Tech Through the Years by

1960s - Libraries as the Original Internet

jen2194774 — 2025-05-27 16:53:34 UTC

Shhh! Silence in the library. The school library was the hub of knowledge, with no classroom tech, only the Dewey Decimal System to navigate information. For Joyce, going to school in the 60s meant researching any information that was needed through the library. Learning to research using physical books helped students with critical thinking, patience, and curiosity. Joyce explained how this research impacted her and provided a deeper understanding about how equity isn't just about access but about teaching students how to think deeply and independently. Having the patience to search for the answers to questions is something students may lack today.

1960s - Filmstrips and the Static of Spark Learning

jen2194774 — 2025-05-27 16:53:39 UTC

Dim lights, the slow clicking of the filmstrip projector, and a droning lecture. Joyce recalled that filmstrips were the most "high-tech" classroom tool in her education. The teacher would dim the lights, press a button, and go slide by slide while reading from a script. Although these are outdated now, filmstrips were early multi-media efforts of learning in the 60s. It provided visual stimulation and lectures, but due to the lack of interactivity, students were often bored. Joyce provided an example of a history lesson that was taught to her through the use of filmstrips, she remembers the majority of her classmates falling asleep during this particular lesson. This reminds us that engagement with instruction is important for students to fully grasp the content.

1980s - Typing into the Future

jen2194774 — 2025-05-27 16:54:29 UTC

Click, Click, Ding! Melinda remembers the rhythmic clacking of the typewriter keys in her high school typing class. The electric typewriter was standard in the 80s. It helped students build a skill that would carry over into both college as well as careers. This class gave Melinda an advantage, especially as computers became more standard within the workplace in the 1990s. Typing was one of the first tech-based skills taught within schools and prepared Melinda for a career in an office to help support her growing family.

1980s - The Original Smartboard

jen2194774 — 2025-05-27 16:54:34 UTC

The whirring hum of overhead projectors lit up the classroom. Melinda recalls how teachers used the transparent sheets to help display notes and even diagrams. This allowed students to follow along clearly and take notes more efficiently. This helped visual learners and found its place in the traditional classroom. They can be compared to today's slideshows; however, overheads were analog and created a more visual engagement. Melida found these overhead projections helpful when learning in class, the visual appeal and ability to take notes at a different pace helped her to thrive in the classroom environment.

2000s - Learning through Play

jen2194774 — 2025-05-27 17:28:03 UTC

Zip, Zap, Zoom. It's math time soon! In the early 2000s, schools were introducing computer labs as well as new software, such as Math Blasters. This software made learning more like a game and made math fun and interactive. Mackenzie fondly remembers Math Blaster as a first introduction to computer-based learning in elementary school. This tool engaged digital narratives and created a positive association with learning new concepts. Games such as this help with student motivation, and new versions can still be used today to help provide a fun way to learn that feels more like a game to children rather than a lecture.

2010s - From Group Projects to Global Collaboration

jen2194774 — 2025-05-27 17:39:32 UTC

Dun, Dun, Dun, Dun....Most of us dreaded the group projects in school, or at least I sure did. Mackenzie, however, shared that due to the new development of things like Google Docs, group projects have become a fun and interactive way to collaborate with more peers and in a quicker fashion. This makes for a huge transformation in the dreaded group projects. Work can become smoother and help develop a better sense of digital citizenship. There is real-time editing as well as commenting, creating an environment better suited for teamwork and collaboration. With this kind of technology, teamwork can be streamlined and help develop college and career-ready communication skills.