Step 1: Pick a Topic

Question

Choose an area of life that has been positively affected by advancements in technology. You can pick one from the following or another, different area of your choice:

Banking
Medicine
Online learning
College and career readiness
Life-long learning/daily living
Step 2: Explore the Topic
Using an online search tool and/or reviewing Lesson 4, research how technology has impacted your chosen topic. Begin your search by asking essential questions about your topic:

What was this area like 10 years ago? 15 years ago?
How do the changes since then positively impact people’s lives?
How do advancements in technology affect this area the most?
Add at least two questions of your own as well to help guide your online research. Be sure to document your discoveries as you explore the topic.

Step 3: Make the Comparison Chart
You can create your comparison chart in a word processing or spreadsheet document. The format is very flexible—it is up to you—so feel free to create your chart as a graphic or slideshow if you prefer!

At a minimum, your chart could include a table with headers and columns, like this one:

Table 1 Sample comparison chart
Then (2012) Now (2022)
Chosen Topic
But, if you would like, exercise your creative muscles and think of a more imaginative way to create your chart!

Step 4: Add Content to the Chart
Complete the comparison chart with information about the topic from the past (at least 10 years in the past). Next, add information about the topic from the present. The information on the “Now” side should highlight how technology has made positive improvements to this area of life.

Your comparison chart should include:

At least one description of the topic from the past
At least one description of the topic from the present (emphasizing the impact of technology)
Images to support your descriptions (optional)
Your completed chart should incorporate your responses to the questions in Step 2.

Step 5: What to Submit
Save your comparison chart as a PDF for JPEG (to preserve formatting). Submit your document to the dropbox.

Answer 1

Here's a sample layout and content for your comparison chart focusing on Online Learning as the chosen topic.

Comparison Chart

| Then (2012) | Now (2023) | |-------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------| | Access to Education: In 2012, online learning was still in its infancy. Many institutions offered limited courses online, and students often faced challenges with technology access, course quality, and lack of interactivity. The majority of learning still occurred in traditional classroom settings. | Access to Education: Online learning has matured into a comprehensive, flexible educational model. Students can now choose from a vast array of courses and programs from accredited institutions worldwide, often with multiple formats such as live lectures, recorded sessions, and interactive forums. | | Technology Use: In 2012, learning management systems (LMS) existed but lacked many of the robust features available today. Interaction involved basic forums and email communication. Students had to rely on their own discipline to stay on track. | Technology Use: Modern LMS platforms (like Canvas, Moodle, and Google Classroom) provide integrated tools for assignments, grading, and real-time communication. Features such as virtual classrooms, chatbots for support, and comprehensive multimedia resources enhance the learning experience. | | Learning Experience: The overall learning experience was often static. Many courses relied heavily on text-based materials with few interactive or engaging elements, making it difficult to keep students motivated. | Learning Experience: Today, online courses offer interactive elements like quizzes, gamified learning, simulations, and peer collaboration tools, which can significantly boost engagement and retention rates. Features like discussion boards, live Q&A sessions, and group projects replicate a classroom experience. | | Career Development: Online courses mainly served adult learners looking for professional development but were limited in offering accredited college degrees, often leading to skepticism from employers. | Career Development: The proliferation of online degree programs has made it easier for students to gain accepted qualifications. Furthermore, many companies have begun to recognize online degrees as equal to traditional degrees, broadening career opportunities for graduates. | | Social Interaction: In 2012, online students often felt isolated. Social interaction was limited, leading to potential feelings of disconnect and a lack of community. | Social Interaction: Modern online learning platforms promote community through study groups, networking opportunities, and collaborative projects, helping to reduce feelings of isolation and fostering a support system among peers. |

Additional Questions and Discoveries

1. How have the demographics of online learners changed over the last decade?

   • The demographic landscape has shifted dramatically; now, online learners include not only adult professionals but also high school students, retirees, and learners from diverse geographical and socioeconomic backgrounds.

2. What role did the COVID-19 pandemic play in advancing online learning technologies?

   • The pandemic accelerated the adoption of online learning technologies, pushing institutions to innovate rapidly in order to maintain educational continuity.

Images

(Optional images can be added corresponding to each category to enhance the visual representation of the chart.)

Once you have formatted and filled in your chart with the provided data, save it as a PDF or JPEG and submit it as required.