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The Boston Gazette & Correspondence Courses
The first advertisement for a correspondence course on shorthand was by a teacher named Caleb Phillips, which marks the beginning of modern distance learning (Sleator, 2010). No matter where his students were located in the United States, Phillips, a pioneer in remote education, announced that he would send them weekly lessons. The end of the requirement for students to be physically present in the classroom and the beginning of a new era in education were both marked by this. -
Distance Education - Sir Isaac Pitman
Sir Isaac Pitman introduced one of the first methods of distance education in 1840. Using the newly established “Penny Post” system in the UK, Pitman introduced correspondence courses in the field of shorthand (Simonson, Smaldino, & Zvacek, 2019). Students received shorthand exercises via the mail, completed them, and returned them to Pitman to be graded. Pitman’s approach to distance learning marked a turning point in distance education and paved the way for modern online learning. -
The University of London
The University of London’s External Programme was the first university to provide distance learning degrees through the mail. Students all over the world accessed higher education & obtained degrees by studying course material sent to them through the External Programme (Moore & Kearsley, 2012) . The External Programme was an important step in the development of distance education and opened up the world of higher education beyond the traditional campus setting (Moore & Kearsley, 2012). -
The Society to Encourage Studies at Home
The Society to Encourage Studies at Home was founded in the United States by Anna Eliot Ticknor in 1873, marking the beginning of distance learning. This group established the first American correspondence school with the aim of giving women access to higher education. Women who were frequently excluded from traditional education were able to study a wide range of subjects from the comfort of their own homes thanks to the Society's provision of course materials by mail. -
The University of Chicago
The University of Chicago started offering correspondence courses in 1890, and it was one of the first major American universities to do so (Harasim, 2000). This was an important step in increasing access to higher education because it allowed students who were not able to attend on-campus classes because of geographical or personal reasons to take correspondence university/ college level courses (Harasim, 2000). -
Pennsylvania State College (The Pennsylvania State University)
Pennsylvania State College pioneered distance education by delivering a course delivered via radio broadcasts in 1922 (Saettler, 2004). This was the first use of a mass communication medium by an educational institution to transmit course content. Traditionally, correspondence courses were sent through the mail. The advent of radio-based instruction broadened the scope of education, providing a more dynamic, instant, and accessible learning environment (Saettler, 2004). -
Course Broadcast on Television
The University of Iowa became the first university to broadcast online courses on television. As opposed to radio, mail-based correspondence, & other educational formats, television was an interactive and engaging medium (Graney, 2010). This innovative move represented a significant shift in how distance education was delivered. The use of television in education not only increased access to higher education saw the development of multimedia teaching and learning tools. -
College Credit Course and Distance Learning
When television college credit classes were introduced, The University of Houston became the forerunner in distance education (Saettler, 2004). These classes were more than just broadcasts; they were complete courses that gave students the opportunity to receive academic credit. UH pushed the boundaries of accessibility & flexibility by enabling students to earn college credits outside of the traditional classroom setting (Saettler, 2004). -
PLATO (Programmed Logic for Automatic Teaching Operations)
PLATO (Programmed Logic for Automatic Teaching Operations), a computer-based distance learning program, was created at the University of Illinois in the 1960s (Alpert & Bitzer, 1970). Numerous contemporary elements of online education were first introduced by PLATO (interactive lessons, message boards, assessments). Students using terminals to access course materials and communicate with their instructors and fellow students was revolutionized by PLATO. -
The Open University
According to Perry (1976), The Open University was the first university in the UK to implement a new model for distance learning. Through a combination of television, radio, and mail-based course materials, The Open University offered distance learning courses. People who couldn't attend a traditional university due to location, cost, or personal restrictions were now able to do so thanks to the Open University's ground-breaking model. -
The 1st Entirely Online College
Jones International University was the first entirely online university established in 1993 (Jones Int'l Univ., 2023). This was made possible by internet technology. With extensive degree options, Jones International University demonstrated the viability of an entirely online educational environment. This made it possible for the expansion of online learning while showcasing the ability of digital platforms to provide inclusive, flexible, and accessible options for higher education. -
University of Phoenix
The University of Phoenix (UOP), was a pioneer in the adult education field, as they were able to expand its mission by providing flexible learning opportunities to adult learners who were balancing academic goals with work and family commitments as a result of this development (Johnstone& Krauth, 2004). The online program at the UOP is one of the earliest instances of a sizable organization utilizing internet technology to offer thorough course materials. -
Blackboard LMS
Blackboard unveiled the first integrated learning management system (LMS), for educational institutions. (Watson & Watson, 2007) Blackboard gave teachers the ability to design and run online courses, while students had access to resources, could participate in discussions, and could finish assignments. This tool improved the accessibility and interactivity of online learning while greatly simplifying the administration of online courses. -
OpenCourseWare Project
Massachusetts's Institute of Technology (MIT), launched the OpenCourseWare initiative in 2002. OpenCourseWare aimed to provide anyone who wanted to study a large number of courses from various fields online (Abelson, 2008). In addition to making excellent educational resources more widely available, OpenCourseWare also established the benchmark for openly sharing course materials among educational institutions around the world (Abelson, 2008). -
The Khan Academy
Khan Academy was founded in 2006 and provides online courses and educational materials for free (Meyer, 2010). The organization provides interactive exercises and educational videos on a wide range of topics. The Khan Academy revolutionized traditional educational models by focusing on self paced learning, making educational resources accessible to all, and promoting mastery based learning. -
Massive Open Online Course (MOOC)
Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs), debuted in the online education industry in 2008. Anyone could learn for however long they desired in this open, connected, and networked environment. It was the first of its kind, and it completely changed online education. Millions of people have access to MOOCs today, and many of the best universities in the world provide them. -
edX, Coursera, Udacity, Udemy
Following the launch of Coursera's platform, Udacity introduced edX a year later. MOOCs provided courses in a variety of subjects by collaborating with universities all over the world (Hollands & Tirthali, 2010). MOOCs quickly took over as the preferred method of education by giving millions of people access to courses provided by the top universities in the world. The landscape of online learning completely changed with the appearance of these platforms.. -
Google Classroom Suite
Google Classroom is an educational tool developed by Google which facilitates the exchange of files between educators and students. Google Classroom (which is a part of the Google education suite), facilitates the creation, distribution, and grading of assignments electronically, as well as facilitates communication and collaboration between educators and students, thus making it an effective tool for the organization and management of classroom activities. -
The Every Student Succeeds Act
The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), was passed in the US & had provisions for the use of digital learning resources. By passing this legislation, the government demonstrated a significant commitment to systemically integrating technology into education (Darrow, 2016). This legislation further highlighted the significance of online learning in modern education by emphasizing the role of technology in enhancing student achievement, personalizing learning, and developing digital literacy skills. -
COVID-19 Pandemic & Online Learning
COVID-19 had a significant impact on education. Online learning advanced significantly as a result of educational institutions implementing remote instruction to maintain social distance (Nworie, 2021). Both educators and students faced opportunities and challenges as a result of the quick uptake of online learning. Despite the difficulties, this time period demonstrated the potential of online education to maintain educational continuity in the face of extreme circumstances (Nworie, 2021). -
2021- Present Day
Virtual and augmented reality technologies have revolutionized online learning, providing students with three-dimensional, realistic-looking environments in which to explore scenarios, interact with virtual objects, and perform experiments in a safe and secure environment (Dick, 2021). This approach has been proven to increase engagement, foster active learning, indicating a shift towards more personalized, engaging, and immersive online educational experiences in the future.