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USPS Established
In 1775, one year before the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the American Postal System (would later become the United States Postal Service) was created (Miller, 2014). This transfer of mail would facilitate the earliest distance learning programs, known as correspondence courses (Wolfe, 2014). -
"External Programme" Offered
The University of London was the very first institution to offer any type of distance learning classes. The program offered full degrees via correspondence (mail) courses and called it the "External Programme" (Ferrer, 2019). -
Telephone Communication Begins
Inventor Alexander Graham Bell made the first phone call. Thus proving that his new invention, the telephone, was in fact a new, working technological advancement (Ferrer, 2019). -
Motion-Pictures Introduced
Edward Muybridge invents the technology to create motion-pictures using photography (Ferrer, 2019). This advancement would provide further collaborative educational technology such as educational videos, video course materials, and YouTube videos for use in education. -
Radio Invented
Guglielmo Marconi creates the first radio signal in 1895. About five years later, the technology spreads to England and America (Ferrer, 2019). -
The Industrial Age
During The Industrial Age, technology was introduced to education (Ferrer, 2019). Radios can be used for transfer of information, along with motion pictures and typewriters. Correspondence courses are conducted via the U.S. Postal System in some situations, such as Military Service personnel unable to attend classes in-person (Miller, 2014). -
Pennsylvania State University Broadcasts Classes
A radio program is used to broadcast a distance learning class from Pennsylvania State University in 1922. This institution was the first to implement direct technology for the administration of course material outside of the classroom (Ferrer, 2019). -
Early Computers Built
From 1936-1942, multiple different models of computers are designed and assembled for use. They are huge, taking up entire rooms and use is intended for specific operations such as breaking codes. This technological advancement sparked a series of future improvements which would ultimately lead us to owning computers in our homes (Ferrer, 2019) -
University of Illinois Creates Intranet
A sophisticated "intranet" system is implemented at the University of Illinois. This facilitates the use of course materials and recorded lectures for students, in an emergent and groundbreaking format (Ferrer, 2019). -
First Internet Signal Transmitted
The very first internet signal was transmitted by Charley Kline from the University of California at Los Angeles. Stanford Research Institute received the signal, which was the word "LOGIN" (Ferrer, 2019). -
Microsoft Program is Founded
In 1975, the famous Microsoft company was founded by Paul Allen and Bill Gates. Their mission, as Gates later stated, was to "put a computer at every desk and in every home." The user-friendly Microsoft personal computer systems put the future opportunity of distance learning within reach (Beaumont, 2008). -
First Virtual Campus Created
Coastline Community College, based out of Fountain Valley, California, begins to offer fully online degree programs. The course materials included video tapes, telephone calls, radio programs, television programs, and records (Ferrer, 2019). -
Portable Computer Created
The Osborne 1 is a successful "portable" computer due to the smaller size, yet it resembles a larger version of today's laptop computers (Ferrer, 2019). -
First Email Sent
The world's very first email was sent from the U.S. to Germany on August 3, 1984. This opens the major door for distance communication to facilitate the growth of online learning (Ferrer, 2019). -
World Wide Web Opens
The public is officially able to use the World Wide Web in 1991. The internet's first website was created by Tim Berners-Lee. Without websites, the internet explosion of the 90's would never have been possible or lead to such groundbreaking advancements for online learning (Ferrer, 2019). -
Blackboard Software Launch
The content platform used by Post University and many other institutions offering online educational programs launches in 1997, known as Blackboard Learn. The historical limitations of distance learning are eliminated as this software efficiently facilitates accredited college courses for distance learners over the World Wide Web (Miller, 2014). -
Google Search Engine Developed
The ability to quickly and efficiently search for the answers to all of our most pressing questions is made possible by the introduction of Google Search Engine. Aside from random questions and restaurant recommendations, Google Search Engines sparked and even powered other fast and easy ways to get answers and find articles across the web, thus making educational technology even more user-friendly than ever before (Ferrer, 2019). -
Creative Commons and Wikipedia Founded
2001 was a big year for free, publicly accessible information on the internet. During this year, Jimmy Wales creates Wikipedia and Aaron Schwartz builds Creative Commons. Both of these sites provide students with information which can be potentially applied to scholarly research (Ferrer, 2019). -
5.5 Million Enrolled
By 2009, the statistics show that 5.5 million students are taking classes in the online format. Higher education is more accessible than ever before (Ferrer, 2019). -
First Online-Only Public University
The University of Florida online opened its virtual doors in 2013, as the very first online-only public higher education program (Miller, 2014). -
Online Offerings at 98% of Schools
By 2018, statistics show that 98% of both privately and publicly funded universities are offering online courses or degree programs (Ferrer, 2019). -
First Ivy League Bachelor's Program
The University of Pennsylvania once again pioneers another major milestone in online learning. Just this year the first completely online Ivy League Bachelor's Degree program was implemented by the institution. The Applied Arts and Sciences degree focus is designed to meet the needs of non-traditional learners such as adults returning to gain a degree for career enhancement (Ferrer, 2019).
