Mosaic is released  − 1 January, 1993

April 1993 -- Mosaic, the first graphical Web browser, is released by the National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA) at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Marc Andreessen leads the group of computer programmers who developed this browser.
(2003 News.com article)


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Other Steps In Technology

- The Internet Network Information Center (InterNIC) is started and a new arrangement for managing the Internet begins. InterNIC is supported by the National Science Foundation along with commercial companies such as AT&T. One of InterNIC's responsibilities is the registration of domain names for the Internet. (Examples: .com, .org, .net, .edu, and .gov)

- Intel introduces its Pentium computer chip.

- The first Microsoft Internet site is launched. It was designed to support FTP services and limited text-only Internet browsing.  

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 Other Steps In Virtual Learning Environments

- XT001 Renewable energy, a "landmark" experimental course developing techniques for collaborative and resource-based online learning at a distance, was the first "real" course to use FirstClass as its core online tool at the Open University.

- Convene International (a San Francisco collaboration and networking company that acquired Bizlink), contracted to work with University of Phoenix to develop the first large scale commercial product for use in Virtual Classrooms. Convene's unique characteristic enabled students to capture data and then work offline (at a time when people were often charged by the hour or minute for online time). University of Phoenix’ Thomas Bishop brands the product “ALEX” for Apollo Learning Exchange.”

- As Convene finishes the development of ALEX for University of Phoenix the pilot enrolment grows to 600 students within the first few months of implementation.

- Also in 1993, ALT - the Association for Learning Technology - was founded in the UK, initially with the assistance of a donation by BT.


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Sources:

Shedden, David (2004, Dec.). New Media Timeline (1993). 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

Comments:

jcolman (September 11, 2007. 08:53am)

Mmmmmmmmmmmm... Mosaic. I cut my first web pages using it. I remember thinking that it was just about the most awesome software ever. It singularly made ordered/unordered lists to become the most valuable communications tool for an entire generation! :)