Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Educational Technology
Historical Development of
Educational Technology
Over the years, technology and education do not only became a
network of gathering and sharing ideas, but also a platform for
students and teachers to research, collaborate, anId differentiate.
Collaborating and communicating with peers is a meaningful and
purposeful way to share ideas with one another. At present,
differentiating instruction is one of the main struggles for an
educator. Technology integration offers educators ways to pace
student lessons based on the student’s level and multiple
intelligences.
Like the history of man, there are different resource materials that
offer various perspective of viewing EdTech in its historical lens.
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Historical Development of Educational Technology
Cave paintings (30,000 BCE) – the first thing that happened in the history of educational technology was
the cave drawing in 30,000 BCE. Cave paintings were first found in Asia and Europe. “The exact purpose of
drawing and paintings is not known. However, these cave painting might have also been used to educate
early humans and show them some stories about their life and what happened during their life.” (History of
Educational Technology, 2015).
Pythagoras Academy (510 BCE) – It was the time wherein the first school was opened and headed by the
philosopher Pythagoras. Students were taught in an open classroom setting. (510 BCE Pythagoras Academy,
2016)
Manuscript Transcripts (382 BCE) – Manuscript is a handwritten document, while transcripts is the
printed copy both are origin from Latin words. It helped shaped the Medieval Ages and often includes text
and decoration. (Wyhe, J. V, 2002).
Paper (105 BCE) – Paper was invented in China. These papers were used for wrapping delicate bronze
mirrors and in relation to educational technology, it was used to help spread literature and literacy.
Gutenberg Printing Press (1450) – In 1450, the Gutenberg printing press was created. The printing press
altered the way people learn, share knowledge, spread opinions and amuse themselves. Its effects include
the impact of printing press on education, for example, vastly increasing the number of people who learned
to read. “Basically, because printing could reach more people, over a wider area than having one person to
instruct or teach others.
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Historical Development of Educational Technology
traced the letters of the alphabet with their fingers in the sand, the black surface showing through
The Early School Book (1690) – It contained the 24 letters of the alphabet; each letter being illustrated with a drawing and a
verse to impress it on the child’s mind. The primer also contained various lessons and admonitions for youth the Lord’s prayer,
and the Ten Commandments.
The Sandbox (1806) – Students would use a sandbox on their desk to practice the alphabet: “White sand overlaid the box and
the children m of the letter traced. After the children had made each of the letters, the monitor smoothed the sand with a flat
iron, and a new letter was presented” (Gutek, 1986, p. 62)
School slate and chalkboard (1841) – Classroom chalkboard was first introduced. By the late 1800’s, the chalkboard had
become a permanent fixture in most classrooms.
Magic Lantern (1870) – it is the primitive version of an overhead projector, it projected images from a glass plate onto a wall
in a darkened room. Popular with Victorians as home entertainment, the magic lantern was also used in schools.
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Historical Development of Educational Technology
traced the letters of the alphabet with their fingers in the sand, the black surface showing through
The Early School Book (1690) – It contained the 24 letters of the alphabet; each letter being illustrated with a drawing and a
verse to impress it on the child’s mind. The primer also contained various lessons and admonitions for youth the Lord’s prayer,
and the Ten Commandments.
The Sandbox (1806) – Students would use a sandbox on their desk to practice the alphabet: “White sand overlaid the box and
the children m of the letter traced. After the children had made each of the letters, the monitor smoothed the sand with a flat
iron, and a new letter was presented” (Gutek, 1986, p. 62)
School slate and chalkboard (1841) – Classroom chalkboard was first introduced. By the late 1800’s, the chalkboard had
become a permanent fixture in most classrooms.
Magic Lantern (1870) – it is the primitive version of an overhead projector, it projected images from a glass plate onto a wall
in a darkened room. Popular with Victorians as home entertainment, the magic lantern was also used in schools.
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Historical Development of Educational Technology
Lead pencils – around the turn of the 19th century, mass produced pencils and paper become readily available, gradually
replacing the school slate.
Stereoscope – the 3D devices were sold to schools featuring educational sets containing hundreds of images
Film Strip Projector and Film Strip Viewer – In 1902, Charles Urban of London began exhibiting the first educational
films. Thomas Edison also contributed to the use of film in the classroom by producing a series on the American Revolution.
In 1910, enthusiasm for educational films led Rochester New York’s Board of Education to adopt education films for
instructional use.
Radio (1920) – Radio entered the educational system in the early 1920s.Typically, educational radio programs lasted
between 30-60 minutes and were broadcasted a few times a week. “Schools of the air” were formed. These radio-based
schools partnered with a local radio station, developed curriculum, created lesson leaflets, produced educational programs,
established a weekly schedule for broadcasts, trained staff, and ultimately executed the concept of “schools of the air”.
Overhead Projector (1930) – the overhead projector was widely used by the US Military to train forces during World War II
and eventually the device spread to schools.
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Television (1930s-1950s) - The popularity of instructional television was rising between these times. Because of that, some
hypothesized that television could provide students with a better education at a lower cost. To this end, a few school systems,
attempted to substitute a large portion of teacher-led classroom over time with educational television programming. In most
schools, however, instructional television served as a supplemental role and was used minimally.
Computer (1950s) – Computers were first used in education in the 1950s in a way that was intended to individualize
instruction. This method became known as computer assisted instruction (CAI)
Internet (1990s) – the most useful technology of modern times, which helps us not only in our daily lives but also in
professional lives. For educational purposes, it is widely used to gather information and to do research or add to the
knowledge of various subjects. Through knowledge-explosion, learners were able to research information easier, and support
individualization and personalization of learning.
Smartphones and laptops (2000s) – children as young as primary age interact readily with digital devices such as tablets.
Young people conduct their social lives through their phones, and instinctively turn to them first for news, information-
sharing and entertainment. By capitalizing on familiarity with mobile, education can motivate today’s digital natives through
new and innovative ways of learning
The list of specific technologies, may it be considered as low-tech or high-tech continues to evolve, one of EdTech’s
characteristics.
Emerging Technologies