Caribbean advance

proficiency exam

Communication studies

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Name: Javian Jagdeen

Name of Teacher: Ms. Bryan
Centre #:100039
Candidate #: 100039_ _ _ _
 Introduction
This portfolio centralizes the theme of Technology. The researchers study was conducted on how
the rapid improvements in technology affects the career choices of students at the secondary level. This
portfolio was created in attempt to enlighten fellow students and the population on the negative aspects of
technological advancement and see how students at the secondary level have chosen to mitigate
technological unemployment.
This portfolio entails: an exposition which consisted of primary source and secondary sources
that provided reliable evidence on the negative aspects of technological advancement in the work force
and how student that are about to enter the workforce consider their career paths, a reflective piece
containing are preface which informs the audience of the purpose of writing the reflective piece. The
reflective piece gives a relatable account of the advancement in technology and technological
unemployment, finally an analysis of the reflective piece which mainly focuses on language elements
under the topics of expression, content and organization.
The researcher is currently undertaking a computer science course which the theme of technology
and how it impacts the society negatively is a part of the syllabus. With the rapid improvements of
technology spanning far and wide in the workforce that researcher is planning on entering, hence having
plans on how to deal with the improvement of technology is impertinent. Personally, the researcher is
very interested in technology as a whole resulting in the theme being chosen.
 Exposition
For decades, technological movements have benefitted individuals and economies across the
globe. One of the effects of technological advancement is the manner by which it continues to modify the
labour market. A common economic implication of technology is that it creates an inverse relationship
between productivity and employment levels. According to economic theory, one would anticipate
employment levels to increase, due to increases in productivity of the workforce, but this has not been the
case due to innovation and technology.
Technological unemployment is the loss of jobs caused by technological change. Such change
typically includes the introduction of labour-saving "mechanical-muscle" machines or more efficient
"mechanical-mind" processes (automation).It is widely stated that low-skilled workers are the most
harmed by technological developments, as robots and computing advancements regularly replace workers
undertaking repetitive tasks. Unemployment is on the rise within sectors that are mainly based around
administration, service work and even within construction. However, at the same time employment
opportunities are on the surge for labour whose skills are complementary to new technology, for instance
workers skilled and educated in IT and engineering related disciplines. In terms of employment,
technology is benefitting those with greater analytical, problem solving and creative skills.
Given the association between technological advancement and unemployment the researcher has
taken interest in how students at the secondary level will mitigate this problem.
Discussion of Primary Sources
This research intends to investigate if the career choices of students at the secondary level has been
influenced by the rapid improvement in technology.
A questionnaire was selected as the preferred form of data collection as this was seen as the most
appropriate and accurate method of data collection for this sample size. The questionnaire consisted of 14
questions with ranged, open ended and closed ended responses. The research sample was taken from the
sixth [6th] form body at Glenmuir high school. A total of thirty [30] questionnaires were given out
electronically on the 21st of November. A total of twenty-five [25] responses were received consisting of
ten [10] females and fifteen [15] males. The response rated was therefore approximately 85%.
The result showed that all persons were between the ages of 17-19. 85% [20 persons] of the population
were currently studying an IT related course. The following question inquired if their current career
choices were heavily reliant on technology which 60% [15 persons] responded “Yes”. This means that
60% of the respondents’ career choices were based on technological improvement in the sector. The
respondents were also asked if they were currently pursuing a career in the business /economic sector, of
which only 60% replied positively. The opinion on automations in the accounting sector was also
inquired to which all persons queried responded that they believed in the next decade accounting would
either be done by programs or machines. 40% [ 10 persons] stated that they had to change their career
path at the 6th form level as they realized accounting was now beginning to become obsolete. The
respondents were also asked about their initial career choice upon entering high school and if there was
any change why did the change occur. All respondents stated that their current career choice was different
from their initial career choices however only 85% of the respondents’ reasons for the career choice was
based or linked to technological improvements made in the field and /or the presence of technology made
their role insignificant.
Discussion of Secondary Sources
As stated by Shelly Palmer, CEO of The Palmer Group, a strategic advisory, technology solutions,
in his article ‘THE 5 JOBS ROBOTS WILL TAKE FIRST’ “Data processing probably created more jobs
than it eliminated, but machine learning -- based accountants and bookkeepers will be so much better than
their human counterparts, you're going to want to use the machines. Robo-accounting is in its infancy, but
it's awesome at dealing with accounts payable and receivable, inventory control, auditing and several
other accounting functions that humans used to be needed to do. Big Four auditing is in for a big shake-
up, very soon.”
His view is also supported by Rachel Nuwer which she says “In the past decades, computers, cash
machines and self-serve pumps have largely replaced secretaries, bank tellers and gas station attendants,
respectively.” Lee Reams, CEO of ClientWhys and TaxBuzz.com, has stated that by 2025 7% of all jobs
will be endangered by technology however he does not find the situation hopeless as and thus urges
accounts to adapt to the rapid improvements observed in technology.
Daniyal Rehman in his article stated “A technological shock will indeed decrease demand for low
skilled workers, but it is likely that such workers will be able to re-train and find employment elsewhere.
This however depends on the flexibility of the labour force in regards to changes in technology. If a
labour market is highly adaptable and responsive to technological changes then employment levels are not
