Lesson Plan | Active Learning | Changes in the World of 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 stage of defining objectives is crucial to establish the direction of the lesson and ensure that all participants are aligned on what will be explored and learned. By clearly specifying the objectives, students can better direct their critical thinking and questions, and the teacher can adjust activities according to predefined learning goals. This approach helps to maximize classroom time and the effectiveness of teaching and learning.

Main Objectives:

1. Explore the different forms of work that exist and their transformations over time, focusing on the changes brought about by technological advancement.

2. Analyze how technological tools impact the job market, identifying new professions and changes in labor relations.

Side Objectives:

1. Develop analytical skills in students so that they can understand and anticipate future evolutions in the job market.

Introduction

Duration: (15 - 20 minutes)

The introduction stage serves to engage students with the content they have already studied at home, using problem situations that stimulate critical thinking and practical application of knowledge. Furthermore, by contextualizing the topic with real and historical examples, it seeks to connect theoretical learning with lived reality, increasing interest and relevance of the subject for students.

Problem-Based Situations

1. Imagine you are a farmer in a small rural community. Suddenly, a technology company offers an automated solution for harvesting, which can significantly increase your production. How do you decide between maintaining traditional methods or adopting the new technology, considering the economic and social impacts?

2. Think about a supermarket cashier whose job is threatened by the introduction of self-checkout lanes. What professional reskilling alternatives could they seek, and what challenges would there be?

Contextualization

To understand the changes in the world of work, it is crucial to look at real and historical examples. For instance, the emergence of Uber and other digital platforms that connect services directly to consumers has changed the dynamics of the transport sector and created new forms of work, such as 'Uberization'. Additionally, considering historical impacts like the Industrial Revolution, which completely transformed how people worked, helps to see that changes in work are a constant in human history.

Development

Duration: (65 - 75 minutes)

The Development stage is designed to allow students to practically and creatively apply the concepts studied about the changes in the world of work, particularly the influences of technology. Through group activities, students will simulate scenarios, discuss strategies, and make decisions, reinforcing theoretical learning while also developing collaboration, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. Each proposed activity aims to explore different aspects of transformations in the job market, ensuring a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of the theme.

Activity Suggestions

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

Activity 1 - The Future of Work: A Technological Simulation

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Develop decision-making skills and understanding of the impacts of technology on the job market.

- Description: In this activity, students will be divided into groups of up to five people to simulate a futuristic professional situation where all tasks are automated. Each group will represent a team from a fictional company that needs to decide how to implement a new task automation technology and the impacts of this on the local job market.

- Instructions:

• Form groups of up to five people.

• Choose a sector of activity for the fictional company (e.g. agriculture, manufacturing, services).

• Develop a technology implementation plan that includes employee training, investment in new skills, and social impacts on the community.

• Prepare a presentation explaining how the technology works, the expected benefits for the company, and measures to mitigate negative impacts on employment.

Activity 2 - Work 4.0: Building the New Professional

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Promote awareness of the demands of the current and future job market and encourage career self-management.

- Description: Grouped students will be challenged to create a 'future professional profile', considering the demands of the modern job market. The activity includes researching new professions, necessary skills, and ways to adapt to technological changes.

- Instructions:

• Divide into groups of up to five students.

• Research emerging new professions and the technologies associated with them.

• Develop a 'future professional profile' that includes essential technical and behavioral skills.

• Create a study and personal development plan to prepare for these professions.

Activity 3 - Market Dynamics: The Professions Card Game

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Encourage strategic thinking about careers and the job market, as well as promote discussion on the importance of continuous innovation and adaptation.

- Description: Through a card game, students will explore different professions, their characteristics, and demands in the market. The goal is to form strategic combinations of cards that represent a competitive skills portfolio in the current and future market.

- Instructions:

• Organize into groups of up to five students.

• Receive a set of cards representing different professions, skills, and technologies.

• Discuss the card combinations that best fit the current and future market.

• Present your skills portfolio and justify your choices.

Feedback

Duration: (15 - 20 minutes)

This feedback stage is essential for consolidating learning and allowing students to articulate and reflect on the knowledge acquired. Through group discussion, students have the opportunity to verbalize and compare their ideas, which not only reinforces understanding of the content but also promotes communication and critical thinking skills. Additionally, this stage helps the teacher evaluate students' understanding and the effectiveness of the activities carried out.

Group Discussion

At the end of the activities, gather all groups for a joint discussion. Start the discussion with a brief introduction: 'Now that everyone has had the opportunity to explore and discuss changes in the world of work, let's share our discoveries and reflections. Each group will have a few minutes to present their project and main conclusions. After the presentations, we will discuss in a large group how the different solutions and perspectives interconnect and what we can learn from these varied views.'

Key Questions

1. What were the biggest challenges your group faced when planning the implementation of technology in your sector?

2. How could the solutions proposed by other groups be applied in different contexts?

3. What lessons about the future of work can you apply to your own careers or studies?

Conclusion

Duration: (5 - 10 minutes)

The purpose of this Conclusion stage is to consolidate learning by linking theory to practice and highlighting the relevance of the theme for the students' lives. Summarizing key points helps ensure that students have captured the main messages of the lesson, while the closing emphasizes the importance of the content discussed and its application in real situations, preparing them for future decisions and challenges in the job market.

Summary

In this conclusion, we recap the main discussions about changes in the world of work, emphasizing the different forms of work and the transformations brought about by technology. We reviewed the simulated scenarios and proposed solutions, highlighting how automation and digitization affect both tasks and labor relations.

Theory Connection

Today's lesson was a bridge between the theory studied at home and the practice carried out in class. Activities such as the technological simulation and the card game allowed students to apply theoretical concepts in practical contexts, reinforcing understanding and the importance of adapting to new demands in the job market.

Closing

Understanding changes in the world of work is crucial not only for career choices but also for developing a critical awareness of social and economic dynamics. The ability to adapt and innovate becomes increasingly vital in a constantly evolving professional environment.