The Development of Instructional Technologies

	First Generation	Second Generation	Third Generation	Fourth Generation
Primary Feature	Predominantly one technology	Multiple technologies without computers	Multiple technologies including computers and computer networking	Multiple technologies including the beginning of high-bandwidth computer technologies
Timeframe	1850s to 1960	1960 to 1985	1985 to 1995	1995 to 2005 (est.)
Media	Print (1890+) Radio (1930s) Television (1950s and 1960s)	Audiocassettes Television Videocassettes Fax Print	Electronic mail, chat sessions, and bulletin boards using computers and computer networks Computer programs and resources packaged on disks, CDs, and the Internet Audio-conferencing Video-conferencing via satellite, cable, and phone technologies Fax Print	Electronic mail, chat sessions, and bulletin boards using computers and computer networks Computer programs and resources packaged on disks, CDs, and the Internet Desktop video conferencing via terrestrial, satellite, cable, and phone technologies Fax Print
Communication Features	Primarily one-way communication Interaction between faculty and student by telephone and mail Occasionally supplemented by onsite facilitators and student mentors	Primarily one-way communication Interaction between faculty and student by telephone and mail Occasionally supplemented by face-to-face meetings	Significant broadband communication from faculty to student via print, computer programs, and videoconferencing Two Interactive capabilities enabling asynchronous and synchronous communication between faculty and students and among students Internet good for text, graphics, and video snippets	Two-way interactive real-time capabilities of audio and video Asynchronous and synchronous communication between faculty and students and among students Full 30 frame-per-second digital video transmission with database of content resources available via the Internet and World Wide Web Lengthy digital video programming available on demand