My earliest memories of ed tech in the classroom date back to 1994, when I was in grade 4, just as the internet was beginning to emerge. Back then, ed tech was pretty basic, used for learning tasks like speed typing games or researching the Encyclopedia Britannica on CD-ROM. While I recall hearing about the internet, it wasn’t integrated into classroom teaching until much later. Even in high school during the early 2000s, computers remained supplementary tools rather than central to learning. I assumed Weller’s history of educational technology would align with these memories, perhaps starting earlier with pre-internet computers in the 1980s. However, Weller’s decision to start his exploration in 1994 made sense once he explained that this was when the internet began to truly impact education.
As I progressed through Weller’s book, I was surprised to learn that Sir Tim Berners-Lee, a single scientist at CERN, was the actual creator of the internet. Despite the internet’s profound impact on every aspect of our lives, including education, I had never heard of him. I always assumed the internet was the product of corporate innovation, not the vision of one man. This realisation made me reflect not just on my own ignorance but also on how easily we overlook the creators of the technologies we depend on daily. It’s unsettling to realise that I know more about the Kardashian family—despite never having watched them on television—than about the person who invented something that has transformed humanity. Thankfully, Weller’s insights into the history of ed tech have shed light on what I was missing
It was interesting to see how even such a complicated creation was born out of the simple need to solve a problem. Understanding how the internet was born out of a need to simplify information sharing among scientists is a powerful reminder of how innovation begins with solving a specific problem. Berners-Lee’s need to make sharing information easier led to the development of foundational technologies that still form the basis of the web today: HTML, URI, HTTP, and the web browser (Weller, 2020, p. 16). This serves as a testament to how simply solving a problem can lead to transformative advancements that reshape our world.
It’s easy to take the invention of the internet for granted because it has become such an integral part of our daily lives. Yet, its impact on society and the education system has been nothing short of transformative. Learning about Berners-Lee’s role in its creation, as well as Weller’s explanation of its immediate influence, has deepened my appreciation for the opportunities and dangers it offers. Even Berners-Lee could not have anticipated how his creation would evolve beyond its original purpose. In fact, he came to regret how it has evolved and how it is being used today.
Unlike Zuckerberg or other tech creators, Berners-Lee never profited off his own invention. And yet, he seems to feel responsible for how it has developed and impacted society. As I learned from a Vanity Fair article, he has expressed regret over how his invention has been used in recent years. He lamented, “We demonstrated that the Web had failed instead of served humanity, as it was supposed to have done, and failed in many places” (Brooker, 2018, para. 6). In recent years, he has dedicated his life to protecting how it is used, creating a platform called Solid, designed to give individuals more control over their data. His efforts remind me that even the most groundbreaking innovations require vigilant management to ensure they are being used as intended.
Looking back at my initial reflections on ed tech, I now realise just how pivotal Berners-Lee’s work has been in launching the field. Weller’s book has not only informed me but also challenged me to think more critically about the origins and future of Ed Tech. I feel a bit more informed now, though perhaps a little more humbled by how much I still have to learn.
References:
Brooker, K. (2018, August). “I was devastated”: Tim Berners-Lee, the man who created the World Wide Web, has some regrets. Vanity Fair. https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2018/07/the-man-who-created-the-world-wide-web-has-some-regrets
Weller, M. (2020). 25 Years of Ed Tech. Athabasca University Press.
Great perspective, Heidi. I didn’t know that Berners-Lee regretted how the web has devolved. Though, I think he’s being unfairly hard on himself. Concepts such as digital privacy, cybersecurity, and algorithmic bias were emergent properties of the web that evolved alongside the technology. It would have been nearly impossible for him to predict how his invention would be used, particularly in an environment shaped by the rapid growth conferred by Moore’s law.
That said, it doesn’t excuse those technologists who have contributed to these problems in the ensuing years. I’ve always had a personal concern about the “move fast and break things” motto of Silicon Valley, as it blatantly disregards any concept of safety, responsibility or accountability.
This is a thoughtful reflection on how often we overlook the origins of the technologies that shape our lives. It’s eye-opening to see how one person’s problem-solving efforts can have such a far-reaching impact, and your insights into Berners-Lee’s legacy add an important perspective on the ethical responsibilities of tech innovation. Great read!
Hi Heidi,
I very much enjoyed reading your blog. I found your insight regarding innovation and how it is born from the need to solve a specific problem, as well as how these foundational technologies from that time period have developed and still exist today, very interesting in relation to a thought I had on the same chapters.
After reading Weller’s writings from 1994-2001, I wondered how many times an evolving classroom of this period faced a “new” problem that required a “new” innovation, as you suggest. I also wondered if the Ed-tech selected was seen as a simple solution, inherently assumed to already contain the required “innovation” to solve the problem, simply because it was technology and therefore considered innovative on its own.
I question whether we may have “repurposed” educational technologies to solve problems, assuming that the “innovation part” of solving the problem lies within the technology itself, rather than through the pedagogical design and proper application.
In those early years, I wonder how much time and effort was required to correct the latter, rather than having adopted some of these technologies as early as we did.
Oh, the thoughts that keep an MA student up at night…..Hahaha
That, and the Memory you brought back to me regarding my time with early, early Ed-tech in the form of “Speed Typing Games” ?
Thank you for sharing your insightful reflections, Heidi. I absolutely agree with you on how easy it is to take the internet for granted and neglect the visionaries who created it. To expand on your points on Berners-Lee’s regrets, the creation of Solid is an important reminder that technology, particularly something as powerful as the internet, necessitates ongoing ethical deliberation and care. This perspective is sometimes overlooked in discussions about technological progress, but it’s critical if we want to harness these tools for the greater good.
What we’re experiencing today with the removal of cell phones in schools is a prime example. The rush to integrate technology without fully considering its impact on education has led to challenges that we now need to address. The recent restrictions on cell phone use in schools highlight how important it is to balance innovation with responsibility and accountability.
Fantastic work Heidi 🙂
Although Berners-Lee regretted how the web has developed, I wonder how he could have imagined a lot of what has happened. In an ideal circumstance, connecting computers to collaborate sounded amazing, but now it allows people to connect in so many ways.
I can honestly say there is a lot of information I have found out thanks to the internet that I wish I didn’t know, but there is also a lot that I am thankful I do. It is interesting to try to teach my students how to research information or even not rely on the first google search.