Lesson Plan: Future of Work

Subjects:

Economics, World History, Geography

Objectives:

• Explain the role of automatic and artificial intelligence in a changing economy.
• Analyze historical examples of change in the labor force as a result of new technology.

For Teachers:

New technology has long changed labor and economic systems, from the development of the plow to the advent of the steam engine.

The Industrial Revolution, which began in England in the late 1700s, initiated a more rapid change in innovation and technology than the world had ever experienced. The workforce, social classes and economic system structure were all affected. Women began to take a greater role in the economy, and the middle class expanded. Automation in the textile industry started a chain reaction. Machines have infiltrated every aspect of our society. In today’s world, further automation and the development of artificial intelligence are creating new questions about the relationship between technology and work.

Essential Questions:

• How have labor systems changed in response to changing economic conditions?
• What is automation and artificial intelligence? How have these developments affected the economy?

Lesson Procedure:

This mini-lesson consists primarily of comprehension and discussion questions for students.

Questions for students:

• Based on the video, logging is becoming more automated, but the “pain will hit close to home.” What is meant by that statement?
• The video suggests that 40 percent of jobs that exist today are likely to disappear in the next few decades. What types of jobs are most likely to be replaced by automation?
• How is the automation of the textile industry an example for the future?
• What are some connections between Luddites and modern society?
• Are advances in technology worth the loss of jobs?
• How would life and work need to be restructured as technology advances? Who decides?
• What areas of your life could be, or have been, replaced by automation?
• What is an episodic career? How is it different from careers in the past?

Potential Extension Activity:

Some students use ChatGPT to help with homework assignments or write essays. Have the students ask it the questions they discussed as a class. For example, this was the response when ChatGPT was asked: What things in my life could be automated?

“There are numerous aspects of life that can be automated to make tasks more efficient and save time. Here are some areas where automation can be implemented:
1. Home automation: You can automate various tasks within your home, such as turning on and off lights, adjusting thermostats, controlling appliances, and managing security systems. Smart home devices and voice assistants like Amazon Echo or Google Home can help you achieve this.
2. Task scheduling: Automating your task scheduling can help you manage your time more effectively. Use digital calendars and scheduling tools to set reminders, appointments, and recurring tasks. This can include organizing your work schedule, personal appointments, and other activities.
3. Financial management: Automating financial tasks can simplify your money management. Set up automatic bill payments, recurring transfers, and investments. Use budgeting apps or software to track your expenses, set financial goals, and receive alerts for unusual account activity.
4. Email filtering and organization: Email overload can be overwhelming. Utilize email filters and rules to automatically sort and prioritize incoming emails. Categorize emails, set up folders or labels, and create automated responses for common inquiries.
5. Social media management: If you use social media for personal or professional purposes, you can automate certain tasks. Schedule posts in advance using tools like Hootsuite or Buffer. Use automation to monitor keywords, engage with followers, and analyze social media metrics.
6. Data backups: Regularly backing up your important files and data is crucial. Set up automatic backups to external hard drives, cloud storage services like Dropbox or Google Drive, or use backup software to ensure your data is safe in case of a computer failure or data loss.
7. Personal health and fitness tracking: Numerous wearable devices and smartphone apps can automate tracking your physical activity, heart rate, sleep patterns, and more. These tools provide insights into your health and fitness progress and can help you set goals.
8. Online shopping: Online shopping platforms often offer subscription-based services that allow you to automate routine purchases. Set up recurring orders for items you frequently need, such as groceries, toiletries, or pet supplies.

Remember that while automation can simplify tasks and save time, it’s important to find a balance. Some activities may still require your personal attention and decision-making.”

Additional Resources:

• Transcript of “Future of Work“

About the Author:

Lauren Heath is a Social Studies instructional coach in Katy, Texas. She has a master’s degree from Trinity University.

Standards

C-3 Framework Standards for Social Studies:

D2.Eco.1.6-8. Explain how economic decisions affect the well-being of individuals, businesses, and society.
D2.Eco.1.9-12. Analyze how incentives influence choices that may result in policies with a range of costs and benefits for different groups.
D2.Eco.7.6-8. Analyze the role of innovation and entrepreneurship in a market economy
D2.Eco.13.9-12. Explain why advancements in technology and investments in capital goods and human capital increase economic growth and standards of living.
D2.Geo.4.6-8. Explain how cultural patterns and economic decisions influence environments and the daily lives of people in both nearby and distant places.
D2.His.1.6-8. Analyze connections among events and developments in broader historical contexts.
D2.His.1.9-12. Evaluate how historical events and developments were shaped by unique circumstances of time and place as well as broader historical contexts.
D2.His.14.6-8. Explain multiple causes and effects of events and developments in the past.