Educational technology refers to instructional use of technology in educational settings. [1] Early forms included visual aids like photographs and films. [2] Radio was used in schools in the 1920s-1930s but lacked fit with curriculum. [3] Television was a focus in 1950s-1960s but equipment costs hindered widespread adoption. [4] Computers began impacting education in 1960s but were too expensive until 1980s when microcomputers allowed broader use.

1. History of Education
Technology
Barrios, María de las Mercedes
UTN – Informática
April 2013

2. What is educational technology?
The term Educational technology refers to
the instructional use of technology in
educational settings.
Technology comprises computers,
television, and other kinds of electronic
hardware and software.

3. History of Education Technology
Early 1900
Visual instruction was originally used:
Three-dimensional objects
Photographs
Silent films
Audiovisual Education appeared later.
Sound was added to film and audio recordings

4. The era of visuals
1905- School museums were 1910- Silent films were
the first administrative produced for instructional use.
organization to manage
It was sparingly used by
instructional media.
teachers because of
Its purpose was to collect and
lack of skill in using the
loan:
equipment
the cost of the films and
Films equipment
Photographs inaccessibility of equipment
Charts when it was needed
the time involved in finding
the right film for each class.

5. The Radio
1920- Commercial and educational stations started.
1923- Commercial stations provided radio
programming to schools.
1925-1935 Peak activity for radio use.
The radio did not have a great impact on schools.
In the beginning, poor audio reception and the cost of
equipment were obstacles to use.
The lack of fit between the broadcasts and teachers’
instructional agendas led to the abandon of radios in the
classrooms when television became available.

6. Television
 TV was the focus of attention during the 1950s and ‘60s.
 Television channels for educational purposes appeared.
Disadvantages:
Schools found it difficult the purchase
and maintenance of equipment.
It proved nearly impossible to broadcast instruction
when individual teachers needed it.
 By the 1970s much of the enthusiasm for instructional
television had been exhausted.

7. The Era of Computers
 The next technology to capture the interest of educators was the
computer.
 1950s & 1960s computers had little impact on schools because it was
difficult and expensive to house the huge machines in schools.
 19760s & 1970s CAI- Computer-assisted programs developed by
Gordon Pask.
The computer could keep track of student’s work and provide a record of
each student’s progress for the teacher. Teachers were skeptical of the
new medium.
 1980s- the appearance of microcomputers made educators enthusiastic
about computers.
CALL: Computer-based materials for language teaching were developed.
40% of elementary schools and 75% of secondary schools in the US had
computers.
The ratio of computers to students was five to one.

8. The Era of Computers
 1981- IBM was the first to develop a PC.
- The first educational drill and practice programs
were developed for personal computers.
 1983- The Apple II computer found widespread
acceptance in education because PCs better fitted the
teacher model of instruction.
 1990- Multimedia PCs were developed. Schools
started using videodiscs.
 1995/96- Use of Internet in schools.

9. Technology currently used in the
classroom in the early XXI
Class website
Class blogs and wikis
Wireless classroom microphones
Mobile devices
Interactive Whiteboards
Digital Games
Online media
Podcasts
Digital cameras
LCD projectors

10. Bibliography
 “History, the History of Computers, and the
History of Computers in Education” [online].
Retrieved on April 13th, 2013
from http://www.csulb.edu/~murdock/histofcs.html
 Wikipedia (Revised on April 21st, 2013)
“Educational Technology”. Retrieved on April13th,
2013
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
Educational_technology#Technology_in_the_classr

11. Bibliography
 Answers
“School Technology in Education” [online].
Retrieved on April 13th, 2013 from
http://www.answers.com
/topic/school-technology-in-education
 eHow mom
“The History of computers in schools” [online].
Retrieved on April 13th, 2013 from
http://www.ehow.com/about_5491373_history-computers
-school.html