Lesson Plan | Active Learning | Technology and Work

Assumptions: This Active Lesson Plan assumes: a 100-minute class, prior student study with both the Book and the start of Project development, and that only one activity (among the three suggested) will be chosen to be conducted during the class, as each activity is designed to take up a significant portion of the available time.

Objectives

Duration: (5 - 10 minutes)

The objectives stage is fundamental for establishing clear learning goals that will guide the class activities. By defining what is expected from the students, it facilitates understanding why it is important to study the interactions between technology and work, and how these relationships shape the modern world. This stage also serves to align expectations and ensure that all participants are aware of the criteria for success in the class.

Main Objectives:

1. Analyze and understand the transformations in the job market resulting from technological advances.

2. Relate theory and practice when discussing how technology impacts different sectors and professions.

Side Objectives:

1. Develop critical thinking skills to assess and predict the future impacts of technology on the job market.

Introduction

Duration: (15 - 20 minutes)

The introduction aims to engage students with the class topic by using problem situations they might face in the real world, encouraging the application of prior knowledge in practical and current contexts. Additionally, the contextualization helps to create a connection between the theory studied and the real world, showing the importance of understanding technological transformations in the job market.

Problem-Based Situations

1. Imagine you are a manager of a traditional delivery company and need to decide whether to invest in technology to automate part of the delivery process, knowing that this could reduce costs but may also result in job losses for current deliverers. What factors would you consider in this decision?

2. Think of a scenario where a new artificial intelligence technology is implemented in a large supermarket chain to manage inventories and forecast demands. How could this affect the jobs of current inventory managers and what ethical challenges might arise?

Contextualization

Technological advancement not only simplifies tasks but also entirely redefines sectors and professions. For example, the introduction of self-service checkouts in supermarkets changed the work dynamic of traditional cashiers. Furthermore, automation in the automotive industry has led to a reduction in the number of assembly line workers. Discussing these real-life cases helps students perceive the relevance of the topic and understand that changes in the job market are a global and ongoing phenomenon.

Development

Duration: (75 - 85 minutes)

The development stage is designed to allow students to apply the knowledge acquired about the interaction between technology and work in a practical and interactive way. By participating in the proposed activities, students will be able to explore scenarios that simulate real market situations, debate solutions and impacts, and critically analyze how technology shapes the future of work. This approach not only reinforces learning but also develops essential skills such as critical thinking, teamwork, and argumentation.

Activity Suggestions

It is recommended to carry out only one of the suggested activities

Activity 1 - Future of Work: A Technological Debate

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Analyze and discuss the impacts of technology on the job market, developing argumentation and critical thinking skills.

- Description: Students are divided into groups of up to 5 members, and each group represents a sector of the economy (e.g., retail, healthcare, education). They will debate how the introduction of technologies such as artificial intelligence and automation would affect work in these sectors, considering both the benefits and the social and economic challenges.

- Instructions:

• Form groups of up to 5 students, ensuring each group represents a different economic sector.

• Each group will have 10 minutes to prepare their arguments, using prior study materials and online resources if necessary.

• After the preparation, each group will have 5 minutes to present their initial arguments.

• Next, there will be a 15-minute period for intergroup debate, mediated by the teacher.

• Finally, each group should present an action plan that considers the discussed impacts and possible solutions to mitigate negative effects in the represented sector.

Activity 2 - Crisis Simulation: Adaptation or Extinction

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Develop strategic management skills and understanding of the challenges of technological innovation in the business environment.

- Description: In this activity, each group of students represents a traditional company facing the need to adapt to new technologies to survive. They must analyze emerging technologies and decide how to integrate them into their company, presenting an action plan and justifying their choices.

- Instructions:

• Divide the class into groups of up to 5 students, each representing a fictitious company.

• Provide each group with a list of emerging technologies (e.g., Internet of Things, Big Data, Augmented Reality).

• Groups must discuss and decide which technologies to implement in their companies and how this could change their operations and market.

• Each group prepares a 10-minute presentation for the rest of the class, explaining their choices and the expected impact.

• At the end, each group receives feedback from peers and the teacher on their strategy.

Activity 3 - Film Forum: The Impact of Technology on Work

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Explore students' emotions and perceptions about the impact of technology on work, promoting a deeper and more personal understanding of the theme.

- Description: Students will watch clips from films that address the impact of technology on the job market, followed by group discussions about the scenes and how they reflect current reality. This activity is designed to be more reflective and emotional, helping students connect emotionally with the subject.

- Instructions:

• Prepare in advance a selection of relevant film clips (e.g., 'Modern Times' by Charlie Chaplin).

• Divide the class into discussion groups of up to 5 students.

• Show a clip and allow each group to discuss what was viewed, relating it to the concepts learned.

• Show several clips, allowing each group to discuss and note their reflections.

• Conclude with a plenary discussion to share the main conclusions from each group.

Feedback

Duration: (10 - 15 minutes)

The purpose of this stage is to consolidate learning, allowing students to reflect on the content discussed and the solutions proposed. The group discussion helps articulate the acquired knowledge and consider different points of view, which is essential for developing a critical and comprehensive understanding of the impact of technology on the job market. This feedback also serves to evaluate the effectiveness of the activities and deepen the students' understanding of the complexities and challenges of the topic.

Group Discussion

After the completion of the activities, gather all the students for a group discussion. Start the discussion by emphasizing the importance of sharing the learnings and the different perspectives that emerged from the debates and simulations. Encourage each group to briefly present the main points discussed and the solutions proposed for the challenges faced. Use this moment to promote an atmosphere of respect and curiosity, where students can learn from each other.

Key Questions

1. What were the main impacts identified by the introduction of technologies in different sectors during the activities?

2. How could the solutions proposed by the groups be applied in the real world to minimize negative effects on the job market?

3. What skills do you believe are essential for professionals intending to enter sectors heavily affected by automation and similar technologies?

Conclusion

Duration: (10 - 15 minutes)

The conclusion stage serves to consolidate the knowledge acquired during the class, ensuring that students can relate the theoretical content to the practical activities carried out. This moment is crucial to reinforce learning, clarify any remaining doubts, and link the topics covered with real and future applications. Additionally, the conclusion helps reinforce the importance of the theme in the students' daily lives, preparing them for the challenges and opportunities of a constantly evolving job market.

Summary

In this final stage, it is crucial to summarize and recap the main points addressed regarding the transformations in the job market due to technological advances. Students explored how automation and artificial intelligence affect different sectors, such as retail, healthcare, and education, through debates, simulations, and reflections from film clips. This summary helps reinforce learning and ensure that critical topics are retained.

Theory Connection

Today's class was structured to effectively connect theory and practice. Through interactive activities, students were able to apply theoretical concepts studied beforehand at home, such as automation, artificial intelligence, and their impacts on the job market, to real and hypothetical scenarios. This practical approach not only facilitated understanding but also stimulated critical thinking and argumentation skills.

Closing

Finally, it is essential to highlight the relevance of studying technological transformations in the job market for the students' daily lives. Understanding these changes allows them to prepare for a flexible and adaptable professional future, capable of dealing with the challenges and opportunities brought by technological innovations. This class not only informed but also equipped students with tools to assess and respond to these transformations more consciously and prepared.