This document summarizes the history of notable technology developments affecting instruction and instructional design over the past 100,000 years. It discusses the development of language approximately 100,000 years ago, the advent of writing around 5,000 years ago, the printing press in 1450, early 20th century innovations like school museums and instructional films, the rise of technologies like radio, audiovisual equipment, and instructional television, the introduction of desktop computers in the 1980s and the Internet in the 1990s, and tools used in today's digitally-connected classrooms like tablets, laptops, and smartphones. The document concludes by noting increasing emphasis on online and distance education is driving demand for skilled instructional designers.

1. A History of Notable Technology
Developments Affecting Instruction
and Instructional Design
Cale Koester
IDT7052 Project 1 - Fall 2014

2. image source: http://www.d.umn.edu/~jfitzake/Lectures/DMED/SpeechLanguage/LanguageImage.jpg
~100,000 yrs ago - Language
While it is still debated when it first surfaced (thought to be at least 100,000 years ago), the development
of symbolic language is thought to have formed the "basis of human knowledge.” (Wilder & Ferris, 2006)

3. image source: http://historyhaven.com/APWorldipedia/images/c/c9/Cuniform.jpg
~5,000 yrs ago - Writing
Writing dramatically changed the ways people thought and passed on information, and was said to
have “restructured human consciousness” as we “moved from a sound-based to vision-based
culture” (Wilder & Ferris, 2006)

4. image source: http://happypress.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/gutenbergpress.jpg
1450 - Printing Press
This development began an information revolution by allowing print to become widespread and democratized.
Scholars were more easily able to transmit and build upon existing information. (Wilder & Ferris, 2006)

5. image source: http://www.education.miami.edu/ep/time%20exposures/html/time_exposure_5.html
1900 - School Museums
The precursors to modern day media centers, early 20th century “school museums” collected
instructional materials focused on “visual instruction”. (Reiser & Dempsey, 2012)

6. image source: http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/images/reviews/190/1359231546_1.jpg
1910-1930 - Instructional Films
Predicted by Thomas Edison to obsolete books, by 1910 more than 1,000 films were being made available for
classroom use. Despite increasing interest in “visual instructional media”, the use of films was limited by difficulties
and lack of support. (Reiser & Dempsey, 2012)

7. image source: http://84d1f3.medialib.glogster.com/media/39/3958c1ede838a95302c282988e6fe5d311429b0f0e0f17501409460a525caf54/radio-1921-630px-jpg.jpg
1920-1935 - Broadcast Radio
Spurred by the “audiovisual education” movement, schools in the 1920s began using educational broadcast radio
stations in the classroom. Lack of fit between programming and teacher agendas, as well as technical difficulties,
have been suggested as limiting factors. (Reiser & Dempsey, 2012)

8. image source: https://www.planning.org/pas/at60/img/150figure04.jpg
1940-1945 - Audiovisual instructional equipment
Devices and materials developed and used by the U.S. military (overhead projectors, film
projectors, slide projectors, audio equipment, etc) were utilized by schools for audiovisual
instruction. (Reiser & Dempsey, 2012)

9. image source: http://distance-educator.com/introduction-to-distance-education-educational-television-2/
1950s & 60s- Instructional Television
Instructional Television saw widespread use in 1950’s classrooms; however by the 1960’s, emphasis was shifted
away from classroom use and more towards broadcasting into homes. Like broadcast radio, factors such as lack
of integration and support have been posited as reasons for this abatement. (Reiser & Dempsey, 2012)

10. image source: http://www.edgalaxy.com/journal/2013/5/22/101-ideas-for-using-technology-in-the-classroom
1980s - Desktop Computers
As desktop computers were revolutionizing consumer society, many were optimistic about their use in the
classroom. As exciting as the prospect was, ultimately most software at this time was limited to drill & practice,
causing questions as to computers’ efficacy at transforming the classroom. (Reiser & Dempsey, 2012)

11. image source: http://www.edgalaxy.com/journal/2013/5/22/101-ideas-for-using-technology-in-the-classroom
1990s - The Internet
The internet opened up new opportunities for both students and teachers to take a more active role in the formation
of learning experiences. Navigating the wealth of information provides a challenge for teachers, however this same
wealth of information allowed students to become explorers and researchers in the classroom. (Marshall, 2002)

12. image source: http://www.securedgenetworks.com/Portals/80068/images/ipadin%20classroom.jpg
Present Day
Tablets and laptops with integrated cameras and software allow students to create projects and
incorporate their experiences through photography and film. The Internet and Web 2.0 tools
(blogs, wikis, etc) allow for constructing and sharing of projects and ideas. Increasing access
to technology allows for some fundamental shifts in the structure of the classroom (e.g., “flip”
classrooms). The prevalence of smartphones brings the concept of “BYOD”; enabling students
to extend the classroom by utilizing their personal devices. The portability and versatility of
these devices lend themselves well to supporting the Constructivist learning theory.

13. image source: http://chronicle.com/img/photos/biz/photo_7944_carousel.jpg
The future?
Increasing emphasis on online and distance education is prompting the
necessity for skilled instructional designers to ensure that the online delivery
of instruction can attain similar outcomes to traditional approaches.

14. References
• Marshall, J. M. (2002). Learning with Technology - Evidence that technology can, and does,
support learning [white paper]. San Diego State University. Retrieved from http://www.dcmp.org/
caai/nadh176.pdf
• Wilder, H. and Ferris, S. (2006). Communication Technology and the Evolution of Knowledge. The
Journal of Electronic Publishing, 9(2). Retrieved from http://quod.lib.umich.edu/j/jep/
3336451.0009.201?view=text;rgn=main
• Reiser, R.A., Dempsey, J.V. (2012). A History of Instructional Design and Technology. Trends and
Issues in Instructional Design and Technology (3rd Edition) (pp. 17-27). Boston , M.A.: Prentice-
Hall, Inc.