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Television
Television was first used in education in the 1960s, for schools, and for general adult education. It was used for educational programs to add value to the classrooms.
https://opentextbc.ca/teachinginadigitalage/chapter/section-8-1-a-short-history-of-educational-technology/ -
Overhead Projector
Introduced in 1962 by 3M who was a major manufacturer, overhead projectors became a mainstay in classrooms through the 1990s.
Educators thoroughly embraced overhead projectors as it was used as visual aid that facilitated illustrations, diagrams and pictures.
https://edtechmagazine.com/k12/article/2017/02/3m-overhead-projectors-began-new-era-classroom-visual-aids -
Plato computer based education system
PLATO (Programmed Logic for Automated Teaching Operations) originated in the early 1960s as a distributed computer-based learning system m. This system allowed instructors to design instructional material at the same time students are studying lessons.
https://distributedmuseum.illinois.edu/exhibit/plato/ -
IBM Magnetic Tape / Selectric Typewriter
In 1964 IBM introduced the Magnetic Tape/Selectric Typewriter (MT/ST). The machine uses a tape, where information could be stored, replayed, corrected, reprinted and then erased and reused for other projects. Teachers and students used this machine to type documents and present assignments. https://www.historyofinformation.com/detail.php?id=819 -
First Handheld Calculator
The first handheld calculator developed by Texas Instrument had an integrated circuit and was battery-powered, but still performed all necessary calculator functions. Its prototype was called the “Cal Tech”. It could add, multiply, subtract, and divide, and could print 12 digit numbers on a thermal printer. https://www.autodesk.com/products/eagle/blog/first-electronic-calculator/ -
Emails
Developed by Ray Tomlinson in 1971, it allows for information to be transferred from one system to another. It proved to be so beneficial and practical that the concept soon began to spread and has since become more complexed with internal networks and protocols for sending messages. E-mail is a customizable, fast, economic, and effective communication channel that is used to communicate with students, among students, teachers, parents, guardians, administrators, and others. -
Floppy disks
The floppy disk was a storage medium that enabled people to share data and programs more easily by loading software and updates. It was used by students to save assignments and submit it to educators to read and grade on his/her personal computer. It allowed for the easy transfer of data and programs from one machine to another.
https://www.ibm.com/ibm/history/ibm100/us/en/icons/floppy/transform/#:~:text=The%20first%20floppy%20disk%20was%20introduced%20in%201971. -
Scantron
The Scantron system of testing was introduced in 1972. It was used by educators to grade multiple-choice tests more quickly and efficiently. All they had to do was put answer sheets into the machine.
https://online.purdue.edu/blog/education/evolution-technology-classroom -
Handheld Programmable Calculator
Developed in 1974, by Hewlett-Packard, it is a more compact programmable device. It was designed to assist in repeated calculations required in such disciplines as science, engineering, finance, statistic, mathematics, navigation, medicine and surveying. Used by teachers and students to work out complex series of commands and calculations.
https://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/object-groups/handheld-electronic-calculators -
Personal Computer / PC
Since its inception, the portable computer became a valuable learning tool and is widely used in the education system and all other sectors of society. It allows teachers and students to perform a variety of tasks using instructional software designed for teaching and learning. The PC has since developed over the years with two systems being popular, the desktop PC and portable Laptop.
https://online.purdue.edu/blog/education/evolution-technology-classroom -
CD ROM
A CD ROM Drive is a compact disk that enabled persons to save a whole encyclopedia on one disk. That is one of the many reasons it eventually took over for floppy disks. CDs are still used in many classrooms today for published e-books, digital textbooks, and resources for teachers and students as well as a means of saving and uploading information.
https://www.gradschools.com/degree-guide/technology-in-the-classroom-timeline-curriculum-planning -
Microsoft operating systems
Officially launched in 1990 when Microsoft introduced the earliest version of the Office suite of productivity application software that allows a computer to operate. Microsoft has since launched different versions of Microsoft Office operating systems over the years with the latest being Windows 10. Microsoft operating systems are useful for teachers and students as features such as word processors, spreadsheets, databases, and other office applications have improved productivity in education. -
Interactive smart board
A SMART Board is a device that is used to replace the standard whiteboard in your everyday classroom. The SMART Board is a device that interacts hand–in–hand with computer software. It is a classroom tool that allows images from a computer screen to be displayed on a classroom board using a digital projector. The teacher or a student can “interact” with the images directly on the screen using a tool or even a finger.
https://www.techwalla.com/articles/what-is-the-history-of-the-smart-board -
Personal Digital Assistants
The first Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) were released by Apple Computer Inc. in 1993. A personal digital assistant is a handheld organizer used by teachers to store contact information, manage calendars, communicate by e-mail, store teaching notes, and handle documents and spreadsheets. It can be used together with personal computers. -
World Wide Web
The internet wasn’t available to the general public until 1993. At that time, all connections were dial-up which used the telephone line to connect. Now with high-speed internet, teachers and students can use the World Wide Web to access information, do research and connect to others. Teachers can do a quick search on any preferred web browser and find a wealth of resources at their fingertips.
