Chapter 11: The Evolution of The Virtual Learning Environment and The Internet

Technology has changed everything in our society and education is no exception. Charles Handy (1989) noted that technology was one of the Great Discomforters (along with wars, economics, values and demographics) that are responsible for the relentless and unstoppable change that occurs whether we like it or not. Since the advent of the personal computer around 1982, information availability and dissemination have been revolutionized. And the ability of people to interact and communicate has made quantum leaps, making commonplace what was previously unimaginable, for example, wireless connections, instant messaging, social networks, Teleseminars, smart phones, and so on. Our particular interest here is in educational applications.