In production, productive resources are combined to create goods and services. This can be a simple process, like a classroom bookmark business, or it can be very complex, such as the production of an automobile. Economists refer to finished goods and services as output. The productive resources (natural, human, capital) are the inputs. Productivity measures the amount of output produced relative to inputs used. It is expressed as a ratio – output/input. Increasing productivity is perhaps the critical factor in determining a country’s future standard of living.
Because labor (human resources) relates directly to wages and living standards, the term productivity usually refers to labor productivity. It is typically measured as output per hour or per worker.
Economists have identified several ways to increase productivity:
Do the lesson on Productivity in the very practical Pint-Size Economics curriculum.
Teach your students about productivity using Lessons 8, 9, and 10 in the popular modeling clay Economicscurriculum. Students make hamburgers using modeling clay! .
In many cultures, animals are still considered important capital resources. Research and discuss different animals that help people increase productivity. (oxen, mules, camels, etc.)
Create a resume listing the skills and education that form one’s human capital.
Draw pictures of machines and tools that help increase productivity in the home.
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of increasing productivity by dividing the labor on an assembly line.
List ways that people save. Discuss why saving is necessary in order to invest in capital equipment. Discuss the discipline necessary to forgo current consumption in favor of saving.
Draw a timeline showing key inventions in United States history. Discuss or write a short paragraph showing how each invention helped increase productivity.
Cut out ads from the Help Wanted section of the newspaper. Investigate if jobs requiring more education and training tend to have a higher wage/salary. (They do!)
Write a paragraph or essay entitled, "Why a Good Education is Important." Require students to include the concept of productivity in their paragraph.
LITERATURE
CONNECTION
You can use the literature books below to help teach Productivity. Click on the book cover or the title below to obtain information on the book as well as guided questions you can use with your students. Some books are no longer available from the publishers, but we still include title information and Lessons as you might have them in your school or public library or possibly in your classrooms.
