20 Things That Have Changed Since 2001

It's no secret that the world has certainly changed drastically in the past 20 years due to advances in technology. When PA Virtual first opened its doors in 2001, many things were different than they are now in 2020. As part of our 20th anniversary celebration, we thought it would be a fun idea to reflect back on the past 20 years and how the world has evolved since we starting educating students online in 2001. Here's a list of 20 things that have changed since 2001.

1. We no longer need to memorize phone numbers since the information can be stored in our cell phones.

2. We rent movies from home for instant access instead of going to a movie rental store, such as Blockbuster.

3. We take photos with our phones instead of cameras.

4. We can receive our bills online rather than by mail.

5. We can read books with a Kindle or reader rather than paperback.

6. We plug our phones into the car for music rather than listening to a CD.

7. We use apps on our phones to direct us places instead of using a print-out map.

8. We are able to see what celebrities and our loved ones are up to in real-time with social media apps like Facebook and Instagram.

9. We can use electricity to power our cars.

10. We can stream live TV with various streaming services available.

11. We can talk on the phone with family and friends with a visual component by using apps like FaceTime.

12. We use banking apps on our phone to pay and receive money.

13. Cars no longer come with cassette decks.

14. Floppy disks have become obsolete.

15. YouTube has become the second largest search engine in the world, right behind Google.

16. Netflix has evolved from a DVD rental service to one of the most popular video streaming services.

17. The DVR has caused the death of appointment TV.

18. Cell phones and voicemails are used much more than phone landlines and answering machines.

19. Texting and messenger apps like WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger have replaced the need for AOL Instant Messenger.

20. Our office workspaces are no longer limited to a cubicle in a company building. More people work remotely and many people have incorporated standing desks.
    
    

Can you think of other things that have changed since 2001, the year PA Virtual opened? Let us know in the comments below!

Since many aspects of our lives have changed, so has the way students learn in the 21st century. Online learning has become much more common in the past 2 decades, and we are dedicated to continuously improving our model by using innovative technologies to provide our students with the best quality education.

If you're interested in learning more about PA Virtual and how we have been serving Pennsylvania students for the past 20 years, you can request more information here.