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Historical Events in the Development of the field of Instructional Technology

  • School Musuems

    School Musuems
    First school musuem was opened in St. Louis in 1905. Materials here were used as supplementary materials.
  • The Visual Instruction Movement and Instructional Films

    The Visual Instruction Movement and Instructional Films
    There was increasing interest in using media in schools. During this year the public schools of Rochester, New York became the first to utilze films for teaching instructions.
  • The Audiovisual Instruction Movement and Instructional Radio

    The Audiovisual Instruction Movement and Instructional Radio
    During the 1920s -1930s technological advances such as the radio, sound recordings and sound motion pictures led to more interest in instructional media. The Department of Visual Instruction (DVI now known AECT) was created as the leading authority for instructional design and technology.
  • World War II

    World War II
    The Federal Government established the division of visual aids for war training. Between 1941 and 1945 over 457 training films were produced and used to train military personnel within a short period of time.
  • Instructional Television

    Instructional Television
    The increased interest in television as a medium for delivering instruction causes the Federal Communications Commission to set aside 242 television channels for eductional purposes.
  • Sputnik: The Indirect Launching of Formative Eveluation

    Sputnik: The Indirect Launching of Formative Eveluation
    After the Soviet Union launched Sputnik, the 1st orbiting space satellite the US government responded by pouring millions of dollars into improving math and science education in the US.
  • Computers for Instructional Purposes

    Computers for Instructional Purposes
    In the 1950s IBM creates the 1st Computer-assisted instructions (CAI) to be used in public schools. In 1983 computers are used for instructional purposes in 40% of elementary schools and 75% of secondary schools in the US. Excitement over the personal computer led to the increased use of PC for instructional purposes.
  • Recognizing the Importance of Performance

    Recognizing the Importance of Performance
    In the 1990s a major impact that affected the movement was the need to improve human performance with respect to business sectors and employee performance problems.
  • Recent Developments

    Recent Developments
    An increase in computers and digital technology has led to a rapid increase interest in and the use of these media for use in instructional purposes. In 2010 50% of college staff utilzed social media as tool for giving learning instructions.