Chatbots Through Time

This worksheet is designed for students in Grades 6-8 to strengthen reading comprehension, analytical thinking, and digital literacy by comparing early and modern chatbot technology. Students read an informational passage about the 1960s chatbot ELIZA and today’s conversational AI, such as ChatGPT, then analyze how language models have changed in complexity, accuracy, data use, and purpose over time.

Learning Goals

• Compare & Contrast Informational Texts (Grades 6-8) – Identify similarities and differences between early and modern chatbots.
• Understanding AI Evolution – Explain how advances in data, computing power, and algorithms shaped conversational AI.
• Digital Literacy Awareness – Recognize the capabilities and limitations of different AI systems across time periods.
• Analytical & Reflective Thinking – Reflect on how early innovations influenced today’s AI communication tools.

Instructional Benefits

• Teacher-Created Resource – Designed by educators to align with middle school ELA and technology standards.
• Clear Comparison Focus – Guides students to analyze accuracy, understanding, and technological limits.
• Historical Context Building – Connects past innovations to modern AI applications.
• Flexible Use – Ideal for STEM integration, history of computing units, guided reading, or written reflection.

This printable worksheet helps students understand how conversational AI has evolved from simple rule-based systems to advanced language models. By comparing ELIZA with modern chatbots, learners strengthen comprehension, critical reasoning, and digital literacy skills while gaining insight into technological change over time. Suitable for classroom or homeschool use, this no-prep activity supports thoughtful analysis of AI development and its impact on communication.

This worksheet is part of our History of AI collection.