Macromedia is created − 1 January, 1992
Because there was so much growth during the early Nineties, I have highlighted some important milestones in each individual year.
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Authorware Inc. merges with MacroMind/ParaComp to create Macromedia. MacroMind specialized in animation software (Director) and ParaComp specialized in 3D imagery (Swivel 3D). Macromedia goes public only months after the merger and remains the leading purveyor of multimedia tools.
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Other Steps In Technology
- January 1992 -- The Internet Society, an international organization for coordination of the Internet, is founded.
- March 8, 1992 -- A computer virus called Michelangelo threatens to damage computers around the world.
- The U.S. Senate approves a program to fund the National Research and Education Network (NREN).
- There are 65 million personal computers in offices and homes.
(Source: InfoCulture: The Smithsonian Book)
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Other Steps In Virtual Learning Environments
- CAPA (Computer Assisted Personalized Approach) system was developed at Michigan State University. It was first used in a small (92 student) physics class in the Fall of 1992. Students accessed randomized (personalized) homework problems through telnet. [4]
- Convene International is founded by Jeffery Stein and Reda Athanasios to provide collaboration tools via the Internet.
- Convene International acquire Bizlink of North Carolina's Larry Allen to facilitate a rapid entry in building Internet communities.
- Open University (UK) installs FirstClass on a Mac server (reputed to be server license number 3) after an extensive evaluation of tools suitable to deliver online learning across Europe for the just-started JANUS project funded by the European Commission under the DELTA programme. (FirstClass was then a product of SoftArc in Ontario, Canada.)
- New York University's School of Continuing Education (SCE) introduces its Virtual College and develops a digital network to deliver courses to students. SCE uses Lotus Notes at least through 1997 for computer conferencing and to provide online computer laboratory access to student home PCs. [7] [8]
- Geometrix Data Systems founded. They produce the learning management system called Training Partner. http://www.trainingpartner.com
- LearnFrame of Draper, Utah founded. They initially produced online courseware and an authoring tool, and in 1995 developed Pinnacle Learning Manager, that accepted and managed courses from a wide variety of vendors.
- The MUD Institute (TMI/TMI-2) provides the TMI Mudlib and online environment for learning MUD programming, including e-mail, bulletin boards, shared file spaces, real time chat, and instant messaging.
- Terry Anderson coordinates net based “virtual conference” in conjunction with the 16th World Congress of the International Council for Distance Education. This project used email lists and Usenet groups distributed on the early Internet, Usenet, BitNet, and NetNorth. Reference: Anderson, T. & Mason, R. (1993). The Bangkok Project: New tool for Professional Development. American Journal of Distance Education, 7(2), 5-18.
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Sources:
Shedden, David (2004, Dec.). New Media Timeline (1990). Poynteronline Web Site, Retrieved Jan 26, 2007, from http://poynter.org/content/content_view.asp?id=75953&sid=26
History of virtual learning environments. Retrieved January 26, 2007, from Wikipedia Web site: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_virtual_learning_environments
