| Early computer researchers sought ways to use the new invention for learning and teaching purposes. Instructional computing at that time took place on mainframes in the form of typing and reading text, but serious efforts were made to further utilize the computer power to serve education. Examples include the Programmed Logic for Automated Teaching Operations (PLATO) (Alpert & Bitzer, 1970) project, which managed to integrate text and graphics, and the Time-shared, Interactive, Computer-Controlled Information Television (TICCIT) (Merril, Schneider, & Fletcher 1980) project, which introduced the concept of learner-controlled instruction. A major advantage in such environments is the availability of information in the centralized system that was sharable by all users. The invention of microcomputers in the late ’70s made it possible for businesses, schools, and homes to enjoy computing. The new small size computers were not restricted to text, but allowed colored graphics, animation, and voice. Input became possible through the mouse, touch screens, scanners, and microphones, in addition, to the keyboard. Various forms of output became possible (in addition to the black-andwhite monitor) such as colored monitors, LCDs, colored printers, and speakers. Although at first the new computers were stand-alone and information could not be shared, networking solved this problem. In the late ’70s and early ’80s Apple computers were the first widely available microcomputers that had most of the early courseware, only to be superseded by IBM-compatible computers that gained wide popularity and continued to grow its market share up to present day. Network technologies allowed PCs to communicate and share information and processing power. At first, Local Area Networks (LANs) were developed followed by the Wide Area Networks (WANs), and then the Internet made of LANs and WANs started to grow rapidly. Today, millions of people use the Internet to pursue various businesses, pleasure, and learning activities. However, a major setback in computer- based instruction is the unavailability of tools that make use of the new multimedia technologies to develop the software. Developers tend to glue together various technologies to build the system and struggle to overcome the incompatibilities of software and hardware. |