The beginnings of distance learning
Posted: Sun Jan 05, 2025 7:05 am
If we go back in time, the idea of providing distance learning dates back to the 19th century . In fact, as early as 1840, Sir Isaac Pitman, a British teacher, began offering correspondence courses to learn shorthand. Students sent their exercises by mail, and Pitman corrected them before returning them with his comments and advice. This was the beginning of a long history of exchanges between teachers and learners, without being physically present in the same place.
Radio and records as broadcast media
With the advent of new communication technologies such as telegraphy accounting directors email lists and radio, distance learning took off at the beginning of the 20th century. Thus, as early as the 1920s, some American universities offered educational programs broadcast by post or radio stations, the first "Massive Open Online Courses" (MOOCs) of the time. This trend continued in the 1930s with the appearance of the first audio and video media, such as records or film reels, which allowed teachers to record and broadcast their courses.
The rapid development of technologies
The mid-20th century was marked by a rapid rise in technology . Many advances have thus enabled the democratization and development of distance learning. Among these notable technological advances, we can cite:
improving the quality of audio and video systems;
the creation of the first telephone lines for exchanges between teachers and students;
microcomputers and software dedicated to interactive learning,
the development of the Internet and Web 2.0, with an evolution towards virtualized and collaborative exchange platforms
Radio and records as broadcast media
With the advent of new communication technologies such as telegraphy accounting directors email lists and radio, distance learning took off at the beginning of the 20th century. Thus, as early as the 1920s, some American universities offered educational programs broadcast by post or radio stations, the first "Massive Open Online Courses" (MOOCs) of the time. This trend continued in the 1930s with the appearance of the first audio and video media, such as records or film reels, which allowed teachers to record and broadcast their courses.
The rapid development of technologies
The mid-20th century was marked by a rapid rise in technology . Many advances have thus enabled the democratization and development of distance learning. Among these notable technological advances, we can cite:
improving the quality of audio and video systems;
the creation of the first telephone lines for exchanges between teachers and students;
microcomputers and software dedicated to interactive learning,
the development of the Internet and Web 2.0, with an evolution towards virtualized and collaborative exchange platforms