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Timeline of Online Education Evolution

  • Correspondence Courses

    Correspondence Courses

    Beginning in 1728, Correspondence Courses brought remote education into existence. Although these methods of instruction were not widely used until the 1800's, they were in their beginning stages in Massachustus,1728. Correspondence Courses were one way educational courses designed to give people the ability to learn from remote areas.
  • First Remote Institution

    First Remote Institution

    Wolsey Hall becomes the first institution that is established to be entirely dedicated to remote education. They were located in Oxford, UK.
  • Invention of Educational Radio Stations

    Invention of Educational Radio Stations

    In November 2nd, 1920, 200 American radio stations began to broadcast educational information. This increased ease of access and made it easier for more people to participate. At this time, engagement was still one sided.
  • Educational Television

    Educational Television

    First television educational courses pioneered by the City of Chicago. Students were able to achieve degrees and other certifications through this format of education. Television opened up many doors for brining in far more engaging material and methods of teaching.
  • Telecourses and Two-Way Interactive Video Systems

    Telecourses and Two-Way Interactive Video Systems

    In 1970, two-way interactive videos known as telecourses began to be available to the public. Videotex, for example, allowed students to interact with their instructors and communicate from a distance. This change greatly increased the capabilities of remote education. At this point, we can begin to see the online education system that we utilize today.
  • Birth of the Internet

    Birth of the Internet

    In 1983, the internet became available to the public. By 1996, it was widely available. The internet opened to flood gates for online education as we see it today. Although websites and systems were not as functional as today, people were finally capable of receiving a well rounded education online.
  • First Online University

    First Online University

    University of Phoenix's becomes the first online university. They offered both Undergraduate and Masters programs for their students. This was the beginning of the framework of online schooling that we still use today.
  • The Dawn of Artificial Intelligence

    The Dawn of Artificial Intelligence

    In 2022, we saw the dawn of AI. AI is new and mysterious, but it has already opened many doors for education. AI has greatly increase ease of access and made administrative tasks easier for educators. AI is also a powerful learning tool on its own. The future will likely hold big changes because of AI, and it will surely be one of the most important additions to the history of online education.