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First microcomputer brings computing from the scientific, mathematical domain to home, school, and work settings.
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Educational software introduced- Drill-and-practice educational software programs predominate.
Educational emphasis- Emphasis is placed on computer literacy: learning about technology. -
Hypermedia becomes readily accessible with the distribution of HyperCard software on Macintosh computers.
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IBM releases DOS-based computers and coins the term PC, or personal computer, the new concept in computer technology
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The computer is named Time magazine's "Person of the Year," the individual who has had the greatest impact on world events during the year.
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Logo programming gains acceptance in education as a means to address students' higher-order thinking and problem-solving skills.
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Standardized communications language, TCP/IP, enables communication between computers via network-the internet for the "common man" is born.
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Educational emphasis- Emphasis is placed on learning programming languages and using "programmed instruction" such as drill-and-practice software.
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Apple's Macintosh introduces the terms desktop and icon into everyday language and ushers in more variety in educational software.
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Multimedia PCs are developed; simulation software and gaming grow in popularity and complexity; educational databases and other types of digital media are available on CD-ROMs.
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Time Berners-Lee and Robert Cailliau began using hypertext to link different kinds of information as a web of nodes, which learners could access at will.
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Digital explosion-Technology tools grow at an exponential rate and become faster, smaller, and more powerful. Digital music, pictures, audio, video---applications of this new wave of technology---are virtually limitless. Educational emphasis- Emphasis is placed on information literacy; learning with computers. National education goals emphasize the acquisition of computer hardware and the development of network infrastructure.
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The release of Mosaic, a browser with a graphical user interface (GUI), changes the look of Internet communications. "Surfing the web" becomes commonplace.
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President Clinton's administration develops www.whitehouse.gov. This heralds a new frontier in website development, with an abundance of educational sites for children.
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Microsoft releases the Windows 95 operating system. Toy Story is released, the first feature-length movie that is entirely computer-generated.
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The first U.S. National Education Technology Plan is developed. Volunteers help wire local schools for Internet access and local area network (LAN) infrastructure.
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Educational emphasis-Emphasis is placed on ICT literacy: Foundational information, communication, and productivity skills remain consistent while tools continue to change. Technology becomes a tool for solving educational problems.
Emphasis is also placed on literacy with and through technology, using technology as a learning tool to enable students to master 21st-century skills such as critical thinking, complex problem solving, collaboration, and multimedia communication. -
Web 2.0- Teachers and students move from being consumers to becoming creators of online content using wikis, blogs, and other social networking tools. Anywhere/anytime learning-Teaching and learning move outside the classroom to include online and hybrid courses, delivered via learning management systems, as well as mobile learning opportunities using smartphones, netbooks, and tablet computers.
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A continued shift to accessing content on mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets was fueled in part by the release of the popular iPad tablet in 2010, with an increased interest in harnessing the power of devices connected through the Internet of Things (IoT) for educational purposes.
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Emphasis on harnessing the power of technology to enhance pedagogy- Anytime, anywhere access to learning materials increases potential for schools to offer blended learning, flipped classroom, and other similar models that combine online and face to face learning experiences. Competency-based models begin to replace the concept of "seat time," leveraging flexible access to personalized learning opportunities for students, leading to more student-driven curricula.
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In 2013, the Hour of Code organization (code.org) was established and dedicated to making computer programming accessible to all.
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STEM labs in schools begin to be used in support of the maker movement. U.S. President Barack Obama hosted a maker faire at the White House in 2014. Inexpensive digital tools for "tinkering" and programming, including microcontroller platforms, programmable robots, gaming platforms for kids, as well as 3-D printers, become prevalent. Increased emphasis on "design thinking" leads to the establishment of design labs in schools.
