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Radio
The Radio became publicly available in the 1920s. Students who did not have access or the luxury of attending school each day. If they were within frequency range, some students and families would be able to listen to lessons over the radio. -
The First Overhead Projector
Overhead Projectors began to be implemented into the classrooms. This addition to the classroom allowed for students to follow exactly what the teacher was doing. It also allowed for students to work at the same time as the teacher. -
Skinner Teaching Machine
Skinner's invention allowed for quick feedback on self-paced learning. It allowed kids to see a question and write down an answer. Once answered, the student progresses the machine to "lock in" their answer to see if they were correct. More information:
https://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/search/object/nmah_690062 -
Video Tapes are Introduced
Video Tapes become available for educators and students. This was a new form of instruction that the teachers could provide in their classroom. A link to an argument against video tapes as a form of instruction:
https://www.jstor.org/stable/44388120 -
Photocopiers are Introduced to Schools
Photocopiers are introduced into schools across the United States. This allows for teachers to copy lessons and assignments quicker for students. -
Typewriter
The Selectric typewriter became the first widely used typewriter in schools during the 1970s. Typewriters were used prior, but they became more commonly used in the '70s. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cdyoPu_ASw -
Handheld Calculators
Calculators became very prevalent not only in the workplace, but in the classroom. Old forms to compute and solve math problems were slowly replaced by the handheld calculators. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBybwjm8Nk4 -
Scantron
The Scantron introduced in 1972. This allowed for educators to grad tests quicker. The scantron is also seen on standardized tests. How it works:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHnVE0hVBes -
Apple
Apple begins providing schools with computers and pcs. In 1983, Apple begins donating computers to California schools who are within their guidelines to receive these free donations. They continue to donate computers to schools today. Apple's commitment today:
https://www.apple.com/connectED/#:~:text=Giving%20products%2C%20support%2C%20and%20opportunities%20to%20schools%20that,teacher%2C%20and%20an%20Apple%20TV%20to%20every%20classroom. -
Virtual Field Trips
Virtual field trips became popular in the 2000s. Since Covid, they have become more popular in the classroom. Example:
https://www.thechinaguide.com/destination/great-wall-of-china -
Classroom Technology Today
Today over 97% of classrooms across the nation have access to at least one computer. More and more since Covid-19, schools are giving devices to students to use during the school year.