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Classrooms 100 Years Ago
Classrooms consisted of a single room with desks, chairs, and a blackboard -
Radios
Radios have made it into the classroom. This is the first time communication outside of written and oral has entered the classroom. Introduction of the radio into classrooms reflects this time period's dependance on radio for communication between individuals and with the government. Video link to Roosevelt's Fireside Chats: http://www.history.com/topics/fireside-chats -
Overhead Projectors
Teachers begin using overhead projectors in the classroom to display data. Overhead projectors are used to display visuals to an audience. -
Whiteboards
Whiteboards begin to replace chalk and blackboard. Whiteboards are less messy and easier to maintain, plus who ever wants to hear that dreadful 'nail-on-the-chalkboard' screen again? One way to use white boards is to gather enough mini-white boards for each student in your class. Questions will be proctored to the class and the students can write their answers. These are ideas on how to use mini-whiteboards in your classroom: http://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/lesson/lesson251.shtml -
Calculators
Texas Instruments develops first pocket electronic calculator. In 1975, the National Advisory Committee on Mathematical Education issued a report on calculators, stating that those in eighth grade and above should have access to them for all class work and exams. This notion is debated today; many argue students have become overdependent on calculators. -
Scantrons
Scantrons are introduced as a replacement for traditional testing. A Scantron is a machine-readable paper form in which students bubble in their answers on fixed answer questions. The test is scored by running the sheet through an optical mark recognition imaging scanner. This event changed testing to make it more efficient for larger populations and less likely to result in grading error. Currently, Scantron Corporation operates in 98% of the US school districts. -
Laptops
Toshiba released its first marketable consumer laptop in 1985. Laptops have without question changed the way individuals learn today, even outside of the classroom. Not only has this affected how we learn, but also how we share ideas and research. Laptops are a great way to engage students, this video explaining ways to use laptops in the classsroom: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZteCcs4_c -
1990
CD-ROMs began to replace floppy disks and offer a more storage space and efficiency -
Smartboards
The Smart Board interactive whiteboard that uses touch detection and user imput and functions as part of a system that uses the interactive whiteboard, a computer, a projector and whiteboarding software. This is a sophistication of the projector and is much more user oriented. This video is a short tutorial on how to use the board and ideas for the classroom: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FyKsWVV-tCM -
First Online Highschool
Currently, hybrid and online courses are a routine part of school. 1994 marks the founding of the first online school. This idea has grown exponentially since, students can take online classes and even receive a full online education This has leveled the playing field for students who want an education. School online means students can access learning from anywhere they have internet and a device. -
Internet Access
99% of American public schools have internet access. This does not include whether students have internet access at home. Even today, this is still an issue, while it is not as common, students without internet access at home are at a disadvantage. -
Ebooks
At the start of 2012, more ebooks were sold online than were distributed in hardcover. E-text books are so common today, almost every book is offered in an online version. Ebooks save paper and students do not have to carry around heavy textbooks throughout the day.
