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Correspondance Courses
In the mid 19th century in Europe and the United States correspondence courses were used as the first form of distance education.
This is one of the first noted forms of distance education, and the fact that it was happening in the 1800s surprises me. -
Distance Education For Women
Anna Ticknor establishes a society for women of all classes to study at home.
At this time women were working to have an equal education to that of men, so having correspondence courses that would be offered to all was a huge step in that direction. -
The Creation of the NUEA
The National University Extension Association (NUEA) was formed. This “broadened the focus to other issues, such as necessity of new pedagogical models and new national level guidelines, such as university policies regarding acceptance of credit from correspondence courses, credit transferal, and standard quality for correspondence educators.” (Nasseh) -
Radio and Distance Education
Pennsylvania State College starts broadcasting courses over the radio.
Distance education was growing and adapting with the technology by utilizing the radio. -
Television and Distance Education
The State University of Iowa broadcasts educational television programs. Distance education continues to grow and adapt with the technology through the use of the television. This can also allow for more visual demonstrations of concepts to aid visual learners. -
Obtaining a High School Diploma
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Independent Study High School program allows individuals to obtain an accredited high school diploma.
This point in history caught my attention because I used to teach high school. But I also think this is important for adult education because this could help adults earn their high school diploma while managing other responsibilities. -
Graduate Degrees Are Offered
1985 Nova Southeastern University offers accredited graduate degrees through online courses. This is important, to me, because it helped to lead the way to where I am today, taking graduate courses online. And in my opinion it helps to validate distance education as a valued form of learning by offering degree advancement online after earning a bachelor's. -
Blackboard, Inc. is Founded
Blackboard Inc is founded. They developed a homogenized program for course management and delivery that enabled many more institutions to offer distance education.
Blackboard was the first medium I used for online learning. I then got to see the other side of it while teaching. The courses I taught were traditional face to face courses but we were still encouraged to use Blackboard for delivery of course material. -
Distance Education Offerings Are On The Rise
89% of public and 60% of private institutions offer online learning.
Over half of private and public colleges and university see the value in having online education, helping to feed the growth of adult learners returning to college. -
The First Public Online-Only University
The first online-only public university, UF Online was announced for launch in 2014.
It is interesting to see how colleges and university are adapting to the growth of technology and needs of learners.