An EdTech Timeline

bryan07965
Mar 1
1 min read

Updated: 6 days ago

This timeline represents the first use of a technology specifically for teaching and learning purposes. Some specific years are noted when known, others are estimated by the public availability of the technology at a price reasonable for schools and teachers.

1880s

Mimeograph

1890s

Film (for instruction) — 1897

1930s

Educational filmstrips

1950s

Slide Projectors (film)
Broadcast Television (instructional programs)

1960s

Photocopying (commercial products available) — 1960
Overhead Projectors — early 1960s
Computer Software (educational programs)
Video Games (first educational video game) — 1968
Robotics (first computer-driven robot for teaching) — 1969

1970s

Videotape (used for recorded lessons and training)
Virtual Reality (first flight simulator) — 1972
Broadcast via Satellite (distance learning initiatives) — 1974
Wearable Technology (first calculator watch) — 1977

1980s

Broadcast via Cable (educational programming)
The Internet (educational computer conferencing)
Slide Presentation Software — mid 1980s

1990s

The Internet (including online learning platforms) — 1990s
Videoconferencing (used for remote learning) — 1990s
CD-ROM (interactive educational content) — 1990s
Mobile Phones (used for mobile learning) — 1990s
DVD (educational DVDs) — 1990s
Electronic Whiteboards — 1991
Streaming video & audio (first purely educational use) — 1995
Internet-based videoconferencing software — mid 1990s
E-books & Digital Textbooks — late 1990s

2000s

Social Media (used for collaborative learning)
Podcasts (educational podcasts)
Smartboards (more advanced interactive whiteboards)
Augmented Reality (first use for maintenance training) — 2003

2010s

Artificial Intelligence (fisrt publicly available LLM) — 2017

I was surprised by the decades in which some of our new, hot technologies like Virtual Reality, Robotics, and Wearables were introduced. Does anything surprise you? Did I miss anything? I'd love to hear your thoughts.