Lesson Plan

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Lesson Plan
Grade: Date: 18/01/2026
Subject: Information Technology IT
Lesson Topic: Identify applications of expert systems
Learning Objective/s:
  • Describe the core components of an expert system (knowledge base, inference engine, user interface, explanation facility).
  • Identify at least five real‑world domains where expert systems are applied.
  • Evaluate the benefits and limitations of using expert systems in a given scenario.
  • Apply a checklist to determine whether a problem is suitable for an expert‑system solution.
Materials Needed:
  • Projector or interactive whiteboard
  • Slide deck summarising components and applications
  • Handout with application table and checklist
  • Sample expert‑system case study (e.g., MYCIN summary)
  • Sticky notes or cards for group activity
  • Markers and flip chart
 Introduction:
Begin with a short video clip showing a medical diagnostic tool suggesting treatment, prompting students to consider how computers can mimic expert advice. Review previous lessons on knowledge representation and rule‑based reasoning. Explain that today they will learn to recognise situations where an expert system adds value and will be able to justify its use.
Lesson Structure:
  1. Do‑now (5'): Students list professions that rely on expert knowledge and share examples.
  2. Mini‑lecture (10'): Present the four components of expert systems with a diagram.
  3. Guided analysis (12'): Examine the application table; in pairs, choose two domains and discuss key benefits.
  4. Checklist activity (10'): Groups use the provided checklist to evaluate a new scenario (e.g., crop disease diagnosis) and decide if an expert system is appropriate.
  5. Whole‑class debrief (8'): Groups present conclusions; teacher highlights common criteria and misconceptions.
  6. Exit ticket (5'): Write one domain where an expert system would NOT be suitable and explain why.
Conclusion:
Summarise the four core components and the checklist criteria for identifying suitable applications. Collect exit tickets to inform the next lesson on building simple rule bases. For homework, students research a real‑world system not covered today and prepare a brief description of its domain, benefits, and any limitations.