The History of Learning Management Systems

  • The Teaching Machine was invented by Sidney L. Pressey

    The Teaching Machine was invented by Sidney L. Pressey

    This machine required learners to drill answers to questions in, and they would not be permitted to move on without getting the answer correct. This concept is still used in most learning management systems today.
  • The Problem Cylinder was invented by Milton Ezra LeZerte

    The Problem Cylinder was invented by Milton Ezra LeZerte

    This device provided instruction without the need for a teacher's input. It tested students on multiple choice questions and graded the responses.
    Photo Credit: https://images.app.goo.gl/8fummcs7sLbUsded8
  • Building Blocks

    The teaching machine and the problem cylinder were the first things teachers could use that graded themselves and allowed students to do a little bit of self paced learning. These are the building blocks of ideas for what we think of when we talk about Learning Management Systems.
  • The first school from home was invented

    Learners who attended the University of Houston could watch lectures live on TV at night so that it did not interfere with work.
  • SAKI was invented

    SAKI (Self- Adaptive Keyboard Instructor) was the first program that gave personalized questions based on the student's performances.
  • PLATO was found

    PLATO was a self paced computer program in which users could communicate with each other while in the course.
  • The first calculator machine

    This machine laid the foundation to the ways today's LMS are connected.
  • Moodle

    Moodle allowed students to download content and start working as soon as it was on their computer. These were completely self paced courses
  • Period: to

    Today's LMS

    These events led up to the beginning of what we now know LMS to be. Canvas, Blackboard, Google Classroom, and more are now the standard for most universities and even in secondary education