History of Educational Delivery Systems and Why They Are Important
The History of Educational Delivery Systems
The desire to make learning process easier, faster, effective, and less expensive can be traced way back in when man started developing tools. The early man used painting on cave walls to easily communicate with large number of people. The using of paints was followed by the development of duplicating machines like Gestetner stencil that were used to create short copy runs used in classrooms in the early 20th century. However, it was not until the end of the first decade of the 20th century that media and modern technologies were used for instructional purposes in learning institutions (AECT, 2001). Education delivery systems like educational films and Sydney’s mechanical teaching machines were introduced in 1900s and 1920s respectively. Education delivery systems were also used during the World War II, especially to train soldiers.
The most advanced education delivery system started emerging in the mid of the 20th century. For instance, slide projectors were introduced in 1950s while delivery systems like Cuisenaire rods were widely adopted in the same period. The use of computer in the education sector started in 1960s when educationists like professor Patrick Suppes used it to teach arithmetic as well as spellings through teletypes. Consequently, in late 20th century, computer-based learning became common. It was also during the same period that the use of the internet and communication technologies was adopted as delivery systems in education sector. As a result, there was the development of e-learning, which is also known as e-learning (AECT, 2001). At the same time, teleconferencing also became popular towards the end of the 20th century. Videoconferencing that is currently popular was introduced in the beginning of the 21st century. Currently, there are a number of education delivery systems that are used to facilitate learning.
Delegate your assignment to our experts and they will do the rest.
Importance of Education Delivery Systems
One of the main importance of education delivery systems is that they make learning easy and convenient. Currently, there is no need for learners to carry many books and other learning materials. Education delivery systems like computer systems can be used to store volumes of learning materials. At the same time, now learners do not have to travel long distance in search of education. Distance learning systems make it possible for people to learn at the comfort of their homes or offices without the need to travel to physical classrooms (Blouin et al ., 2009). E-learning also give people who have other commitment like work to enhance their knowledge and skills, as they can conveniently schedule their learning. Learning is no longer restricted to the physical classrooms due to the availability of the education delivery systems.
Apart from enhancing the convenience of learning, education delivery systems help in reducing the cost of education. For instance, e-learning system significantly reduced accommodation, traveling, and tuition fees. As a result, many people are now able to afford and access quality education because of the reduced cost. At the same time, with reduced cost of learning, there will be increased equality in accessing education, as even people from poor background will be able to afford education (Blouin et al ., 2009).
In addition, education delivery systems are important because they help in improving the quality of education. The systems can be used to visualize abstract concepts, offer visual phenomena that are not visible, enhance collaboration in classrooms, and helps in the presentation of contents or topic in a more engaging manner (Blouin et al ., 2009). Consequently, they help in improving the productivity and effectiveness of instructors while at the same time reducing teaching time. The systems also help in addressing different learning styles, leading to improved quality of learning.
References
Blouin, R. A., Riffee, W. H., Robinson, E. T., Beck, D. E., Green, C., Joyner, P. U., ... & Pollack, G. M. (2009). Roles of innovation in education delivery. American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education , 73(8).
The Association of Education Communication and Technology (AECT). (2001). History Of Distance Education. Retrieved from https://www.aect.org/edtech/ed1/13/13-02.html
