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Period: 3600 BCE to 1450 BCE
1. Oral Communication Era
In this early era of human civilization, learning took place through face-to-face interactions. The importance of oral traditions cannot be understated—they were the primary means of passing down cultural knowledge, history, and societal values. While no sophisticated technology was involved, the significance lies in the communal approach to education. This form of learning helped develop rhetoric, debate, and group discussion. -
1450 BCE
Oral Communication Era and Examples
"One of the earliest means of formal teaching was oral – though human speech – although overtime, technology has been increasingly used to facilitate or ‘back-up’ oral communication. For the ancient Greeks, oratory and speech were the means by which people learned and passed on learning. To be learned, they had to be memorized by listening, not by reading, and transmitted by recitation, not by writing."
e.g., Stories, folklore, histories, news, song, poems, and chants. -
Period: 1000 BCE to 1500 BCE
2. Written Communication Era
Starting around 1000 BCE, the invention of writing radically changed the educational landscape. With written records, knowledge could be stored and transmitted across generations without relying solely on memory. The invention of the printing press in the 15th century magnified this effect by making books and written resources widely available. EdTech in this period involved the development of libraries, books, and formal curricula. -
999 BCE
Written Communication Era and Examples
"The role of text or writing in education has a long history. According to the Bible, Moses used chiseled stone to convey the ten commandments in a form of writing, probably around the 7th century BC. The invention of the printing press in Europe in the 15th century was a truly disruptive technology, making written knowledge much more freely available, very much in the same way as theInternet has done today."
e.g., Postal system, print, formal correspondence... -
Period: to
3. Broadcasting and Video Era
In the 20th century, the rise of mass communication tools like radio, film, and television revolutionized education. For the first time, it became possible to transmit educational content to large audiences simultaneously. This era marked the beginning of multimedia learning, showcasing the power of integrating audio and visual components into education. -
Broadcasting and Video Era and Examples
This era, beginning in the early 20th century, marks the emergence of mass communication technologies such as radio, film, and television. These tools allowed educators to reach wider audiences than ever before. This period significantly expanded access to education, especially in remote or underserved areas, and introduced the potential of multimedia learning.
e.g., The British Broadcasting Corporations' radio programs, Open University (OU), PBS, History Channel, Discovery Channel... -
Period: to
4. Computer and Internet Era
Starting in the 1970s, the advent of personal computers and, later, the internet, transformed education in unprecedented ways. Interactive simulations, video conferencing, and virtual classrooms became possible, allowing students to collaborate and learn regardless of geographic location. In the digital age, the emphasis is on personalized, self-paced learning experiences supported by a wealth of digital tools that cater to diverse learning needs. -
Computer and Internet Era and Examples
"In essence the development of programmed learning aims to computerize teaching, by structuring information, testing learners’ knowledge, and providing immediate feedback to learners."
Five main sections:
1. Computer-Based Learning (1970s)
2. Computer Networking (1982, first web-based forums)
3. Online Learning Environments
4. Social Media
5. Paradigm Shift in Education
e.g., PLATO, MOOCs, WebCT, YouTube, Coursera, edX... -
References
-Bates (2016), “A short history of educational technology” (6.2) (p. 192-196). -Robinson, J. (1982) Broadcasting Over the Air London: BBC -Kaplan, A. and Haenlein, M. (2010), Users of the world, unite! The challenges and opportunities of social media, Business Horizons, Vol. 53, No. 1, pp. 59-6 All images provided by: https://pixabay.com/