History of Distance Education

By jhood1@crh.org
  • Stenographic practices brought to US by Pitman Shorthand training program

    Stenographic practices brought to US by Pitman Shorthand training program

    This training program used the USPS and self-taught secretaries to mail their exercises.
  • Correspondence University was established in Ithaca, NY.

    Correspondence University was established in Ithaca, NY.

  • International Correspondence Schools (ICS)

    International Correspondence Schools (ICS)

    Provided instruction for women and early distance learning to the Colliery School of Mines to teach mine safety.
  • DE achieved academic recognition

    DE achieved academic recognition

    University of Chicago created first college-level distance learning program.

  • First educational radio license

    The was granted to the University of Salt Lake City, University of Wisconsin, and University of Minnesota.
  • Over 10% of all broadcast radio stations were owned by educational institutions which delivered educational programs.

    Over 10% of all broadcast radio stations were owned by educational institutions which delivered educational programs.

    Radio paved the way for DE opportunities through TV technology.
  • National Home Study Council was created.

    National Home Study Council was created.

    This was created to monitor and ensure quality control.
  • The Fair-Trade Practice Rules for Home Schools were developed.

    The Fair-Trade Practice Rules for Home Schools were developed.

    This was developed by the National Home Study Council.
  • Use of TV as an instructional medium.

    Use of TV as an instructional medium.

    University of Iowa broadcast courses by TV.

  • ITFS Licensing used for the first time at California State University

  • FCC created the Instructional TV Fixed Service (ITFS).

    The ITFS is a band of 20 TV channels available to educational institutions at a low cost, fixed range, subscriber-based system capable of being utilized for the distribution of broadcast courses.
  • Articulated Instruction Media Project (AIM) was introduced.

    Articulated Instruction Media Project (AIM) was introduced.

    University of Wisconsin was funded by Carnegie Corporation to study AIM Project- This project was the first attempt to Identify, categorize, and systemize DL practices.
  • Public Broadcasting Act was established.

    Public Broadcasting Act was established.

    US boosted its commitment to DL with the creation of this act.
  • CPB negotiated with AT&T to interconnect 140 stations- Creating the first true national public TV system.

    CPB negotiated with AT&T to interconnect 140 stations- Creating the first true national public TV system.

  • British Open University was introduced.

    British Open University was introduced.

    Today this University provides 21% of all higher education in England.
  • First fully televised college courses were created, licensed, and implemented.

    First fully televised college courses were created, licensed, and implemented.

  • The microprocessor was created.

    The microprocessor was created.

    The microprocessors were created by Intel Corporation.

  • Germany was introduced in the mix of DL.

  • First computer Bulletin Board System (BBS) was established.

    First computer Bulletin Board System (BBS) was established.

    The computer was the missing piece to the puzzle that would facilitate free flow if information from teacher to learner and introduce the recent missing interpersonal aspects of communication.

  • The first state educational satellite system Learn/Alaska was created.

  • National University Teleconferencing Network (NTU) introduced satellites to transmit programs to its 40 institutional members.

    National University Teleconferencing Network (NTU) introduced satellites to transmit programs to its 40 institutional members.

  • NTU offered online degree courses in both continuing and graduate courses using satellite transmission..

    These students were FT employees at corporations and labs throughout the US. The instructional needs of working professionals combined with technology to further the development of the DE business.
  • The information superhighway was born. World Wide Web provided a potential linkage for all the computers in the world.

    The information superhighway was born. World Wide Web provided a potential linkage for all the computers in the world.

    World Wide Web was developed by Tim Berner-Lee
  • Distance Learning Education Demonstration was established by the U.S. Department of Education.

    Distance Learning Education Demonstration was established by the U.S. Department of Education.

  • Handbook of Distance Education was written.

    Handbook of Distance Education was written.

    This was written by Michael Grahame Moore and co-edited with Greg Kearsley.
  • WebCT and Blackboard merged to become the leading provider of enterprise software applications and related services to the educational industry.

    WebCT and Blackboard merged to become the leading provider of enterprise software applications and related services to the educational industry.

  • Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCS) came into practice.

    Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCS) came into practice.

  • Covid 19 Pandemic almost normalizes Distance Education

    Covid 19 Pandemic almost normalizes Distance Education