History of Distance Education

  • Pittman Shorthand Training Program

    Pittman Shorthand Training Program
    The Phonographic Institute of Cincinnati developed a stenographic shorthand correspondence course. Using the postal system, participants would receive a certificate upon successful completion of coursework.
  • Colliery School of Mines

    Colliery School of Mines
    Formed in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, this was created to educate mine workers about workplace safety. It became the International Correspondence Schools after the addition of safety courses for railroad and iron workers.
  • University of Chicago College Courses

    University of Chicago College Courses
    This program is credited for being the first to offer college-level distance education courses. Assignments and lessons were sent and received through the mail.
  • Educational Radio Licenses Issued

    Educational Radio Licenses Issued
    These licenses allowed for educational programming to be aired. Instructors could also broadcast lessons on the radio.
  • Televised classes

    Televised classes
    The University of Iowa becomes the first college to broadcast classes on the television.
  • Articulated Instructional Media Project (AIM)

    Articulated Instructional Media Project (AIM)
    This University of Wisconsin report identified, categorized, and systemized distance learning systems. The goal was to provide guidance on packaging multimedia instructional materials for learners.
  • British Open University

    British Open University
    Using the AIM project as a guideline, the Open University was founded. This British school is considered a model of distance learning in higher education.
  • Coastline Community College

    Coastline Community College
    Using the television to broadcast all courses, Coastline Community College became the first college to operate without a campus.
  • Learn Alaska

    Learn Alaska
    The state of Alaska developed this distance education program for those in remote villages. They used satellites for transmission, allowing the villagers to receive 6 hours of instructional education daily.
  • Jones International University

    Jones International University
    Offering 5 BA and 24 master's degrees, this Colorado University became the first fully-online university to be accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.