https://www.gradschools.com/degree-guide/technology-in-the-classroom-timeline-curriculum-planning -
Learning management Systems
The development of the first learning management systems (LMSs) began in 1995 with the use of the world wide web and personal computers. LMS’s provide an online teaching environment, where content can be loaded and organized, as well as providing ‘spaces’ for learning objectives, student activities, assignments, questions, and discussion forums.
https://opentextbc.ca/teachinginadigitalage/chapter/section-8-1-a-short-history-of-educational-technology/ -
Google
The Google search engine was the initial product but now the company offers other services designed for work and productivity (Google Docs, Google Sheets, Google Slides, Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Drive, Meet, Google maps, Google photos, etc.) Google.com is the most visited website worldwide. Google plays an important role in education by enhancing the efficiency and productivity of teachers and students with its apps and services. -
USB Flash Drives
The USB, or Universal Serial Bus, was first patented in 1999 and is known as a thumb drive, flash drive, pen drive, memory stick, etc. USB drives are used to store and share information and can have many different storage capacities. Teachers and students use it to store data, quickly download or upload data, share information, resources and assignments. This allows information to be shared and transferred without the use of a network.
https://mediafast.com/history-of-the-flash-drive/ -
Social Media
Sites like MySpace and LinkedIn gained prominence in the early 2000s, and by 2006, Facebook and Twitter both became available to users throughout the world. These sites remain some of the most popular social networks on the Internet.
Social media in education allows for communication and collaboration and allows for students and teachers to connect with learning groups and other educational systems.
https://smallbiztrends.com/2013/05/the-complete-history-of-social-media-infographic.html -
YouTube
YouTube is a video-sharing service, where users can watch, like, share, comment, and upload their own videos. The video service can be accessed on PCs, laptops, tablets, and mobile phones. It created an entirely new way for people to communicate and share with each other across great distances. Teachers use YouTube videos in classrooms and in eLearning to enhance the learning experience.
https://www.webwise.ie/parents/what-is-youtube/ -
Cloud storage
Cloud storage is a remote database used to store information and made accessible at any time via the internet. There are several free cloud computing services offered with upgraded subscription packages that offer larger storage sizes. It is used by educators and students to back-up data securely, and access it anytime from any location, and facilitates easy sharing with those who are granted permission. -
E Reader / Kindle / E-Book
The concept of e-book and e-reader became popular in the U.S. in 2007. It is similar to the PDA and brings flexibility to the classroom as it does not require a constant internet connection. It has many features that enhance the learning experience such as annotation tools, bookmarks, hyperlinks, dictionaries, and a search feature. The use of e-books by teachers and students positively impacts the quality of education and makes the learning process interactive and engaging. -
Tablets / IPADS
Tablets and IPADS became prominent in education around 2010. Tablets and IPADS can be used as learning tools since many educational apps can be downloaded to them. It engages and motivates learners and allows for interaction. Teachers are able to track students’ progress with the integration of various apps and LMSs and can adapt their teaching style to suit the needs of individual students, allowing for innovation.
https://educationbusinessuk.net/features/impact-tablets-classroom -
Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs)
MOOCs are online courses available to anyone with a computer and Internet connection. It creates a learning community that provides an affordable and flexible way for students to learn new skills. The courses were open to anyone and are usually loosely structured and can be accessed without paying tuition or committing to an academic program.
https://tophat.com/glossary/m/mooc/ -
Google Classroom
It was introduced as a feature of Google Apps for Education following its public release. Google Classroom is a blended learning platform for schools that aims to simplify creating, distributing, and grading assignments in an entirely electronic format. Google Classroom simplifies teaching and learning as it enables teachers to create and organize assignments quickly, provide feedback efficiently, and easily communicate with their classes.
https://edu.google.com/products/classroom/ -
Microsoft Teams
A collaborative workspace within Microsoft 365/Office 365 with built-in Office 365 apps like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; host audio and video conferences; and communicate via group chat, online meetings, and web conferencing. Used by educators and students as a medium for facilitating online learning, virtual conversations, collaborative teamwork, video chats, and document sharing to aid in productivity.
https://news.microsoft.com/announcement/teams-platform-introduced/ -
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming increasingly popular in the 2020 decade and can have a huge impact on the education industry. It can quite helpful to teachers in automating tasks including administrative work, evaluation, and grading. It can also improve the efficiency and personalization of learning tasks for students. AI has the potential to transform how our education system operates, heighten the competitiveness of institutions, and empower teachers and learners of all abilities. -
Virtual Reality Headsets
Although initially used in gaming systems, Virtual Reality headsets became increasingly popular in Education in 2020 and it seems to be the next step to the evolution of education. It can transform the way educational content is delivered and can be used to enhance student learning and engagement.
https://xd.adobe.com/ideas/principles/emerging-technology/virtual-reality-will-change-learn-teach/
