-
1st Distance Education Program in the United States
The Pitman Shorthand Training program was implemented by the United States Postal Service.This program allowed secretaries to practice shorthand writing by following exercises which were sent in the mail. Once completed, the students received a certificate of expertise to aid in their career opportunities. -
The first Correspondence program was founded.
In 1881 the first Correspondence program was founded in New York by William Rainey Harper. It was this program that eventually led to the authorization of future correspondence courses. Three years after the program developed, this program became recognized as the Chautauqua College of Liberal Arts and offered diplomas and degrees via correspondence (Casey,2008). -
Distance learning is academically recognized.
In 1892, distance learning becomes academically recognized which allows the University of Chicago to implement the first college-level distance learning program. During this program, students used the U.S. postal service to exchange assignments (Casey, 2008). -
Radio programs started offering distance education programs.
In 1921, the first educational radio licenses were issued to The University of Salt Lake City, the University of Wisconsin, and the University o Minnesota. This allowed students to hear the actual voices of their distance education instructors (Casey, 2008, p.46). -
Over 10% of all broadcast radio stations were owned by educational institutions
Although instructional radio was widely popular, only one college level credit course was offered by radio broadcasting by the 1940s. However, this type of distance learning helped pave the way for future distance learning opportunities (Casey, 2008, p.46) -
The Distance Education Accrediting Commission is founded.
The DEAC acts as an institutional accreditor of distance education institutions. It offers accreditations to any institution from secondary schools to doctoral degree programs.This organization is still active today (Distance Education Accrediting Commission). -
University of Iowa became the first to broadcast educational programs via television.
In 1934, the University of Iowa began broadcasting educational programs on television. Within five years, the university transmitted approximately 400 different programs (Moore,2003, p. 7). Please click on the link below to view a televised commercial from the 1940's encouraging correspondence education. https://youtu.be/58pb2mGybwM -
The Public Broadcasting Act was established
The Public Broadcasting Act authorized public broadcasting for non commercial use for both television and radio. This act demonstrated the federal government's commitment to distance learning and aided Universities in the ability to offer easily accessible distance education courses (Moore, 2003, p.8). -
The first fully televised college courses were created by Coastline Community College.
Coastline Community College created, licensed, and implemented the first distance education courses which were 100% televised.They were the first college to be developed without an actual campus (Casey, 2008, p. 47). -
Empire State College was founded which offered bachelor and associate degrees via distance education courses.
In 1971, the State University of New York created Empire State College. This college offered distance education courses to students as a way to help them achieve bachelors and associate degrees outside of a formal classroom (Moore, 2003, p.11). -
University of Phoenix Online was founded
The CEO of the University of Phoenix Online,John Sperling,developed a hybrid institution.The University of Phoenix Online consisted of both courses online and in the classroom. The online University consisted of 55 campuses and 98 learning centers located in 18 different states. This made distance learning accessible to a multitude of students who were otherwise unable to complete educational courses (Moore, 2003, p.19). -
The first state educational satellite system was created
Satellite system education allowed distant locations to have equal opportunities. The first state educational satellite system was created in Learn, Alaska which offered 6 hours of instructional television to 100 villages a day (Casey, 2008, p. 48). -
The World Wide Web was developed by Tim Berners-Lee
Once the public has access to the world wide web, distance learning turned course. The ability to obtain interactive, virtual classrooms was made available and distance education increased dramatically (Casey, 2008). -
First Virtual University opened its doors.
The Jones International University in Colorado became the first virtual university to solely provide distance education to students. It offered 5 different bachelor degrees and 24 different masters degrees. In addition, it was the first online University to be accepted and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (Moore, 2003, p.19). Please see the youtube link below to learn more about the Jones International University. https://youtu.be/tycgCRcRpyU -
Period: to
58% of higher education institutions in the U.S offered distance education courses.
It is estimated that during this short timeframe, 25,730 distance education courses were being offered. Of these students, an estimated 3,430 received degrees (Matthews, 1999). -
Duke University issued Ipods to all Freshmen for podcast education
1,650 freshman were issued a 20GB iPod to access mp3 courses and university event downloads. These podcasts consisted of both informal and formal learning material which could be accessed from anywhere (Murphy,2008). -
8% of Indiana University students are solely enrolled in Distance Education Classes
7,950 students took 100% of their classes online at Indiana University. Please see the link to see how Indiana University's Online program continues to grow (http://online.iu.edu/). -
Period: to
The future of distance education begins to focus on individuals and technology
Please view this youtube video to see Executive Director of LINGOs, Eric Berg describe the future of distance education. https://youtu.be/gtzna0fC8xM
