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Automation in Warehouses on the Example of Amazon

Project "Innovations in VET education" is co-financed by the European Union

Introduction to the WebQuest Topic
Information for the Teacher

Introduction to the WebQuest Topic

Materials for Students.

Amazon

Amazon is an American company, founded in 1994 in Seattle, focused on e-commerce (B2C), and operates the largest online store in the world.

Initially, Amazon was an online bookstore. Soon, its assortment expanded to include DVDs, computer equipment, electronics, furniture, groceries, and many other products. Amazon operates in Canada, the UK, Germany, France, China, Japan, Italy, Spain, Brazil, Poland, and many other countries. The delivery of ordered goods is theoretically possible worldwide, though there are some restrictions on target countries for certain orders.

In 2019, Amazon ranked 4th among the largest retail companies worldwide, with a revenue of 118.573 billion USD.

Amazon Warehouses

Amazon can process such a large number of orders thanks to intelligent warehouses. Simple (moving packages from one place to another) but also difficult (heavy packages, repetitive, monotonous work) tasks performed by humans have been replaced by robots. "Warehouse workers" move safely across the warehouse floor thanks to communication between them. No collisions are allowed to happen.

Amazon Employees

• Surveillance is focused on the worker. It watches over them, asks why they are less efficient. Cameras, scanners, controls, and sensors surround them.

• This is not just the pre-holiday period but the everyday time in an Amazon warehouse – thousands of additional workers handle peak shopping times at conveyor belts and shelves with millions of products.

• Everything in this logistical machine is measured and monitored. Employees scan goods, and every movement – before packaging a product or placing it on a shelf – is tracked by the system. Time is also counted.

• Efficient workers are marked green, slower ones – red.

• Amazon is a company focused on surveillance, as reported by the Open Markets Institute think tank in their report "Eyes Everywhere: Amazon’s Surveillance Infrastructure and Revitalizing Worker Power."

• The company's business model is based on collecting and analyzing data – closely monitoring consumer behavior to sell them products, tracking sellers to copy their offers and compete with them, and monitoring employees to "optimize" them.

Information for the Teacher

The WebQuest is intended for students of vocational schools and technical colleges with an electrical-mechatronics profile. Its goal is to familiarize students with the impact of technical and IT solutions on the operation of modern warehouses and logistics centers.

Students will work in groups, and each group will prepare a multimedia presentation.

Through this WebQuest, students will:

• Learn what modern warehouses look like.

• Understand how automation impacts efficiency.

• Learn the current role of humans in modern warehouse operations.

• Explore the future of this industry.

Students will work both independently (gathering information) and in groups (creating presentations). This way, they will practice both group and individual work.

Suggested time for the WebQuest:

Students will work on the process for 10 lessons

Assessment Criteria:

The assessment will be based on how thoroughly the topic is covered. Students should be guided towards the appropriate knowledge that will ensure the maximum grade (5). Exceeding this level will result in a grade of 6.

Evaluation

The teacher will help students analyze the content together with them until they fully understand it. They will provide assistance, advice, and explanations, not ready-made solutions. This method will be a good way to foster independent action and creative thinking.

• The teacher should thoroughly analyze the content with students until they fully understand it. They should focus more on providing help, advice, and explanations, rather than ready-made solutions. This method will help encourage independent action and creative thinking.

• The division into groups can be done according to various criteria, e.g., cognitive abilities, skills, interests, to ensure a balanced distribution of strength within the groups.

• The teacher can assist students when they work in groups by asking guiding questions. It should be remembered that they are learning a new way of working (a process). It should also be noted that the topic is complex and will require the teacher's assistance for full understanding.

• The teacher should provide students with specific information regarding the evaluation of their achievements, both during group work and in the final summary of results.

TASK

You will divide into 3 groups. Each group will prepare a presentation on the functioning of modern warehouses, using Amazon warehouses as a specific example.

These warehouses are considered the most optimized and automated in the world. At the same time, the objectification of workers is often highlighted – resulting from this optimization.

Each group will prepare a presentation on one of the following topics:

• Automation and efficiency in managing shipping warehouses.

• Amazon's scale of operations and the enabling structure.

• The role of employees in the Amazon company structure.

Remember, your presentations will be presented in front of the class. Your classmates will ask questions, and you will have the opportunity to demonstrate your knowledge.

Together, we will discuss whether such a warehouse is a good place to work. What scale of operations makes an automated warehouse necessary?

Remember, searching for information and preparing your presentation should lead you to actively participate in our discussion – this is the key element of the whole process.

Stage 1 – Introduction to the Task

• Based on my introduction to the topic and available resources, familiarize yourself with the subject of this WebQuest.

• I will gladly help you by pointing out necessary sources of information for preparing the presentation.

• In your work, make sure to present your own thoughts, but base them on verifiable sources.

• Ask questions – they will help you plan your work for the following stages.

• We will work using Amazon as an example, but remember, such warehouses are becoming more common.

Stage 2 – Work on Presentations

• You will divide into 3 groups. Each group will work on one topic.

• I will discuss the assigned topic with each group and help plan the work. I will verify your initial ideas.

• Remember, your presentations will be presented in front of the class and will serve as a starting point for later discussions.

• First, gather the information. Then, think about how to present it attractively. Finally, decide how to present it to the class in an engaging way.

• Remember, both the informational and aesthetic value of your work will be assessed.

Stage 3 – Discussion

• Based on your presentations, we will have a discussion in which we will check what you have learned from the presentations shown in the previous stage.

• This will help you systematize your knowledge and form an opinion on both technical and organizational aspects as well as labor rights.

• You will have the opportunity to ask questions and share your opinion.

Stage 4 – Evaluation

• Throughout the process, you will be observed.

• I will evaluate both your engagement in the presentation preparation and your participation in the discussion.

• You will be assessed according to clear and consistent criteria for everyone.

Work Steps and Time

2h

Stage 1

4h

Stage 2

4h

Stage 3

2h

Stage 4

Points	2	3	4
Content Quality	Work is weak in terms of content. Missing elements.	Work is good in terms of content. Minor or no errors.	Work is excellent in terms of content. Correct, engaging information.
Presentation of Work	• Presentation is unclear, superficial, and not engaging. • Lack of participation in discussion.	• Presentation is clear, good, and interesting. • The student participates in discussions but with limited input.	• Presentation is attractive, thorough, and engaging. • The student actively participates in discussions and contributes significantly.
Aesthetic Impressions	• Work is unclear, untidy, and poorly executed. • Poor arrangement of elements on the page.	• Work is clear, neat, and carefully done. • Good arrangement of elements on the page.	• Work is aesthetically pleasing, clear, and highly polished. It stands out visually. • Excellent arrangement of elements on the page.
Group Work	Lack of involvement of all group members in work and creative collaboration.	Good involvement of all group members. Satisfactory collaboration skills.	Full engagement of all group members. Excellent cooperation and motivation within the group.