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500 BCE
Elder Sophists become first EdTech Innovators
The Elder Sophists are considered to be the "first instructional technologists" (Saettler, 2004, 24). This group in Athens was responsible for the first recorded instances of mass instruction. The Elder Sophists honored technology as a way for mankind to progress and continually grow and evolve, especially in understanding of morality and law. Saettler, L. P. (2004). The evolution of American educational technology. Information Age Publishng. -
450 BCE
Socratic Method Developed
Socrates (470 - 399 BC) developed the Socratic method of inquiry-based instruction, recorded and documented by his students. The instructor used a series of guided questions to lead the pupil towards a conclusion without the need to collect additional data. This method of questioning and discussion is still used in various forms today. (Saettler, 2004, 26) Saettler, L. P. (2004). The evolution of American educational technology. Information Age Publishng. -
The Orbus Pictus is published
As the first popular picture book for children, The Orbus Pictus used visual aids as an instructional tool. The tool tied “objective reality, or its pictorial preresentations, with abstract cognate word symbols" (Saettler, 2004, 31). Saettler, L. P. (2004). The evolution of American educational technology. Information Age Publishng. -
Introduction of the Lancasterian Plan
The Lancasterian Plan was a monitorial method of instruction that provided a systematic method for “instruction… and a body of content, monitor training, control, grouping, testing, and administration” (Saettler, 2004, 34). It introduced efficiency and cost-effectiveness into the broader educational system. Saettler, L. P. (2004). The evolution of American educational technology. Information Age Publishng. -
Kindergartens established
The kindergarten system of early education was developed by Froebel. It was designed to appear to the child as play. Froebel was “the first educator to grasp the value of socialization as a basic teaching method” (Saettler, 2004, 43). Saettler, L. P. (2004). The evolution of American educational technology. Information Age Publishng. -
First Catalog of Instructional Films Published
The first of many catalogs of instructional films published, where the Rochester, NY school system is the first to adopt these films for instructional use. Reiser, R. A. (2001). A history of instructional design and technology: Part I: A history of instructional media. Educational Technology Research and Development, 49(1), 53–64. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02504506 -
Division of Visual Aids for War Training Established
The US federal government establishes the Division of Visual Aids for War Training. Reiser, R. A. (2001). A history of instructional design and technology: Part I: A history of instructional media. Educational Technology Research and Development, 49(1), 53–64. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02504506 -
Bloom's Taxonomy Published
Bloom, Engelhart, Furst, Hill & Krathwohl published their “Taxonomy of Educational Objectives”, commonly referred to simply as Bloom's Taxonomy. Bloom’s Taxonomy became the standard for understanding different learning outcomes and their hierarchy. Reiser, R. A. (2001b). A history of instructional design and technology: Part II: A history of instructional design. Educational Technology Research and Development, 49(2), 57–67. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02504928 -
Computer use in schools on the rise
The availability of microcomputers enables schools across the world to start implementing PC technology into their buildings. By 1983, computers are being used in more than 40% of all elementary schools and more than 75% of all secondary schools (Reiser, 2001, 59). Reiser, R. A. (2001). A history of instructional design and technology: Part I: A history of instructional media. Educational Technology Research and Development, 49(1), 53–64. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02504506 -
First interactive whiteboard (SMART Board) is developed
The world's first interactive whiteboard is developed in 1991 by SMART Technologies, a company founded just 4 years earlier in 1987. The first board used LCD screen technology. Source: smarttech.com -
PhET simulations founded
PhET (originally Physics Education Technology) is created as an open educational resource project at the University of Colorado Boulder. The project offers free, interactive, research-based science and mathematics simulations to supplement and/or replace hands-on classroom inquiry activities across the world. Source: About PhET -
Canvas LMS launches
The Canvas learning management system was launched by Instructure in 2011. The LMS was developed by graduate students at Brigham Young University in 2008. Canvas was among the first learning management systems to work on cloud computing and virtualization environments. Source: Pressbooks
