The Evolution of Educational Technology

Today's technological advances have brought great impact into the classroom. Digital projectors, overheads, and the traditional white board have done great work in providing us with the basic framework of a learning environment, but the evolution of the internet is where today's youth is getting most of their money's worth of knowledge from. 

The accumulation of internet technology provides, in essence, more information than textbooks, professors, or standardized testing could provide. Of course, the factor of user intelligence comes into play when discussing how much actual learning vs. mindless information is being absorbed. 

Let's look at the infographic shown below.. We've come a long way since 1635- the creation of the first public school in the US. From there, we've evolved with the invention of the modern library, the modern pencil, the QWERTY keyboard, to the appearance of the first personal computers in school in 1977. 

In 1997, distance learning is offered by approximately 78% of public 4 year accredited universities. 

A poll taken in 2007 shows that 1 in 5 college students are taking an online course. With impressive adaptive learning technologies that online learning programs provide, it's an easy choice when one considers and weighs all the benefits with a traditional classroom experience. 

As a breakthrough, in NYC, public schools offered 2,000 iPads to students and teachers in attempt to increase learning efficiency rates. With the ease of access to educational technology, education is steadily evolving and impacting the learning environment, one click at a time.

We've all been sitting in classrooms since the early 90's, and frankly, some specific subjects can be learned easier with a instructor/student interaction (dance composition, theater and the arts, etc), while others simply do not deserve the hours worth of complexity and nonsense.... What's your take on this? 

Where do you see the future of education going?

Is it safe to say that physical libraries will be no more in the coming decade? 

Sources:

http://www.siliconrepublic.com/innovation/item/28496-evolution-of-educational/