Engaging with labor force data to reimagine the future of work

• In Event: 20461 - Teaching and Learning Symposium Roundtable Session
  In Refereed Roundtable (90 minute): Table 5: Careers & Future Work

Abstract

This presentation will describe an in-class activity for undergraduates that provides students with the opportunity to interpret figures, speculate about why trends are occurring, and imagine and reimagine the future. To prepare for this assignment, the instructor will identify recent figures showing trends over time in labor force inequalities, such as the figures on gender, race, and poverty from the U.S. Census Bureau’s yearly report “Income in the United States.” The instructor will also make notes on the main reasons for the trends in the selected figures, drawing on sociological scholarship. Once in class, the activity has four parts: (1) Students organize into small groups and each group is assigned one figure to discuss. In groups, students identify the overall trends shown in the assigned figure and then speculate about why these trends are observed. (2) A student from each group reports back to the large group. The instructor coaches the student through interpretation of the figure, correcting or adding information as needed. The student also shares the group’s speculation about possible reasons for the trends shown. The instructor clarifies, elaborates, or shares additional information as needed. (3) Students return to small groups to discuss what direction they think the trends will go in the future and what direction they think the trends should go in order to have the best outcomes for society. They are also asked to offer suggestions about what societal changes would be needed for the trends to go in the direction they think best. (4) The instructor continues the discussion about reimagining work in the large group, emphasizing the societal changes most likely to bring about future of work that students imagine. This presentation will provide additional information about implementation, share positive experiences with the activity, and highlight potential pitfalls.

Author

• Maura Kelly, Portland State University