Evolution of Educational Technology 1870 - 2020 | History of Classroom Technology, Documentary video

The use of technology in education dates back 2500 years. Early tools included horn books in the colonial years, which were wooden paddles with printed lessons. Over time, further developments included the magic lantern in 1870, a precursor to the slide projector.

The 1920s saw the advent of radio for on-air classes. The overhead projector appeared in 1930, followed by the ballpoint pen in 1940 and headphones in 1950. The 1960s utilized overhead projectors for interactive discussions, and videotapes emerged in 1951. The Skinner teaching machine (1950s) combined teaching and testing, providing reinforcement. Later, the photocopier was introduced in 1959, and handheld calculators in 1972. The Scantron system, introduced by Michael Sokolsky in 1972, revolutionized test grading efficiency.

While computers existed since the 1930s, everyday use started in the 1980s with Toshiba's first mass-market laptop in 1985 and Apple's Macintosh in 1984. The World Wide Web, powered by HTML, took off in 1990, leading to a boom in research and communication by 1993. Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) were released by Apple in 1993. By 2009, 97% of classrooms had computers, with 93% having internet access, demonstrating widespread integration of technology.

Social media platforms like MySpace (2003), Facebook (2004), and Twitter (2007) have transformed communication and are now recognized as educational tools. Emerging technologies include biometrics, which will analyze student's physical and emotional states to tailor course material. Augmented reality glasses, like those rumored by Google, could overlay data onto reality for enhanced learning. Multi-touch surfaces, beyond just phones, could create collaborative workstations for students.