1970s: Early Adoption of Technology
- Television and Radio: These were among the first technologies used for adult education, primarily for broadcasting lectures and courses.
- Audiovisual Aids: Filmstrips, slides, and overhead projectors (single vs multi-bank ones)were used to enhance learning experiences.
- Educational TV Series: Television stations started offering topic-specific programmes for schools
1980s: The Rise of Personal Computers
- Computer-Assisted Instruction (CAI): Early forms of CAI software were developed, providing interactive learning experiences. It also also known as Computer-Based Training (CBT) or Computer-Based Learning (CBL). From floppy disks to interactive videodiscs and VHS video-cassettes.
- Distance Learning: Existing distance learning by postal mail programs began to use computers to supplement.
1990s: The Internet Revolution
- Multimedia Learning, eLearning, Online Learning : Many names evolved during this period. The internet enabled the development of online courses. CD-ROM became a medium for storing the learning content.
- eLearning and mLearning became the darlings: There was a strong push for technology-only delivery of content for learning. It was a farce - did not live up to the hype.
- Email and Forums: These tools facilitated communication among learners.
2000s: E-Learning and Mobile Learning
- Blended Learning: When technology alone failed to deliver the results, the term blended learning was added to the big basket of new terms, though it has the same meaning as CAI. Experimenters realised that buzz words and fads sell.
- Learning Management Systems (LMS): Dedicated platforms for online learning were developed, offering a wider range of courses and features. Management needed reports to account for the training expenditure to qualify for grants / tax incentives. Governance is another big drive for adopting an LMS. Learners were told what to learn, when to learn and how to learn.
- Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs): MOOCs gained popularity, providing free or low-cost access to high-quality education. That started the drive towards the business of learning - profits over impact of performance at workplace.
- Mobile 1st Applications: The rise of smartphones and tablets led to the development of mobile 1st apps and platforms. Mobile learning still has not taken off because learning 'affordances' are limited in a small screen.
2010s: Advanced Technologies and Immersive Learning
- Augmented Reality (AR): AR technologies started and widely used to provide contextualised information for entertainment, tourist locations and subsequently for just-in-time on demand learning. Immersive learning experiences - Virtual Reality (VR) exploded on scene especially in fields like military, medical, and fire-fighting and engineering. Do retail industries need to pay expensively for VR?
- Gamification: Game-based learning elements were incorporated into educational content to enhance engagement. Justification for gamification is the lack of motivation. There is no clear explanation for why there is a lack of motivation. Instead, pedagogical strategies invaded andragogical needs, sadly.
2020s: The Future of Adult Learning
- Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning: AI-powered tools are the latest shinny objects. Like all previous technological promises of the past, it is about technology and that technology is the answer to the learning. Previous promises failed to bring significant impact in the workplace thus far. Only when the andragogical and learning experts are part of the AI movement will the real impact be felt.
- Blockchain: Blockchain technology may be used to verify credentials and ensure the authenticity of educational content.
- Metaverse: Immersive virtual worlds could offer new opportunities for social learning and collaboration. Does it? This (like VR) creates a parallel universe, not the real one. Young people are already struggling with anxiety dealing with real world communication due to social media. Metaverse will amplify it even more.
The evolution of technology in adult learning has been rapid and transformative. It has also been problematic. There is still a shortage of employable skills for the industries. Employers are still struggling with the same issues from 30 years ago.
