediation, and litigation. As students enter the room, they should look up the four words online and write the definition of each in their own words.

Benefits/Explanation/Real-World Connection:

Students will understand different options used to resolve disputes.

Activities (i.e. instructions, warm-up, lesson, cool-down):

After introducing negotiation, arbitration, mediation, and litigation using the textbook or online resources of your choice, have the students create a slideshow that shows the advantages and disadvantages of each of the four. Students should define each form of ADR and then fill in the advantages and disadvantages in the correct side of the slide. You can have the students use the slides presentation linked below as a template, or you could have them create their own. 

ADR Advantages & Disadvantages

When finished with the advantages and disadvantages slides, split the class into four groups and assign each group a form of ADR. Each group will create a short skit to demonstrate the assigned form of ADR. Within the skit, the students should show what would happen if that form of ADR were to be used. 

For example, the group that has arbitration would act out a conflict situation. One student will be the arbitrator, part of the group will be on one side of the conflict and the rest of the group will be on the other side of the conflict. After hearing the arguments of each side of the conflict, the arbitrator would give a ruling. The group would need to show that this ruling is final and must be followed.

These skits will each be presented to the rest of the class to demonstrate the various forms of ADR.

Closure:

After creating the notes on the advantages and disadvantages of the forms of ADR and watching the skits, students should look at their definitions of the forms of ADR from the beginning of class that were to be written in their own words. The students should revise their definitions as needed and turn them in, still in their own words, as their "ticket out."

Assessment :

Points can be given for the group skit based on how well the group presented their form of ADR as well as for the advantage/disadvantage slides.

Supplemental Information:

Modifications:

If computers are not available, the advantages and disadvantages slides could be done by making t-charts to write the information.

Safety Precautions:

N/A

Comments (adaptations for various grades/ages, teaching styles, etc.)

N/A

Resources:

“Business Law: Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)” by Brittany McPhillips of Central City Public Schools | CC BY NC SA