Major Educational Advancements in Educational Technology

By threads
  • Khan Academy Widely Used

    Khan Academy Widely Used
    A free fully online educational system and tool used to supplement children's educations.
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    Rise of Mobile Learning and Cloud-Based Education

    Online programs have been established for some years now and the rapid expansion of the internet is rapidly changing education. Students are making use of online resources and systems to supplement their educations. Teachers begin directing students to try things like Khan Academy at home if they are struggling. Teachers also begin to make use of cloud based systems to distribute material to students with ease.
  • IPad Released

    IPad Released
    Apple launches the iPad and forward thinking teachers begin to integrate iPads into the classroom. Before long, schools begin to use their budgets to buy iPads for classroom use.
  • Canvas Launches

    Canvas Launches
    A web-based LMS (Learning Management System) designed to allow teachers and students communicate online while distributing and completing coursework.
  • Dropbox Reaches 50 Million Users

    Dropbox Reaches 50 Million Users
    Teachers have begun to make use of cloud based information sharing services like Dropbox to better facilitate material to their students.
  • Zoom Launches

    Zoom Launches
    Zoom launches, becoming an option for long distance meetings with low barrier of entry. It will later become one of the dominant methods of delivering instruction when the world is forced into quarantine due to the global pandemic in 2019-2021.
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    Growth of Blended Learning

    Learning Management Systems (LMS) become mainstream in schools across the country. Education becomes more accessible and flexible for anyone with access to the internet. Online collaboration programs become essential to completing schoolwork even when attending in person. The use of the internet and education are inseparable at this point.
  • Duolingo Launches

    Duolingo Launches
    Duolingo launches with a language learning model that is heavily gamified. It soon goes on to become one of the most popular language learning programs to this day.
  • Kahoot Launches

    Kahoot Launches
    A game-based learning platform designed to keep students engaged through competitive quiz taking. Teachers begin employing Kahoot to manage student's attention spans while not losing valuable instructional time.
  • Google Classroom Launched

    Google Classroom Launched
    Google launches Google Classroom, a free LMS designed for easy access of both teacher and student. Google classroom is used extensively by high schools, middle schools, and elementary schools across the United States.
  • Dreambox Launches its Adaptive Math Curriculum

    Dreambox Launches its Adaptive Math Curriculum
    Dreambox launches its first use of adaptive learning for students in middle school to improve math scores.
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    Gamification of Education and the Introduction to Adaptive Learning Platforms

    Many educational programs, both old and new, have integrated gamification into their programs. These methods are aimed at engaging students in ways that they find fun, thus increasing the options and length of delivering education. Some programs begin the use of adapted learning to personalize student's learning to areas that may need more attention. This use of adapted learning steers students towards filling gaps in their education easily and in real-time.
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    Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics Ramp Up

    Artificial intelligence starts to rapidly progress as computing power increases. More companies begin to experiment with AI in an effort to improve their respective fields and markets, including education. In turn, the power of data analytics in education takes hold. Statistics and data are being used to predict and improve students performance, providing teachers with tools to address trends and needs that were previously unseen.
  • Google Hangouts Launches

    Google Hangouts Launches
    Later rebranding to Google Meet, Google launches their version of video conferencing with Google Hangouts. An array of options is beginning to form in the video conferencing world.
  • Microsoft Teams Launches

    Microsoft Teams Launches
    Microsoft enters the video conferencing space with Microsoft Teams. Schools now have many options for delivery of long distance and blended instruction.
  • Quizlet is reported to be used by half of the students in the United States

    Quizlet is reported to be used by half of the students in the United States
    An online flash card system to help students study reports that 1 in 2 students in high school have used Quizlet. An example of online resources replacing traditional supplementation of student education.
  • PowerSchool Launches "Performance Matters"

    PowerSchool Launches "Performance Matters"
    After acquiring another company, PowerSchool launches a data-driven analytics program for K-12 schools designed to assess students in real-time.
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    The Age of Remote Learning

    Ushered in by a global pandemic, the age of remote learning begins. Schools and programs turn to programs that allow education to continue from a distance while isolating. Programs like Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams skyrocket in usage as the world turns to a standstill.
  • Socratic by Google Launches

    Socratic by Google Launches
    Google launches an AI tool called Socratic that helps students with homework. One of many AI tools launched in this time, it utilizes artificial intelligence to answer questions or provide learning materials for students and their questions about their school work.