Lesson video

Hello, my name is Mrs. Andy Bush.

Welcome to Computing.

I'm so glad you could join us for today's lesson.

We're going to be learning how the workplace has changed over time.

This lesson is called, "How the workplace has changed over time." And by the end of this lesson, you'll be able to recognise how the workplace has changed over time and the implications of modern-day working.

We'll be using these keywords throughout this lesson.

Let's have a look at them now.

Organisation.

Organisation, a group of people working together towards a shared purpose.

Stakeholder.

Stakeholder, an individual, group, or organisation that has a vested interest in a business or project.

Today's lesson will be broken down into two sections.

The first section, we will compare traditional and modern-day working.

And in the second section, we'll identify the implications of modern-day working.

Let's get started.

First of all, let's compare traditional and modern-day working.

An organisation is a group of people working together towards a shared purpose.

Examples of organisations include businesses, schools, local councils, and sports teams. The workplace has changed dramatically since the introduction of technology.

People's experiences will be very different depending on how quickly technology has been embraced by their organisation.

The traditional workplace might look something like this.

In a standard office, you might find many desks where each person will sit at their desk every day.

They will carry out their daily tasks such as using the computer, making calculations, dealing with paperwork.

The type of work person does in an office depends on the nature of the business, but in the main, each person turns up to the office every day and carries out a set of tasks.

Traditional teams often operate in fixed locations and engage in face-to-face communications.

The commute to and from the workplace often adds time to the working day for individuals.

Commute just means travelling to and from the workplace.

They may go by car, or bike, or even walk.

Working in an office often requires formal workwear, which can sometimes be costly and uncomfortable.

People frequently work in the same place every day.

Tasks completed are often labour intensive.

Examples include filing, checking data, or information by eye and manual calculations.

Communication using memos or the telephone can be slow, which can affect productivity.

The postal system is used to send receipts, invoices, and important information, which can delay the transfer of things.

People doing the same or similar jobs feel a sense of community.

They make friends with their colleagues and their allies within the workplace.

People often live near to their workplace, so after work, socialising is common.

Now, let's have a look at modern-day working.

Modern teams are frequently remote or hybrid, working partly in the office and partly at a location of their choice.

Using digital tools for collaboration.

A stakeholder is an individual, group, or organisation that has a vested interest in a business or project.

For example, in a school, the stakeholders would be, teachers, school governors, catering providers, support staff, local community, and pupils.

All of these people have an interest in the school.

Some stakeholders may not be allocated an office space at all.

They may be expected to work remotely.

Technology enables the use of digital tools such as video conferencing and online shared calendars.

Allowing people to meet online.

Stakeholders don't have to work near to where their organisations are located, and many businesses have locations all over the world.

Data and information are sent and stored digitally like email.

Okay, let's check your understanding.

True or false.

Traditional working practises aren't used anymore, with everything now being digital.

Pause the video and have a think.

Okay, what did you choose? Well, if you chose false, that's the correct answer.

Let's explain why? An organization's move to modern-day practises will depend on how quickly it embraces technology.

Some organisations still use more traditional methods or a mix of both.

Let's have a go at this fill the gap activity.

We're going to fill the gaps with these common words that relate to traditional or modern-day teams. Traditional modern-day teams. Traditional teams often operate in, locations and use, communication.

Modern teams are frequently or hybrid, using digital tools for.

Okay, stop the video and have a go at filling in the gaps.

Okay, let's see how you did.

Traditional teams often operate in fixed locations and use face-to-face communication.

Modern teams are frequently remote or hybrid using digital tools for collaboration.

Well done.

How did you do? Did you get them all right? If not, maybe have a look back on some of the content we've just covered, just so you make sure that you understand these keywords relating to traditional modern-day working.

Okay.

Let's have a look at Task A.

I'm going to read the following case studies and consider what you've learned so far.

I'm going to compare the traditional and modern methods of working and identify the ways in which technology has changed how people engage in the world of work.

Then you are going to think about what you would prefer in terms of traditional or modern-day working.

