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Period: to
1970s and 1980s
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Handheld Calculator
Texas Instruments invented the handheld calculator in 1967, but the device did not become commercially available for schools to purchase until the mid 1970s. The calculator has had a major effect on how students process mathematical and scientific learning opportunities. http://www.ti.com/corp/docs/company/history/timeline/eps/1960/docs/67-handheld_calc_invented.htm -
Project Gutenberg
Project Gutenberg was begun in 1971 after Micheal Hart invented one of the earliest "E-books". Hart created a digital copy of the Declaration of Independence in late-1970. Project Gutenberg was developed to help support and expand the number of books available digitally. The resulting distribution of these books evolved into the many titles available in schools today.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/09/business/michael-hart-a-pioneer-of-e-books-dies-at-64.html?_r=0 -
Oregon Trail Game
Originally developed by Don Rawitsch, Bill Heinemann, and Paul Dillenberger in 1971 and produced by the Minnesota Educational Computing Consortium (MECC) in 1974, Oregon Trail was the first learning software title. The original game was created to teach students about the hardships of pioneering the western United States in the 19th century. The game is still being used as an educational tool well into the 21st century and helped to spark the entire educational software market. -
Scantron Machines
Scantron Corporation was created by William Sanders in 1972. Even though other Optical Mark Recognition systems existed, Scantron made the machines inexpensive and available to schools. This development profoundly changed the assessment aspects of education by providing a quicker and more precise way of grading. http://mentalfloss.com/article/31057/pencils-down-scantron-inventor-michael-sokolski-has-died -
E-mail
Ray Tomilinson creates the first software that allows emails to be sent between computers. This has allowed educators to communicate more effectively and all around the world! http://www.anderbergfamily.net/ant/history/ -
Ethernet Invented
Ethernet was created by Robert Metcalfe. This wiring allows local area networking and is still widely used today. It has changed the way educators share data.
http://www.pcworld.com/article/2039241/40-years-ago-ethernets-fathers-were-the-startup-kids.html -
Apple 2 computer
The Apple 2 computer was introduced into schools in the late 1970's. It was designed by Steve Wozniak and development was managed by Steve Jobs. Programs were available on this computer for educational purposes and is one of the longest running home computer that has been produced. http://www.indiana.edu/~idt/shortpapers/documents/ITduring20.html -
CD-ROM
James Russell invented the CD-ROM. Computers can read CD-ROM's but they cannot write to them. They have been important for sharing software for computers and for educational video gaming.
http://www.research.philips.com/technologies/projects/cd/cd-family.html -
Microsoft Windows
Windows was introduced by Microsoft in 1985. This allowed personal computers to have a graphical user interface. http://inventors.about.com According to an Edudemic.com article, "public schools in the U.S. averaged about one computer for every 92 students by 1984. Currently, there is about one computer for every 4 students." -
Reader Rabbit Game
Reader Rabbit, released in 1986 by The Learning Company, was the most commercially successful learning game. It was designed to help teach children ages three to nine to read. The company created learning games for students of all ages for twelve years before being aquired by Mattel in 1998 for $4.2 billion.
