A Brief History of Educational Technology

The hornbook was used in England for study.

The first major book was printed in Europe, the Gutenberg Bible.

The chalkboard was introduced into the classroom.

Popularized around 1870, the magic lantern was used to project images on glass plates. The predecessor to the modern projector.

The first American wood pencils were made.

Stereoscope image viewers were created.

A prototype of the Kinetoscope was revealed to the world. Predecessor to the movie projector.

The radio was first used by Haaren High School in New York City in the classroom for teaching.

By the 1960s, overhead projectors were commonly used in schools.

First commercial typewriters became available. Prelude to word processors.

Closed circuit television was first used for learning in Los Angeles public schools and at the State University of Iowa.

Teaching machines were introduced to provide pre-programmed instruction.

Computers were first used in the classroom for instruction and learning in the 1960s.

PLATO, a computer-assisted instruction system was in place at nearly 150 grammar schools, high schools, colleges and universities, and military installations.

By the 21st century, the Internet became a staple to educational technology allowing students to learn online.

Lancastrian method of teaching with a teacher and 'monitors'.