And you're going to explain your reasons.

Let's have a look at the case studies together and then we'll pause the video and you can have a go at the task.

Retired office worker Carol.

"I commuted to work using public transport, which could be inconvenience and time consuming.

My job involved taking notes in meetings, writing up the meeting agendas, filing important documents, taking and making telephone calls, plus a variety of other things.

I used pen and paper to make meeting notes and used a typewriter for formal documents and filed them in a filing cabinet in an alphabetical system." The second case study, let's look at IT company employee, Chen.

"I've worked for the same IT company for over 30 years and have seen many changes to the way I work.

At first, I was based in an office.

We communicated using a telephone, with the post office sending various documents internally or externally.

Over time, as technology progressed, I began communicating using mobile technology and email services.

I had an office base, but also commuted to different regions to engage with the teams I was then managing.

Nowadays, I work from home in a home office using various platforms to communicate and collaborate with my team." Finally, freelance animator, Ellie.

"I have a home office where I work on a daily basis.

To get work, I contact clients I've worked with previously.

I also use an online platform where I can apply for jobs.

I have all the equipment needed at home for my work, and I use an online calendar to help manage my time." How did you get on? So your task was to compare the traditional and modern methods of working and identify the ways in which technology has changed how people engage with the world of work.

Okay, let's have a look at Lucas's example.

"Traditionally, people used to travel to work each day.

This took time out of their day, and if transport wasn't reliable, their workday could be impacted.

They often use pen and paper to complete tasks, and sometimes the typewriter.

Files were stored manually in filing cabinets.

In more modern-day working environments, people use digital tools such as emails to communicate and collaborate.

Files stored digitally.

People see more likely to work from home.

I think things are much more fast in the modern world, so things get done quicker." Do you think you prefer traditional or modern-day working? Explain your reasons.

Let's have a look at what Lucas said.

"I think in today's modern society, it would be best to embrace modern-day working practises, and I quite enjoy using technology.

However, even when I'm communicating with my friends, sometimes I need a break from technology.

I think I need to think carefully about how to manage always being available online." How did your answer compare to Lucas? If you didn't quite include all of the detail, maybe go back and have another go.

Now we're gonna move on to the second section.

We're going to look at identifying the implications of modern-day working.

Modern-day working can have implications, some positive and others negative.

Let's have a look at some positive implications.

Stakeholders can work remotely.

This can save organisations money as they don't have to pay costly rent for the buildings the employees would normally work in.

Employees no longer need to travel to the workplace on a daily basis, which can save them both time and money, so both the stakeholder and the employee can save money in this situation.

People who work remotely can often choose where they complete their work.

They can work anywhere.

This can allow flexibility and fitting with other commitments like childcare or caring for somebody in their family.

Clothing is less formal.

Although employees are often asked to wear professional attire, this can be much less formal than an office setting.

This can be less expensive and more comfortable for employees.

Flexible work hours.

Traditionally, organisations had set working hours, often 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

The modern working day often offers more flexibility, allowing employees to fit work around other commitments, such as childcare, keeping fit, going to the gym, or pursuing a hobby, such as playing music.

Tasks are supported by digital tools.

Computers can increase productivity by automating tasks that may once have been done manually.

For example, spreadsheets.

Spreadsheets can easily do the calculations that people used to do by hand using a calculator much more quickly and efficiently, and they can be shared online with other parts of the organisation.

Employability.

Technology has enabled organisations to select the best individuals from around the world.

This means that multinational teams working together are common now.

Technology enables immediate communication.

Data and information are sent digitally, which reduces the time spent on labour intensive activities.

Emails can be sent giving other people within the organisation information, but also attaching documents, images, or files.

This can result in increased productivity.

More can be done in a given time scale.

Okay, let's consider some of the negative implications.

When working remotely, the opportunity to socialise with colleagues is very much reduced, which can lead to a sense of isolation.

In addition, if the individual working remotely fails to manage their time effectively, they may lose contact with their existing social group, and this might bring them anxiety and stress.

