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The humble beginnings of online learning 1800s
The concept of online learning is not new its goes as far back as 170 years starting with correspondence courses. Professors would send assignments to students via mail to be completed marking the start/birth of distance learning, evolving into what we know today as online learning. -
First in the world to offer distance learning
The University of London becomes the first university in the world to offer full degrees through distance learning, with its “External Program.” -
America jumps on the band wagon of distance learning!
The first formal correspondence schools in the United States begin. Their collective organization is called “The Society to Encourage Studies at Home,” founded by Ana Eliot Tickner in Boston, Massachusetts. -
More interest sparks in America for distance learning!
The University of Chicago is the first traditional American educational institution (college or K–12) to offer correspondence courses. The term “distance education” is first used in by the University of Wisconsin–Madison in a pamphlet. -
Pre-1900 of distance learning
This era is important because during this time the groundwork for distance education (online learning) was being laid down, the first correspondence courses. This era marked the beginning the radio, motion pictures and the debut of the first semi-automated computing machine. -
An upgrade from paper correspondence to the phonograph
The University of Wisconsin–Madison sends course materials and lectures on phonograph records to distance learners, embracing new technology as a means of distance education and setting the stage for online learning. -
Distance learning is expanding beyond England & America.
The University of Queensland (Australia) opens its Department of Correspondence Studies. They were the second university worldwide to allow/offer home education. -
Becoming more efficient in distance learning 1922-1925!
In 1922 Pennsylvania State University is the first college or university to broadcast courses over the radio, increasing the speed and efficiency of contact between distance learners and course content. In 1925 the University of Iowa begins offering course credit for five different radio correspondence courses. -
The phenomena is spreading about Distance learning 1926
The National Home Study Council forms. They would later change their name to the Distance Education and Training Council in 1942, and then to the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC) in 2015. -
The phenomena is continuing to grow.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is formed. Under the influence of the Association of College and University Broadcasting, They help to keep frequencies open for collegiate broadcasting. -
Distance learning is going from radio to the television 1950-1953
WOI-TV of Iowa State University goes on the air with the first non-experimental, educationally owned television station. The University of Houston begins offering course credit for television correspondence courses. -
A new era of global communications- innovating distance learning 1960-1979
The Space Age and the Early Internet: The internet takes its first wobbly steps in these early years. In 1960 the University of Illinois creates Intranet systems for students to access course materials and recorded lectures. In 1965 Leonard Kleinrock, Lawrence Roberts, and Thomas Merrill create the first wide area computer network, using telephone lines. The University of Wisconsin begins to implement a statewide telephone correspondence format for their physician training. -
The Early Internet 1969
The first four nodes of the preliminary internet, the ARPANET, are linked through a physical Interface Message Processor (IMP) network. The nodes are in UCLA, UC–Santa Barbara, Stanford, and the University of Utah. October 29th, Charley Kline transmitted the first internet signal (data packets) under the supervision of Leonard Kleinrock at UCLA. The receiving end of the signal was at Stanford Research Institute. -
The first to go virtual 1976-1977
In 1976 the first virtual campus, Coastline Community College, is born, offering its degree program entirely through telecommuting courses, also known as telecourses (using telephone, television, radio, records, and tapes). The virtual campus operates out of Fountain Valley, California. Then in 1977 Lawrence Landweber establishes the Computer Science Network (CSNET) with the intention of connecting all US universities and industrial computer research groups. -
The Computer Age and the Modern Internet for online learning 1980–1989
The 1980’s are the birth years of modern internet. Before this era, the internet and online education with it were just research experiments. The vision for the internet was primarily based in university computer labs. But online education does find its earliest entrants in the 1980’s with the first online college courses and online degrees as distance education embraces the idea of online learning. -
First online college program 1981
Western Behavioral Sciences Institute offers the first online college program through its School of Management and Strategic Studies. -
Access to online courses 1984-1985
In 1984 the Electronic University Network is created to promote access to online courses. In 1985 the first accredited online graduate program is offered by Nova Southeastern University. Also the first US research and education network was developed (NSFNET.) This network is the first open computer network focused on research and higher education. Previous networks were all “closed networks.” -
Private for-profit school launches its online degree program 1989.
The University of Phoenix, a private for-profit school, launches its online degree program. -
The Information Age and the Internet Boom: 1990–1999
The Information Age and the Internet Boom: The 1990’s is marked by a tech boom, as the commercial prospects of the internet are starting to take root. The early pioneers of online learning enter the fray around this time, with the first accredited fully online college, as well as the development of learning management systems (LMS) -
The first online college courses with real–time instruction 1992-1994
Western Michigan University develops a system of automatic computerized grading known as “Computer Assisted Personalized Approach” (CAPA). The Electronic University Network offers a Ph.D. program through America Online. In 1994 CALCAMPUS offers the first online college courses with real–time instruction and participation i.e., synchronous learning. -
The Interactive Learning Network is created 1996-1997
Jones International University the first fully web–based, accredited university launches. Blackboard Course Management software launches, effectively opening the market to a wide range of online options that were previously considered too unwieldy to handle. The Journal of Asynchronous Learning Networks is established to publish and promote academic research on online education. The Interactive Learning Network is created and used by multiple schools as an early (LMS). -
The Information Age 2000
There is a proliferation of online colleges and online degrees, as well as free and open online education options. From 2000 forward, the internet is firmly entrenched as a critical dimension of modern society, as opposed to merely a new technology added onto old society. -
The Global Community & Online resources 2002-2009
In 2002 MIT offers free educational resources through the Open Courseware Project. Salman Khan founds Khan Academy 2009. Also, in 2009 YouTube/EDU launches and Liberty University, a private, Christian college, first launches its online degree program. More than 5.5 million students around the world enrolled in at least one online college course. -
2011 Regulations are issued for online learning
The Department of Education issues new regulations which require online colleges to satisfy all state–level educational requirements. This mandate places a huge regulatory burden on online colleges. -
Online Learning the wave of the future
In 2012 Udacity launches Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) on behalf of Harvard and MIT. President Barack Obama announces $500 million in grants to community colleges, the bulk of which supports the development of online learning resources and programs. And in 2013 the University of Florida becomes the first public university to launch online. -
Going further 2018-2019
98% of public universities and colleges offer some form of online program. In 2019 the University of Pennsylvania becomes the first Ivy League university to offer a totally online bachelor’s degree program. -
2020 and beyond for Online Learning
Online colleges may never totally replace the traditional experience, but it is undeniable that online education has had a major impact not only on how we pursue formal education, but on how we teach, learn, and perceive knowledge.