Peer Review

Living Wage Calculator

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Overview:: Calculation of wages needed to support a family of various sizes based on location (county or city). The living wage calculator can be used to estimate the cost of living in your community or region. The calculator lists typical expenses, the living wage and typical wages for the selected location.
Type of Material:: Reference Material.
Recommended Uses:: This could be a research tool for social research that may include community network studies, diversity studies, educational and vocational studies, demographic studies, etc. It could also be used for both micro and macro case studies. Would be useful in classes on inequality.
Technical Requirements:: High speed internet and use of an internet browser.
Identify Major Learning Goals:: Develop an appreciation of the variance in living wages to sustain a minimal lifestyle which meets basic needs and recognizing that living wage varies by region and within regions. It could be useful to show "real world" situations and spark a discussion of how much money it takes to live. The state-by-state charts of wages and living wages could be used comparatively.
Target Student Population:: High school students and undergraduates.
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:: Since this is a tool which can provide information for research and demographic case studies, students would have to have the basics of sociology, social research and the study of communities. Some understanding of statistics is necessary.

Rating:
Strengths:: Nice introduction of the concept of Living Wage and its importance to social research. An annotated list of pertinent studies is provided. Calculating the Living Wage is fully explained in a linked website. Hotlinks to all the U.S. states are included. Once at the state, there are links to all counties. Reports are listed in table form: Living Wage, Expenses, and Typical Salaries. Comprehensive and comparative charts are provided.
Concerns:: How are the numbers kept up to date? Even in selected locations there would be significant variation in cost of living.

Rating:
Strengths:: There is a nice connection between the webpage and related current studies. The data are current and based on data from government and other reputable sources. Each state is divided into counties. Good listing of expense categories that many would not consider.
Concerns:: Since this is a tool there are not specific learning objectives outlined and discussion of how specifically this data can be used. The information is freely available but presumes the reader knows how to read it. Some example applications would help. How are the numbers going to be kept up to date?

Rating:
Strengths:: This is easy to use,very simply laid out and flows in logical layers of links to reach the data sought. Links seem to be working. Information is provided as to how to reach the author. There is also an easy to use search engine for locations.
Concerns:: Those who need more guidance for a pedagogical activity will not find it.

Other Issues and Comments:: This tool could be better applied to student learning including better directions for use,potential applications, and case applications. More theoretical framing for the idea of a living wage, both pros and cons, would be desireable.
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