Navigating the Learning Technology Odyssey: 30 Years of Adventure

The Odyssey, written by Homer, primarily focuses on water journeys as Odysseus, the hero, tries to return home after the Trojan War involving exploration and survival, numerous challenges, mythical creatures, and gods who either help or hinder his progress.

In modern times,  Odessey refers to a long and eventful journey, often filled with challenges, personal growth, discovery, perseverance, transformation, and survival of numerous challenges, mythical creatures, and gods who either help or hinder progress. Sound familiar?

Our “odyssey” has been a 30-year journey through the evolution of learning technologies, filled with milestones, innovations, and lessons that have shaped the future of education.  I’m sure you all have your own amazing stories of champions of educational change.  When we reviewed the 30 years of abstracts from OEB’s beginning we discovered over 80 technology innovations were mentioned and thousands of courageous experiments pointing to trends.

The 90s: Embarking on the Digital Voyage: Exploring the early days of learning technologies as the journey begins.

In 1989, Tim Berners-Lee’s invention of the World Wide Web (WWW), a system of hypertext documents that popularized the internet for the public – this set education on a transformative course. Like Odysseus setting sail on his epic journey, educators of the 1990s entered uncharted waters, uncertain of what lay ahead but driven by the potential of a new digital frontier. The WWW revolutionized how knowledge was shared, accessed, dismantling the physical walls of classrooms and opening up global learning opportunities. The very first massive ‘learning’ prompt?

The introduction of Learning Management Systems (LMS), such as WebCT in 1995 and later Blackboard, allowed educators to facilitate an integrated approach to distribute materials, facilitate discussions, and assess students online, marking the early steps toward the future of online education. Navigation in these systems was rarely smooth. Dial-up modems and slow connections were some of the technical hurdles of the time, making the digital journey feel like battling the whirlpools of Charybdis.

Innovations like CD-ROMs and  DVDs from 1995 provided educators with a means to offer multimedia content in a portable format, giving students access to rich learning resources like never before. These moves towards interactive learning, combined with early digital assessment tools like Questionmark, allowed for more dynamic and efficient education.

Innovations that Changed the Game

As more tools became available, the possibilities for enhanced learning expanded rapidly. Instant messaging services such as AOL’s AIM and MSN Messenger in 1999, along with the rise of SMS texting, revolutionized communication, enabling students and educators to connect in real-time. Web browsers like Netscape and search engines such as Yahoo and Altavista brought the wealth of the internet’s growing knowledge to users’ fingertips, empowering learners to conduct independent research and challenging many a ‘status quo’.

The availability of USBs made transferring and storing educational materials easier, and PDAs offered early glimpses of mobile computing, allowing students and teachers to access their notes and schedules on the go. As the tools to connect and learn became more portable, the journey toward digital education and remote picked up speed.

Meanwhile, virtual plagiarism detection tools like Turnitin appeared, helping educators safeguard academic integrity in this increasingly digital landscape. This brought a new level of accountability, and some argue, transparency, to the learning process.

Distance Learning Flourishes

The Open University in the UK first taught a huge course called ‘Introduction to Information Technology: social and technological issues’ in 1988 which one of our authors (Gilly)  studied in its first year! Her eyes were on the horizon from then on! During the 90s, distance learning gained traction, buoyed by the increasing reliability of online tools. Much like Odysseus finding his way home, these technologies enabled education to reach learners across vast distances, in much greater numbers. In 1997, for the first time in his life, another one of our authors (Wilfred) took an online course ‘Using the Internet’, offered by Foothill College in California. The main medium for this was e-mail. Can you remember where your odyssey began – I’m sure you can!

More Connected Learning Environments

The late 90s also saw a significant leap in domestic Wi-Fi technology, with the introduction of the 802.11b standard. This development meant that learners could access educational resources from their homes and workplaces without being tethered, increasing the flexibility and convenience of online learning.

Additionally, webcams and early forms of Voice over IP (VoIP), like those pioneered by Cisco and Vocaltec, allowed for virtual communication and online collaboration, setting the stage for future online classrooms. These technologies helped bridge the gap between remote learners and their institutions, starting to simulate the experience of in-person learning and adding additional values,  in digital spaces. This was an important trend when  the global pandemic hit  but that is for another two  decades into the journey!

Lessons from the Odyssey

Much like Odysseus’ trials on his journey home, the 90s were a decade of exploration, experimentation, and adaptation for educators. There were moments of uncertainty and plenty of obstacles, from slow dial-up connections to scepticism about the effectiveness of digital learning. But these challenges also led to great discoveries—ones that pointed toward a future where education was no longer confined to locations but could take place anywhere, anytime.

As we reflect on the first decade of learning technologies, it’s clear that the 90s marked the start of an epic digital voyage. With tools enabling experimentation guiding the way, educators and researchers set a course toward more accessible and innovative education. The possibilities seemed as vast as the ocean itself, with only the horizon as a limit.

Feel like more adventure?

Professor Gilly Salmon and Wilfred Rubens and 8 other adventurous colleagues from around the world invite you to complete your time at OEB24 with a collaborative workshop called ‘The Trend is your Friend’ to explore all these ideas and more with others. 4-5.30pm on Friday 29^th November.

Look out for the next two chapters in this ‘trilogy’!

“The New Century: Navigating the Seas of Innovation” 

Charting the new territories in learning technologies as they became integrated and widespread.

“The 2010- 2024: Weathering the Waves”

Riding the surge of mobile and personalised learning advancements, adapting to new challenges for now. A quick look ahead to the unknown waters of future trends and technologies.

Written for OEB Global 2024 by Gilly Salmon and Wilfred Rubens.