Find a partner. One person has the year 1980 and one person has the current year. Use the Internet to research all of the technologies available during your year. Make a list of your findings. You and your partner will then compare your lists. Talk about the changes that have occurred since 1980. Circle the technologies that you feel have made the greatest impact on life in the United States. Discuss why this is true. Be prepared to report your findings to the class.

Get started by trying this totally fun interactive site from PBS.org (Technology at Home, A Science Odyssey "You Try It,") that demonstrates the changes that have occurred with technologies in your home.

Computer Skills mini-posters and activity sheets designed and created by Kay Wheeler, Computer Coordinator for Harnett County Schools, and reviewed by Martha Campbell, NC Department of Public Instruction, then converted to HTML by Judy Monroe, graphic artist and Webmaster.