Growing the Crowd of Users for Microtask Platforms With the Goal of Alleviating Poverty
Department
Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering
Major
Civil Engineering
Research Advisor
Oerther, Daniel B.
Advisor's Department
Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering
Abstract
Microtasks are short simple tasks that almost any human being can perform but a computer program cannot. These types of tasks are available online through several different mediums. The objective of this research project is to grow the crowd of users engaged in microtasks in rural Missouri and in villages in developing countries. An initial step in this process has been the creation of MSTWorks.org, a website and marketing campaign designed to specifically grow the number of microtask workers in Phelps County region. Current microtask platforms provide opportunities to earn minimum wage, and linking unemployed and underemployed individuals with self-paced, work-from-anywhere jobs through the internet promises to improve access to income with the additional anticipated benefits of improved wellness and reduced criminal tendencies.
Biography
Lee is a senior Civil Engineering major who will graduate next December. His focus will most likely be in environmental engineering. After graduating Lee wants to focus on helping people in third world countries. This will most likely include missionary work hopefully based in Africa. He also wants to pursue his Emergency Medical Technician license and possibly a paramedic degree. Although the first thing on his plate is seeing how far his baseball career can take him. He will be playing for a Professional Independent baseball team this summer in hopes of getting a chance to play for an affiliated team. Lee grew up in Hesston, KS and attended Hesston High School where he played football, basketball, and ran track. He signed to play football for Bethel College and did that in the fall of 2008 before transferring at semester to Hesston College to play baseball. This was then repeated for the next year transferring again. Finally, after his sophomore year he signed to play baseball with Missouri University of Science and Technology. Both of his first two colleges where Mennonite Colleges and he is deeply rooted in his faith. His goal in life is to help people no matter what the cost and a degree in Civil Engineering and doing research for Dr. Oerther has him right where he wants to be.
Research Category
Social Sciences
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Document Type
Poster
Award
Social sciences poster session, Second place
Location
Upper Atrium/Hallway
Presentation Date
10 Apr 2012, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Growing the Crowd of Users for Microtask Platforms With the Goal of Alleviating Poverty
Upper Atrium/Hallway
Microtasks are short simple tasks that almost any human being can perform but a computer program cannot. These types of tasks are available online through several different mediums. The objective of this research project is to grow the crowd of users engaged in microtasks in rural Missouri and in villages in developing countries. An initial step in this process has been the creation of MSTWorks.org, a website and marketing campaign designed to specifically grow the number of microtask workers in Phelps County region. Current microtask platforms provide opportunities to earn minimum wage, and linking unemployed and underemployed individuals with self-paced, work-from-anywhere jobs through the internet promises to improve access to income with the additional anticipated benefits of improved wellness and reduced criminal tendencies.
Comments
Joint project with Montana Puckett