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Thanks for checking out the Will Robots Take My Job? WebQuest! Below you will find the lesson plan and other resources related to this project.
Purpose
The Will Robots Take My Job? WebQuest aims to introduce and inform students on the rapidly evolving workforce landscape. Automation and artificial intelligence are emerging technologies that are taking hold in many industries around the US. With more and more jobs being positioned as "at-risk" to automation, many workers are looking to transition to a new career. However, other workers may not be aware of the inroads technology is making into their industry. This project will help current and future jobseekers identify future-proof career paths.
Rationale
Current and future job-seekers should be aware of the risk automation and artificial intelligence poses to certain employment segments of the US workforce. It is important to understand the current and projected workforce landscape in order to make informed decisions on important—and potentially costly—options like apprenticeship or education.
Learner Description
This WebQuest is designed for at-risk adult learners enrolled in any high school or intermediate to advanced level English language development course. Students can also access this WebQuest as a supplemental exercise to be used in conjunction with other services provided by The Center for Workforce Solutions.
Prerequisites
Learners should be familiar with using a standard web browser, word processing software, presentation software, and simple screen recording tools.
Instructional Objectives
After completing this WebQuest, the learner will be able to:
- Conduct effective research using internet resources
- Describe current and future projections of the workforce landscape
- Gather, evaluate, and process relevant data
- Create a presentation using online tools
- Create a screen recording using online tools
- Engage in meaningful discussion with classmates
- Create and publish a blog
Standards Addressed
ISTE Standards for Students
- 1c: Students use technology to seek feedback that informs and improves their practice and to demonstrate their learning in a variety of ways.
- 1d: Students understand the fundamental concepts of technology operations, demonstrate the ability to choose, use and troubleshoot current technologies and are able to transfer their knowledge to explore emerging technologies.
- 3a: Students plan and employ effective research strategies to locate information and other resources for their intellectual or creative pursuits.
- 3b: Students evaluate the accuracy, perspective, credibility and relevance of information, media, data or other resources.
- 3d: Students build knowledge by actively exploring real-world issues and problems, developing ideas and theories and pursuing answers and solutions.
- 6a: Students choose the appropriate platforms and tools for meeting the desired objectives of their creation or communication.
Subject Matter Description
This WebQuest follows the model developed by Bernie Dodge and Tom March. It contains the following sections for learners:
- Introduction: This section provides an overview to help learners to become familiar with the topic.
- Task: The task to be completed is described in this section. Learners will view videos and access various websites to gather information around the central question: Will Robots Take My Job?
- Process: The list of steps to follow are provided. Learners will research, evaluate, and reflect on information gathered froma variety of sources. A discussion forum will be used to submit work and collaborate with classmates.
- Evaluation: A rubric is provided to help guide students to produce high-quality content. This rubric will be used by the instructor to assign a grade for work completed in this WebQuest.
- Conclusion: This section is used to prompt the learner to continue their thinking around what they have learned during this WebQuest.
Assessment
Learners will create a video presentation, a robust discussion board post, and a blog post all centered around the question: Will Robots Take My Job? All tasks will be evaluated based on the rubric provided in the WebQuest.
References
Banner image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay
Dodge, B. (2015). WebQuest.Org: Home. Webquest.Org. http://www.webquest.org/index.php
Dodge, B. (2015). WebQuest.Org: Home. Webquest.Org. http://www.webquest.org/index.php

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