The History of Online Instructional Technology Platforms

By lsmother

  • PLATO, Programmed Logic for Automatic Teaching Operations

    The first computer learning system. An Intranet of computers at the University of Illinois created by Donald L. Bitzer.

  • The Electronic University Network

    Ron Gordon from San Franciso came up with the business plan and convinced several major universities from around the country to join.

  • Computer Assisted Learning Center (CALC) through QuantumLink Community College

    First virtual online learning non-credit courses offered by the community college.

  • EKKO, the first fully featured Learning Management System (LMS)

    It was developed and released by Norway's NKI Distance Education Network in 1991.

  • CECIL, The first Web-based LMS

    The University of Auckland Business School launched CECIL (computer supported learning or CSL), the first web-based LMS.

  • Introduction of the Blackboard Learning System

    Stephen Gilfus and Dan Cane who started a company called CourseInfo LLC merged with Blackboard LLC founded by Matthew Pittinsky and Michael Chasen to form Blackboard, Inc. and form the Blackboard Learning System.

  • Open Source LMS OLAT Launced

    OLAT was developed at University of Zuricht. It was praised for its support for blended learning.

  • RoboDemo2 - Precursor to Adobe Capitivate

    A Flash based program released by eHelp Corporation.

  • The first version of Moodle Released

    Martin Dougiamasdevloped Moodle to help educators create online courses with interaction and collaborative content.

  • Macromedia Captivate Released

    Macromedia acquired RoboDemo from eHelp, added more instructional features and released it as Macromedia Capitivate.

  • Adobe Captivate Released

    Adobe acquired Macromedia and added even more features and released it under the name Adobe Captivate 2.

  • Instructure LMS (Precursor to Canvas)

    Two BYU graduate students, Brian Whitmer and Devlin Daley created the program using Ruby on Rails.

  • Canvas Network Launced for MOOCs

    Instructure created Canvas Network as a product for managing massive open online courses or MOOCs.