From Letters to the Metaverse: A Journey Through the History of Distance Education to Digital Ecosystems

By thiagocabral
  • Sir Isaac Pitman offers shorthand courses by mail in the UK

    Sir Isaac Pitman offers shorthand courses by mail in the UK

    Considered the beginning of distance education
  • The Society to Encourage Studies at Home is founded in the U.S.

    The Society to Encourage Studies at Home is founded in the U.S.

    One of the first formal correspondence schools
  • Period: to

    1920s–1960s – Radio and Educational Television

  • Radio used for educational broadcasts in the U.S.

    Radio used for educational broadcasts in the U.S.

  • First educational radio transmissions in Brazil

    First educational radio transmissions in Brazil

  • Period: to

    Expansion of educational TV in countries like the U.S., Canada, France, and Japan

  • Founding of the Open University (UK), offering higher education via TV, radio, and mail

    Founding of the Open University (UK), offering higher education via TV, radio, and mail

  • Period: to

    1970s–1980s – Video Lessons and Early Computers

  • First televised courses in Brazil

    First televised courses in Brazil

  • Period: to

    1980s – Use of VHS tapes, CD-ROMs, and early educational software

  • Creation of the University of the Air in Japan, a distance university using TV and radio

  • Period: to

    1990s – The Rise of the Internet and Virtual Platforms

  • São Paulo's Virtual University (Univesp) initiative begins

  • Launch of Blackboard and Moodle, leading virtual learning environments (VLEs)

  • Brazil establishes the Distance Education Secretariat (CAPES)

  • Period: to

    2000s – Online Learning Becomes Mainstream

  • Brazil's Decree 5.622 regulates distance learning in higher education

  • Widespread adoption of VLEs in universities and schools

  • First MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) appear

  • Introduction of gamification and augmented reality in learning

  • Period: to

    2010s–2020 – AI, Gamification, and Remote Learning

  • Rapid growth of MOOCs: Coursera, edX, Udacity

  • COVID-19 pandemic triggers a global shift to remote learning via Zoom, Google Meet, etc.

    COVID-19 pandemic triggers a global shift to remote learning via Zoom, Google Meet, etc.

  • Period: to

    2021–Present – AI, Metaverse, and Digital Learning Ecosystems

  • Launch of Metaverse-based educational projects

    Launch of Metaverse-based educational projects

    Meta for Education, Roblox Education

  • Rise of AI tools in education

  • Integration of digital ecosystems: learning analytics, personalized content, microlearning, VR/AR platforms