The Future of Online Learning in Higher Education

A Brief History Of The Future

Suffice it to say that we in education have a rocky relationship with technology. Saettler (1990) who wrote the book, both figuratively and literally, on the history of American Educational Technology, details how various technologies have, over the years, been presented to educators as revolutionary and bound to change education as we know it. Moving from Edison’s introduction of film, to radio, television, computer-based education, to online learning and everything in between, technology has been heralded as both a savior to education and, in many cases, as a replacement for teachers. After a few decades of this, teachers at all levels became, rightfully in our opinion, somewhat nervous about technology. While it seems unlikely that technology will replace teachers (at least anytime soon), at present we agree with the widely attributed saying “any teacher who can be replaced by technology should be.” And even if technology is not going to replace teachers, but “merely” revolutionize education, professional educators have a vested interest in what happens with technology.