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In my research of the evolution of online learning I recognized that there are discrepancies determining the origins of distance learning, However, there are documented and physical evident of its evolution through the years. Here is a look at some major occurrences and dates in the evolution of distance learning. -
The signing of the University of London’s fourth Charter by Queen Victoria in 1858 opened up the University of London degree to all those who could fulfil its entry requirements and pay its fees. In 1858 we became the birthplace of long-distance learning, allowing students to study for degrees outside of London, spreading higher education across the globe. (Admin, 2019). -
Online learning is a descendent of distance education. Online education has a shared history with correspondence learning. In 1873, Anna Eliot Ticknor founded the Society to Encourage Studies at Home. Ticknor's Society established one of America’s first correspondence schools, a distance learning option conducted through the mail. (CARUTH, & CARUTH, 2013). -
The University of Queensland in Australia then founded its Department of Correspondence Studies in 1911, which also relied on Australia’s postal system. The difficulty with these methods, however, was that they are one-way forms of communication. Pupils were not able to ask the professors questions or interact with other students, because everything was broadcasted directly to them. (History of Online Education) -
The introduction of the radio allowed universities to broadcast information and courses to students. According to this infographic, in 1922, “Pennsylvania State College became the first college to broadcast courses across radio networks.” About a decade later, the University of Iowa followed suit, becoming the “first university to employ television as a learning tool” (aka Distance Learning). https://sites.google.com/site/distanceedtimeline/home/1922 -
The University of South Africa is known as one of the world's open distance learning mega colleges. The South Africa has become a champion and innovator of distance learning in 1946 when they reshaped its mission to teach exclusively by means of distance education. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_South_Africa) -
In 1953 the University of House made distance learning history when it began offering the first televised college classes on KUHT (today called Houston PBS), which was the first public television station in the United States. Referring to itself as the “The Channel That Changes You”, KUHT ran 13-5 hours of educational material each week, using 38% of the channel's broadcast time. Many of the courses aired in the evening so that learners who worked during the day had time to view the material. -
In 1956, “Chicago public television station WTTW, in partnership with the local Board of Education, televises college courses for credit; over 15,000 students enroll in 5 years. -
The technology boom of the mid-1980s is most remembered for the first personal computer, but that era also saw another important creation: online learning.
‘82. The Western Behavioral Sciences Institute uses computer conferencing for distance education
‘83. Ron Gordon, Atari's former pres., launches Electronic University Network making online courses
‘85. Nova SW University in Fort Lauderdale-Davie, Florida, creates the first electronic classroom -
The National Science Foundation Network (NSFNET) launches the first open computer network — a precursor to the internet — allowing institutions to create and distribute electronic information. -
1993- Jones International University opens in Centennial, Colorado, becoming the first fully web-based, accredited university. 1994- CALCampus introduces the first online-only curriculum with real-time instruction and participation — i.e., synchronous learning. 1995- Nineteen U.S. governors found Western Governors University to help Western states maximize educational resources through distance learning.
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California Virtual University — a consortium of California colleges offering around 700 online classes — opens. -
-Satellite virtual classrooms, mobile telephones, videoconferencing, and the Internet expanded expands online learning.
-The Interactive Learning Network (ILN) is created the first eLearning platform.
-Blackboard Inc., a content management system is created to manage online courses.
The personal computer w/ internet capabilities is invented to revolutionize distance education.
University of Phoenix is the first institution w/ fully online college w/ both bachelors & master’s degrees. -
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) launches the OpenCourseWare Project worldwide. WebCT had over 6 million students & 40,000 instructors teaching 150,000 courses per year at 1,350 institutions in 55 countries. President Barack Obama pledged $500 million in federal funds for the creation of new online courses and materials Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs), a free online course resource, enabling learners to take classes asynchronously at their own pace
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The coronavirus pandemic forced students & educators across all levels of education to rapidly adapt to online learning. The impact of this could permanently change how education is delivered. The year 2020 has also seen increased availability and adoption of electronic resources and activities integrated into online learning experiences. Synchronous online conferencing systems, such as Zoom & Google Meet, allows online presentations to be given and joined from anywhere worldwide. . -
The COVID-19 pandemic forces nearly every k12, college and university to switch to online learning rather than hold classes in person.