Distance Education from 1965-1970  − 10 June, 2007

1965-

s The Wide Range Vocabulary Test, one of the first computer generated tests offered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS) was given to 1212 entering freshmen at the University of Iowa. This test started the discussion of offering college entrance exams via the computer. Richards (1966) states that “with thorough application of existing computer technology, it would be entirely feasible, in principle, to automate all aspects of college admittance testing” (11).

s National Instructional Television Library, a US Department of Education project in is renamed the National Center for School and College Television. The center moved from New York to Indiana University Bloomington and was funded by the institution.

s Jennie Lee is appointed the Minister of Art by Prime Minister Harold Wilson. Her primary focus in this role was to look into the idea of the “University of the Air.” Prime Minister Wilson’s idea for the “University of the Air” came from distance education programs offered in Chicago and in Russia. The foundation of Wilson’s idea founded around the creation of a fourth television channel. Lee appoints an Advisory Committee to investigate the feasibility of the project.

1966-

s University of the Air, a Canadian television show featuring college professor lectures, debuted and remained on the air until 1983.

s Lee’s Advisory Committee publishes a White Paper on the “University of the Air” where the group wanted to ensure that the educational project would provide an institution that would grant degrees rather than just being considered an educational entity with no

1967-

s A Planning Committee for an open university in the UK was created “‘to work out a comprehensive plan for an open university’” (History of the Open University).

s The National Center for School and College Television is renamed the National Instructional Television Center

s Walter Perry, the first Vice-Chancellor for the Open University, was appointed.

1969-

s The Open University receives its Royal Charter on April 23^rd.

s Staff for The Open University went from approximately 12 individuals in Belgrave Square to 70 to 80 staff members in Milton Keynes.

s Prospectuses for Open University course are published though courses will not start until 1971.

s A consortium of 10 liberal arts colleges originally called The Union for Research and Experimentation in Higher Education changes its name to The Union for Experimenting Colleges and Universities. The Union’s goal is to “goal of providing innovative higher education alternatives to working adults.” (Union Insitute and University).

s Arpanet makes first network connection between UCLA and the host computer in August of 1969. By December, four sites were a part of the network: UCLA,  the Stanford Research Center, University of California at Santa Barbara, and University of Utah.

1970-

s National Instructional Television Center becomes a self-supporting entity. Eventually, this organization will become the Agency for Instructional Technology.

Hauben, M. ARPANET -- The first internet. Retrieved on June 2, 2007 from http://www.livinginternet.com/i/ii_arpanet.htm.

History of the Open University. Retrieved on June 2, 2007 from http://www.mcs.open.ac.uk/80256EE9006B7FB0/(httpAssets)/F4D49088F191D0BF80256F870042AB9D/$file/History+of+the+Open+University.pdf.

Open University. Retrieved on June 2, 2007 from http://www.politics.co.uk/printerfriendly.aspx?itemid=366626.

Richards, J. M. Jr. (1966, October). Can computers write college admissions tests? American College Testing Program Research Report. Retrieved on June 1, 2007 from http://www.act.org/research/reports/pdf/ACT_RR15.pdf.

Shelton, Jennifer (2001). 1971: U.K. Open University opens its doors. In Daniel Schugurensky (Ed.), History of Education: Selected Moments of the 20th Century [online]. Retrieved on June 2, 2007 from http://fcis.oise.utoronto.ca/~daniel_schugurensky/assignment1/1971ukou.html

The history of the faculty. Retrieved on June 2, 2007 from http://www.mcs.open.ac.uk/__80256ee9006bbd48.nsf/(httpPages)/9056a79ed86dea4380256eeb004f4caa?OpenDocument&ExpandSection=1.

Union Institute and University. Union’s unique and distinguished history. Retrieved on June 2, 2007 from http://www.tui.edu/history/unique.asp.

Comments:

DistEd (June 10, 2007. 09:06pm)

Cara Bernstein

When considering the short time period between 1965 and 1970, I think one of the biggest factors in the role between education and technology was government. When considering some of the major advances in distance education, this time period helped to shape the beginnings of government provided and supported educational factors. Whether it was in the United States, Canada, or the UK, the age of awareness for the need for new distance education opportunities for the population became prevalent. The United States and Canada made great strides in helping to bring education to the masses as a part of the developing television systems with the creation of public educational television. The UK investigated and ultimately created the Open University which is still providing educational opportunities to this day. Without the support of the government, whether in providing vision or resources, distance education may not have seen the great amount of growth that it did.

One of the biggest challenges of this period between education and technology were the general public misunderstandings of technology and how it can be appropriately utilized. Many of the articles that I read during this assignment mentioned the public opinion with regard to providing education using technology. A reference in Richards (1966) report mentioned a “1984” mentality. Additionally, especially with regard to the Open University project, the public opinion that distance education was not as prestigious as attending a university also had an impact. The misunderstanding of the capabilities of technology was one of the major challenges that the distance education field had to face.