likely to be reduced or even possibly increasing in the future. Less skillful workers will need to stay intact
with technology movements by developing IT, social and even creative skills. Today, computing skills
are applied to various sectors including healthcare, education and financial services where employment
possibilities continuously arise. In the short-run, technology developments will benefit some and cause
harm to others, but in the long run the overall employment rate will not be significantly hampered.”
Dan Shewan did an extensive study on automatons taking over jobs in the US and Britian. He
stated “With millions of jobs at risk and a worldwide employment crisis looming, it is only logical that we
should turn to education as a way to understand and prepare for the robotic workforce of tomorrow. In an
increasingly unstable employment market, developed nations desperately need more science, technology,
engineering and math – commonly abbreviated as Stem – graduates to remain competitive”
Challenges
One of the challenges in completing this study was that due to time constraint the researcher was unable
to incorporate a wider cross section of adolescents which would have made the responses more
representative of the age group. This thereby affected the external validity of the research.
Correlation between Sources
The data collected within the primary sources imitated those collected by researches in the secondary
sources. This means that although the secondary sources research was conducted internationally based on
the external validity of their researches the data collected in the primary source is able to be parallel to
those in the secondary sources. The secondary sources also complimented each other in which all
researchers supported the main idea of their research, though only a few of the secondary sources were
able to suggest a solution to the problem.
Evaluating of Primary Source
Source
A questionnaire was issued to 30 Sixth form students using the random sampling technique. The use of
the random sampling technique has the specific advantage of reducing selection bias, which would in turn
increase the reliability and validity of the responses. The sample size was small and limited to a subset of
the “teenage years” (16-19), so the sample size is not as representative of the population as it should be in
order to make generalizations. This therefore affects the external validity of their research source.
Context
The questionnaires were sent electronically resulting in less of a hassle to receive the questionnaire from
the respondents and also allowed the respondents to do it on their own time resulting in well thought out
responses. Also, the respondents were very willing to participate in the research. This positive mindset
implies that the responses given may be a true reflection of the view of the respondents, thus the
possibility of increasing reliability and validity.
Medium
The questionnaire had no leading or loaded questions allowing respondents to express their honest
opinions without being pressured or persuaded into a certain response. Definition of challenging words
were also placed in the introductory paragraph to help students. As a result, respondents were able to
complete the questionnaire relatively quickly and had no queries about the questions. All questions were
answered in completion portraying the comprehensiveness of the questions, thus increasing the reliability
and validity.
Evaluation of Secondary Source
Source
Shelly Palmer is CEO of The Palmer Group, and Dan Shewan are all valid sources based on their
credentials however it can be stated that Dan Shewan is biased as the negatives that are unraveled in his
research are then blamed on poor presidency. They all are affiliated with major university and newspaper
publishers which attest to their reliability and credibility.
Context
The article was published on the 11th of January 2017 which is quite recent. Many citations were made in
the articles from established institutions that provided relevant statistics from sampling done in the United
States. There was a good level of diversity in terms of geographical location because reference was made
to researches conducted in different countries which produced results that were similar, however
Technology affecting jobs more so the accounting sector is a global topic which can be related to other
countries of similar of different cultural and geological backgrounds. Therefore, the extent of validity
might be affected as some aspects of the research cannot be generalized to the Jamaican Society.
Medium
The research was found online with the domain name including “.org”. This suggests that these sites are
authorized institutions therefore the publisher/s have the responsibility of making informed and reliable
statements about the matters they speak on. These publishers are associated with universities therefore the
information that was produced would have met the required standards for validity and reliability
Conclusion and Recommendation
Based on the research conducted it is safe to say that the improvements of technology in the accounting
field and in general does influence the career choices of students at the secondary level. Whereas it was
not the only factor influencing the change of career paths it can be seen that a majority of the person that
wanted to pursue business but changed their career path because of technological advancement and
technological unemployment in its earlier stages as there would be no job opportunities.
In an increasingly unstable employment market, developed nations desperately need more science,
technology, engineering and math – commonly abbreviated as Stem – graduates to remain competitive.
Therefore, I would recommend students at the secondary level that are choosing their career paths to
choose one relating to S.T.E.M.
 Reflective piece

Preface
This narrative, “The Price of a Job” centralizes around an AI [Artificial Intelligence], Friday. That has
been programmed to have human intelligence and human like emotions, and is task with managing the
accounting features and security of a bank by himself. The story approaches its climax when the C.E.O
reminisces of when there were actual employees in the establishment which prompts Friday to question
why they aren’t. Uncovering the truth that machinery has taken over the work place and lively-hood of
persons, resulting in high crime rates and wars for resources. Which results in him feeling dejected but is
then brought to an understanding when he speaks to the C.E.O.-
The researcher wrote this story firstly to inform the reader that the livelihood of persons is currently
threaten by the rapid advancement of technology. Secondly, to enlighten persons that even though
technology is seen as improving our lives and making day to day task simpler there is an actual negative
attached to rapid improvement.
The Price of a Job
Theme: Technology