Educational Tech Timeline

  • Launch of Apple iPad

    Launch of Apple iPad

    Introducing a new device to society was a game changer for evolutionary and educational technology. This was an interactive device that also had the ability to photo, record, have social media and online apps.
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    Educational Technology Timeline

  • INTED (International Technology, Education and Development Conference)

    INTED (International Technology, Education and Development Conference)

    Allowed for a wider range of knowledge online educationally, coming from all kinds of countries. This was important for Education Technology because it allowed for others to communicate and bounce ideas, resources, goods and more to one another.
  • Learning Through Video

    Learning Through Video

    Students appreciated that video allowed them to control their learning pace. They could pause, rewind, and re-watch complex sections as needed, which studies showed improved topic understanding and reduced course withdrawal rates, especially for struggling students. Videos provided an effective tutoring resource and a way to catch up on missed lectures.
  • Open Textbooks

    Open Textbooks

    Open textbooks provided openly licensed versions of bespoke written textbooks, free for the digital version. This was important for Education Technology because it allowed for easier access to textbooks, it wasn't using paper which is environment healthy, and it enhanced the way information could be learned.
  • Learning Analytics

    Learning Analytics

    Interest in analytics is driven by the increased amount of time that students spend in online learning environments, particularly LMSs and MOOCs.
  • Digital Badges

    Digital Badges

    They represent a combination of key challenges for educational technology such as: realizing easy-to-use, scalable technology; developing social awareness that gives them currency; and providing the policy and support structures that make them valuable.
  • 3D Printers

    3D Printers

    This technology continued to spark the imagination, with schools incorporating 3D printers into "makerspaces" for hands-on, cross-curricular projects. Following, I remember I took a middle school technology class that introduced 3D printing, and it was the coolest thing ever at the time. We learned how it printed, developed and why it was significant for our class.
  • Mobile Learning

    Mobile Learning

    Cloud-based platforms and tools, such as Google Classroom, were widely used to facilitate digital curricula, streamline assignments, and enable real-time collaboration among students and teachers.
  • Artificial Intelligence and Real-Time Feedback

    Artificial Intelligence and Real-Time Feedback

    Artificial intelligence (AI) started to assist with automation, particularly in assessment, to provide students with more immediate, real-time feedback on their work and help teachers identify struggling students faster.
  • School Safety and Security

    School Safety and Security

    Following the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting, technology for school safety and security became a major focus. This included social media monitoring, reporting apps, and enhanced communication systems.
  • Augmented Data Analysis

    Augmented Data Analysis

    AI-powered augmented analytics became a key trend, helping teachers interpret student data more effectively to personalize learning without needing extensive data analysis training.
  • Video Conferencing

    Video Conferencing

    Tools like Zoom and Microsoft Teams, originally designed for business, were quickly adopted and integrated with school systems to provide live, synchronous virtual classrooms. Features like breakout rooms, screen sharing, and digital whiteboards facilitated interaction and collaboration.