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From Post to Pixel: A Timeline of the Evolution of Online Learning

By Scottsagv
  • 1. Birth of Correspondence Education

    1. Birth of Correspondence Education

    Sir Isaac Pitman founded the first correspondence college in England, enabling distance learning via postal mail. Students learned independently with limited communication.
  • 2. Global Spread of Correspondence Learning

    2. Global Spread of Correspondence Learning

    By late 1800s, correspondence education expanded to Germany, Canada, U.S., Japan, Australia, and USSR, supported by rural mail delivery.
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    3. Educational Radio Era Begins

    Educational radio stations flourished; 200+ stations licensed. Ohio State's “School of the Air” launched in 1929.
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    5. Television in Education Takes Off

    Purdue and others experimented in the 1930s–40s; Iowa State launched first educational TV station in 1950. In 1951, Western Reserve offered credit courses via TV.
  • 4. Radio-Based Learning Phases Out

    4. Radio-Based Learning Phases Out

    Despite early promise, most educational radio initiatives ended by 1940.
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    6. Public TV for Education Grows

    U.S. reserved 242 channels for educational TV, boosting televised college credit and learning programs.
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    7. Satellite and Cable Education

    Distance learning used cable and satellite TV to reach learners in rural/remote areas.
  • 8. Rise of Computer-Mediated Learning

    8. Rise of Computer-Mediated Learning

    Introduction of computer-based instruction like PLATO system; laid the groundwork for digital learning.
  • 9. Two-Way Video Conferencing Begins

    9. Two-Way Video Conferencing Begins

    Real-time two-way interactive video systems enabled synchronous remote instruction.
  • 10. Internet Transforms Learning

    10. Internet Transforms Learning

    Explosion of online learning driven by internet and World Wide Web growth. Email, LMS, and forums became standard.
  • 11. Western Governors University Founded

    11. Western Governors University Founded

    A pioneering fully online, competency-based university launched to serve working adults.
  • 12. Blackboard Revolutionizes LMS

    12. Blackboard Revolutionizes LMS

    Blackboard Inc. launched, creating scalable, structured digital classrooms for higher ed institutions.
  • 13. MIT Launches OpenCourseWare

    13. MIT Launches OpenCourseWare

    MIT’s OCW project began offering free course materials globally, advancing open education.
  • 14. Rise of MOOCs

    14. Rise of MOOCs

    Coursera, edX, and Udacity popularize Massive Open Online Courses. 2012 marked the “Year of the MOOC.”
  • 15. Online Learning Goes Mainstream (COVID-19)

    15. Online Learning Goes Mainstream (COVID-19)

    Due to the pandemic, schools worldwide shifted online. Platforms like Zoom, Google Classroom became essential.
  • 16. Micro-credentials and AI Integration

    16. Micro-credentials and AI Integration

    Platforms like NEA launched stackable credentials; AI tools now assist in content delivery and assessment.