Timeline: History of Educational Technology by Ece Aslı Çalışır

403 BCE

Oral Communication

Before the invention of writing and clay tablets, people communicated and spread knowledge through oral communication. Poems, songs, legends, and myths were carried from one to another, and ıt was the way of education for ancient people.

402 BCE

Written Communication

What was carried with oral communication was finally recorded by scholars with the help of clay tablets. Papers and books followed the clay tablets. With the invention of press machines, books, and knowledge spread way faster. Information and education became more common and accessible.

401 BCE

Written Sources and Schools

Education in ancient Greece during the 5th century BC was rather innovative. Although aristocrats were the only ones who can be a part of it, schools existed in ancient Greece. There were sources such as wax or clay tablets and pens. These sources helped people to share and keep their knowledge.

1440

Invention of Printing Press

Johannes Gutenberg invented the movable-type printing press, aiding education as well as starting the Printing Revolution.

1701

Blackboards

Blackboards took their place in classrooms in the 18th century. They were mainly used for military purposes before being used for education.

1858

Improvements in Transport Infrastructure

Transportation improvements helped build formal correspondence in universities. For example, the University of London made an external degree program with the aid of correspondence in 1858.

1923

Broadcasting and Video

Innovations such as radio and television also took their place in education. Educational broadcasts and television programs made education easier and more accessible. It was also a new way to learn. Learning by watching or listening was taking place in learning. Recorded course videos and lectures on platforms such as Youtube are still popular and in use.

1924

Use of Radio

The usage of radio began with the BBC's radio broadcast in 1924.

1953

The Era of Computer Technologies

The Era of Computer Technologies
Computers, the internet, and programs began to take place in our lives. This era continues and improves day by day. From the first computer to MOOCs, these technological advancements improved the learning process. Today we use phones, tablets, and laptops and carry learning places everywhere we go. With the help of spesific programs such as Google Classroom and Microsoft Teams, we promote what we learned in classroom.

1954

Teaching Machines, Computers, and AI

B. F. Skinner made a teaching machine in 1954. It was a box with a wheel that had questions and answers written on it. Later, in the late 1970s, the University of Illinois made a computer called PLATO. Following computer technology, the story of artificial intelligence (AI) started in the mid-1980s.

1970

Prints and the Open University

in the 1970s, the Open University prepared printed materials specified in aiding learning. They made illustrated high-quality course materials. As an example, today we order textbooks for learning in the same way.

1970

Television and Satellite

International agencies tried to educate developing countries with television in 1970s but failed due to the lack of materials. Later, after satellite broadcasting started in 1980s, universities gave lectures on TV and faced the same problems. On the other hand, India managed to continue educating through television.

1970

Computer-mediated Communication

Murray Turoff and Roxanne Hiltz created computer-mediated communication system (CMC) which included both classroom materials and online forums.

1983

Web-based Learning Management Systems

LMS also known as Learning Management System was created in 1983 by Phil Bookman and Rich Silton. This technology expanded into Learning Portal and helped education through all generations.
LMSs also made it possible to create online learning spaces that include many tools. The first completely online lessons also used LMSs.

1990

Videos, Digital Tools and High-speed Internet

The 1990s came with improvements such as high-speed internet and many digital features that eased the video creation and distribution process. These technologies improved online education. For instance, The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) shared class records online.

1991

Worldwide Web, Mosaic, and Google

Worldwide Web in 1991, the first web browser Mosaic in 1993, and the most popular browser Google became available in 1999. With the base created by the web, browsers eased learners' life.

2005

Youtube and Apple

Youtube opened in 2005, and Apple followed it in 2007. Although today we use these platforms to reach almost anything, they're being used in education too. For instance, Khan Academy shared lectures on Youtube. Apple made a space for digital sources in a place called iTunesU.

2008

Massive Open Online Course (MOOC)

MOOC technology was first introduced in 2008. The aim of this online course was unlimited attendance and open access. It made education more and more accessible.

Oct 23, 2022