The History of eLearning

A well-established concept today, the term eLearning has actually only been in existence since 1999. Short for ‘electronic learning’, eLearning usually involves using a computer, tablet or some other type of electronic device to deliver some sort of lesson or learning, either as a full course, or in conjunction with more traditional learning methods. In order to fully understand the history of eLearning, we need to first delve deep into its past, long before the Internet even existed. Some say that eLearning dates back to the 19^th century, although author, consultant and eLearning researcher Terry T. Kidd states: “It is important to note that there is no single evolutionary point of which the eLearning originated nor is there a single agreed definition of eLearning.”

As far back as the 1840s, Isaac Pitman was conducting distance classes where he taught pupils to write in shorthand via a series of correspondence mailed back and forth between himself and his students. Whilst the ‘electronic’ is missing from this type of learning, this is a method of remote learning that is synonymous with eLearning. In 1924, an intelligence testing machine was invented called the ‘Automatic Teacher’ to allow students to test themselves without the need for a teacher.  Exactly thirty years later, this was followed by the invention of the ‘Teaching Machine’ by Harvard Professor, B. F. Skinner. However, it wasn’t until the following decade in the '60s when the world’s very first computer based training program was created and this became known as PLATO (Programmed Logic for Automated Teaching Operation).

When they were first created, eLearning systems simply delivered information to students via a computer but, as time progressed, they became more complex and interactive, allowing students to communicate with the program rather than just reading information off a screen. In the UK, eLearning really came into its own when the Open University started using online systems to deliver courses to students. Previously, they had had to post course materials out to students and all interactions with tutors and teachers were carried out by mail too.

As it drew closer to the information age, the invention of the computer and the internet boosted the capabilities of eLearning. As computers were mass marketed and became more popular in homes and schools, eLearning allowed education and knowledge to be accessible to anyone with a computer, regardless of whether they could afford further education, where the lived or how much time they had. By the start of millennium, businesses also began to see the benefits of using eLearning for training employees.

Today, eLearning is as popular as it’s ever been and with the likes of YouTube, Skype, iTunes U and Massive Open Online Courses (MOOG), it’s never been easier or more fun to engage in eLearning. There’s no knowing where the technology will take us.

The History of eLearning
Year	Key Events
1924	The first intelligence testing machine – Automatic Teacher
1954	The first Teaching Machine
1960	CBT - PLATO
1966	Computer Aided Instruction in schools
1969	Precursor to the Internet created - ARPANET
1970	Computer mouse & GUI invented
1980	Computers begin to be mass marketed
1990	First digital natives born (i.e. people born with computer access)
2000	Businesses adopt eLearning
2010	Social websites boost online learning

 

By Laura Caldwell