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Release of the Apple iPad
Since its debut, the iPad has changed how children learn, for better or worse. In schools, these are much more often used for good, with access varying in the nation. Some schools implemented BYOD (Bring your own device) and device pods for the classroom to increase connectivity. 21st century learning skills are necessary for children, and learning experiences are customizable to each student. The portability of the iPad was revolutionary.
12 Years of iPads in Schools -
Creation of Remind101
Remind 101 is a website and app that provides a safe way for teachers to text or email parents and students. I think the idea behind this app really works with students today, because of the text-based interface. You can even choose to not get the app and just text from your messages instead. parents have the same options, as well as email, so teachers can reach out to either party about anything from homework help to exam reminders.
What is Remind 101 -
Invention of Chromebooks
Apple iPads were hot, but Chromebooks were even hotter in schools. The convenience of students just signing into their Google account and having the entire suite and their documents available with ease. The laptops were cheap and simple to make, so they emerged in schools nationwide. The laptops overall focused on speed, security, and overall simplicity.
How Google Chromebooks conquered schools -
"Year of the MOOC"
MOOCs, or Massive Open Online Courses became mainstream in 2012, following Stanford's opening of 3 MOOCs the year prior, one of them being "Intro to AI." In just a month, 58,000 people signed up, and the explosion in popularity began.
MOOCs were majorly important to education technology, as it transformed how people could access quality learning.
Year of the MOOC Timeline Explained -
Creation of the Google Cardboard
The Google Cardboard was the company's "successful attempt to create an affordable VR viewer which also allowed users to build their own." (MaxBoxVR). This allowed for many of these headsets to be distributed to schools in the following years, and give many students access to VR for the first time.
MaxBoxVR -
The Rise of AR
No exact date can be pinned for events like these, but roughly 2014, AR began to become more available in schools. Opportunities provided ranged from science experiments like dissections to exploring the stars in space by simply pointing your device up to the sky. -
The Subsequent Rise of VR
VR gained popularity shortly after AR, and again gave educators new and unique opportunities for learning. Geography and history classes could transport students to any time or place in the world thanks to the use of Virtual Reality technology, and give them the opportunity to explore these times and places. Language learning is also a possibility through VR to simulate conversation. Even theatre and the arts benefited from this technology, as access grew. -
The Rise of AI
AI has been controversial since its inception, mostly out of general lack of knowledge and fear regarding the subject. Artificial intelligence can be anything like intelligent tutoring, tracking student progress, generating personalized learning plans for each student, and more. As this technology has come into the spotlight, more work has been done with it, as we saw last year in the emergence of ChatGPT and other AI chatbots with seemingly infinite knowledge, impacting education greatly again. -
The Rise of eLearning and Video Conferences
Pandemic times changed how we knew education for close to a year. Connectivity issues nationwide had to be confronted, with things from wifi busses to the distribution of laptops, times were different. Online learning management systems like Canvas, Blackboard, Google Classroom, and more allowed teachers to continue lessons as best as possible, and Microsoft Teams and Zooms provided connection in one of the most disconnected times ever. https://www.jotform.com/blog/classroom-technology-trends/