Having technology at hand when working remotely means that it's much harder to switch off from work, especially when colleagues can contact you at any time and in any place.

This is known as 24/7/365 availability.

Can you think of any other implications of modern-day working? Pause the video and have a think.

Let's have a look at Task B.

Your first task is to look at the following 10 statements and consider whether they are positive or negative implication of modern-day working.

So are they positive or negative? The second part of the task is for you to identify three positive and three negative implications of modern-day working.

Let's have a look at the five statements.

First of all, A, modern corporate culture will entice in-demand workers.

B, coworking spaces mean that people from different companies can work in the same place on very different assignments.

C, workers being separated by screens can result in miscommunication.

D, a diverse workforce can be employed.

And E, some workers may be replaced by technology.

Pause the video and have a go at choosing either a positive or negative implication.

How did you get on? Let's have a look at the responses.

So A, modern corporate culture will entice in demand workers.

That is a positive implication.

B, coworking species mean that people from different companies can work in the same place on different assignments.

Again, that is a positive implication.

It gives a company or a collection of companies more diversity and allows 'em to be more flexible in their working.

Workers being separated by screens can result resulting miscommunication.

While this is a negative implication.

Perhaps people miss that personal interaction with actual people rather than working with screens.

D, a diverse workforce can be employed.

That is a positive implication.

Remember, we discussed how people can be employed from all around the world from lots of different cultures and different ways of working.

E, some workers may be replaced by technology.

That is a negative implication.

Okay, let's have a look at the next five statements.

F, available jobs can be advertised in multiple places, including online.

G, employees may feel that everything is changing while they stay the same, leading to anxiety over individual performance.

H, notifications to take breaks could mean a healthy work-life balance.

I, tasks that used to take hours can now take minutes.

J, collaboration is easily achieved even if coworkers are not in the same location.

Okay, now pause the video and consider whether they are positive or negative Implications of modern-day working.

Okay, let's see how you got on.

F, available jobs can be advertised in multiple places including online.

That's a positive implication.

G, employees may feel that everything is changing while they stay the same, leading to anxiety over individual performance.

That's a negative implication.

Modern-day working can have negative impacts on employees and their health and wellbeing.

Notifications take breaks could mean a healthy work-life balance.

That's a positive implication.

So as well as negative implications in terms of health and wellbeing, technology can be used to have a positive impact as well.

Tasks that used to take hours can now take minutes.

That's a positive implication.

It speeds up tasks and also improves productivity for organisations.

J, collaboration is easily achieved even if coworkers are not in the same location.

That's another positive implication.

As we've talked about before, people from all around the world, in different cities across the same country, or countries internationally can work together.

So how did you get on? How many did you get right? Okay, the second part of your activity was to identify positive and negative implications of modern-day working.

So let's have a look at what Lucas put for his positive implications.

One, you don't have to spend time commuting so you can be more productive.

Two, you can work with teams all over the world.

Three, communications can be instant thanks to digital technologies, so you no longer have to wait for example for the post to arrive.

Instead, you can send and receive emails with files attached, which is instant.

Okay, what about the negative implications? Well, Lucas said, One, you may feel isolated from your colleagues.

You won't have people to talk to us freely at home.

Maybe you won't make as many friends if you're joining company for the first time.

Two, if your internet connection stops working, it will be impossible to attend meetings online, which might affect productivity.

Three, 24/7/365 working may leave you stressed if not managed correctly.

Well done on completing Task B.

How did you find that second activity where you had to come up with your own negative and positive implications? Was it easy? Or did you find it a little more difficult? We have now come to the end of today's lesson and you have done a fantastic job, so well done.

Let's summarise what we have learned.

Traditional teams often operate in fixed locations with face-to-face communication.

Modern teams are frequently remote or hybrid using digital tools for collaboration.

Advantages of modern-day working include increased productivity, enhanced customer service, and the option for round-the-clock working.

Disadvantages of modern-day working include employee burnout, employee isolation, and increased demand on IT systems. I hope you've enjoyed today's lesson.

I look forward to seeing you next time.