Careers Past and Present
Introduction | The
Task | Resources | The
Process | Learning Advice| Conclusion
Introduction
Since the beginning of time, humanity has been adapting to evolving
class structures and divisions of labor. This has remained a necessary aspect
of life as people moved from hunting and gathering-based societies to settled
agrarian communities, and from farming towns to industrialized cities. As
societies continue to evolve, the ways people live, work, and play change
as well. The jobs your grandfathers and grandmothers had bear little resemblance
to the jobs that your grandchildren will have in the future. Now, more than
ever, it is important for you to understand how world events have an effect
on you and the way you will live your life in the future
.
Survey
- What kind of jobs did your great-grandparents have?
- What kind of jobs did/do your grandparents have?
- What kind of jobs did/do your parents have?
- What kinds of jobs do you think people will have in the future?
Discuss
- How have careers changed over time?
- Why were some jobs more important in the past?
The Task
Visit each link in the Resource Section below. Write a summary statement(s)
describing each site. Then, choose one trade from the Colonial era and one
career from the present. Compare and contrast the two jobs by answering
the set of questions listed below. From your responses, you will will develop
a comparison/contrast paragraph of analysis as your final product.
Resources
The Process
- Examine common jobs during the two time periods using the links provided
in the Resource Section above.
- Write a summary statement(s) describing each link on loose leaf paper
in ink using sentences.
- Next, choose a trade from colonial Virginia and one present day position.
- Compare/contrast the two jobs you have selected by answering the following
questions. Answer each question below on the same paper used for step 1.
Be sure to use sentences!
- What are/were the main duties of each job?
- How important is each job to the economy?
- What skills are needed for each job?
- What can you learn about the time period from each job?
- Using the information you have gathered, develop a comparison/contrast
paragraph analyzing the jobs you have researched. You must use the writing
process which includes a rough draft with corrections clearly marked and
a final copy. Use may use manuscript format or type your paper. Be sure
to follow the sample handout for comparison/contrast paragraph when developing
your paragraph.
Learning Advice
- Don't forget to use the BACK BUTTON ARROW to return to the Web Quest
page.
- Use the sample handout on comparison/contrast to develop your paragraph.
Conclusion
I hope you enjoyed "surfing the net". In the future, these
"surfing" skills will help you find career information to determine
openings and apply on-line for the position you want. Also, I hope you liked
using a variety of skills and activities during this project. Finally, to
receive credit for this activity, be sure to hand in your notes (questions
1 and 4) on loose leaf paper in ink and your comparison/contrast paragraph
(rough draft with corrections and good copy).
This page written by Kathy Fish-Gilbert
Last updated August 21, 1997
This page was adapted from Bernie
Dodge 's WebQuest_Template1.html
by Tom March
