Technology and Workplaces

Curriculum Area

Subject: Technology
Level: A-Level (Key Stage 5 - Ages 16-18)
Specific Curriculum Link: AQA A-Level in Design and Technology – Component “The broader perspectives of design and technology” (specifically addressing “The implications of technology on society, including responsibility to the environment and communities (including the workplace)”).

Lesson Objective

By the end of the session, students will:

• Analyse and critically evaluate the impact of technology in the workplace, covering automation, AI, and emerging digital tools in UK industries.
• Reflect on ethical considerations, socioeconomic implications, and how technology reshapes job roles and human collaboration.
• Demonstrate understanding of case studies and predict potential future trends in workplace technology within the UK.
• Present their findings creatively, demonstrating comprehension and analysis.

Lesson Duration

180 minutes

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Lesson Breakdown

Introduction (15 minutes)

Objective: Engage students in defining and relating to the lesson topic.

1. Activity: Opening Discussion (5 minutes)

   • Question prompts for students to discuss:
     • “What technologies do you believe have changed workplaces recently?”
     • “Do you think these impacts are positive, negative, or both? Why?”
   • The teacher facilitates, recording keywords on the board (e.g. "AI," "remote working," "automation").

2. Activity: Quick Poll (5 minutes)

   • Poll students: “Do you think technology has created more jobs or eliminated them in the UK workplace?”
   • Use coloured cards or a quick hands-up system to tally responses before proceeding to debate the merits of their answers briefly.

3. Set the Stage (5 minutes)

   • Teacher provides an overview of the session and shares today’s three key questions:
     • “How has technology changed workplaces in the UK?”
     • “What benefits and challenges arise from these changes?”
     • “What is the future of technology in workplaces, and how does society prepare for this?”

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Exploration: Case Study Analysis (60 minutes)

Objective: Encourage students to explore real-world examples and develop critical perspectives.

Activity: Tech in Industry Case Studies (20 minutes)

• Group Work (4 groups of 2): Each pair is assigned a UK-specific case study to explore:
  1. Case 1: Automation in Manufacturing (e.g., robots used in car assembly lines).
  2. Case 2: Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare (e.g., diagnostic AI tools like Babylon Health).
  3. Case 3: Remote Working Technologies (e.g., significance of tools like Microsoft Teams & Zoom during the pandemic).
  4. Case 4: Retail and Logistics Automation (e.g., the impact of warehouse robots like Ocado’s systems).
• Task: Each pair answers the following:
  • What are the key benefits of this technology?
  • What challenges or concerns does this introduce?
  • What might this mean for the future workforce?

Activity: Group Sharing and Feedback (20 minutes)

• Each pair delivers a 3-4 minute presentation on the findings from their case study to the group.

Class Reflection (20 minutes)

• Teacher facilitates a whole-class discussion, asking:
  • “Which technology seems to have had the most significant impact? Why?”
  • “Which case showed the highest risk of job displacement?”

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Application: Hands-on Design Task (60 minutes)

Objective: Cultivate creativity and problem-solving by envisioning the future.

Activity: Tomorrow's Workplace

1. Scenario Brief (10 minutes)

   • Teacher introduces the task: Design a positive UK workplace of 2040 that incorporates emerging technologies responsibly.
   • Students work in teams to create:
     • A visual sketch/blueprint of their workplace design.
     • A short justification: how their workplace addresses benefits, challenges, and ethical concerns.

2. Creative Development (40 minutes)

   • Students use resources: sketching pads, markers, or 3D software (e.g., TinkerCAD if available) to conceptualise.

3. Presentations (10 minutes)

   • Each team has 2-3 minutes to showcase their design and rationale to the class.

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Wrap-Up: Debate and Summary (30 minutes)

Objective: Consolidate learning and encourage critical evaluation.

1. Light Debate (10 minutes)

   • Motion: “Technology creates more opportunities than challenges in the workplace.”
   • Half the class argues for the motion, the other half argues against. Encourage students to reference the case studies, presentations, and real-life examples used during the class.

2. Teacher Summary (5 minutes)

   • Recap key insights from today’s lesson:
     • Key ways technology benefits UK workplaces: efficiency, collaboration, new job types.
     • Risks: job losses, ethical dilemmas, dependency on tech.
     • Future trends and the role of responsible innovation.

3. Reflection (5 minutes)

   • Quick round of student feedback: “One thing I learned today” or “Something I’ll think about after this lesson.”

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Homework Assignment

Task: Essay Writing

Title: "How should the UK balance technological advancement and workforce sustainability?"
Length: 1,000 words
Instructions: Include at least 2 case studies from today’s lesson as evidence, plus a discussion of at least 2 ethical or socioeconomic challenges.

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Materials Needed

• Whiteboard or smartboard.
• Coloured cards for polling.
• Sketching materials like paper and markers (or access to design software if available).
• Copies of case studies (printed or digital handouts).

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Assessment Criteria

Students will be assessed on:

1. Depth of analysis in discussions and reflections.
2. Creativity in proposing future workplace designs.
3. Ability to link real-world examples provided in the session.
4. Quality and critical depth of final homework essay.

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This lesson plan combines critical thinking, teamwork, creativity, and reflection, offering students a highly relevant exploration of how technology impacts UK workplaces while ensuring they actively engage with real-world examples and future projections.