Evolution of Education: From Hand-Copied Books to Online Learning

Access to Education and the Printing Press

Formerly, only certain privileged classes had access to education, culture, and knowledge. The circulation and distribution of hand-copied books were rather limited. After the invention of the printing press, literacy rates increased in most industrialized and developing countries. Through education, we could say we are more free. Universities and schools can be considered the backbone of education in our society today, although there are other spaces where knowledge is also provided.

The Rise of Distance Education

A few years ago, around the 1960s, what might be called the classic system was imposed. This involved a physical space, such as a college or university, where people (students) gathered, and teachers imparted previously scheduled subjects. This system was complemented by distance education centers. For example, the first in Spain was UNED (National University of Distance Education), created in 1970. Others appeared later, such as the UOC (Open University of Catalonia), created in 1990. These centers are characterized by:

• Students meet and interact over the internet.
• Online campuses exist, which are internet portals where all the necessary information for students and professors appears.

Tools and Resources in Modern Education

The internet is used as a basic and necessary communication tool for students, professors, and tutors. Electronic Bibles are the major bibliographic sources. These educational models are oriented toward people who want to reconcile their work with their studies.

Education and the Industrial Revolution

In the late 19th century, the demand for an educated workforce, prepared for the great process of industrialization, caused an increase in schooling. Thanks to the specialization of knowledge, teachers could pass it on from generation to generation, from parents to children. In those days, the only knowledge required was writing, reading, mathematical calculation, and general culture.

The Role of Education in Modern Society

From this time on, colleges and universities have been preparing new generations of citizens and professionals. Ideally, universities and schools need to train citizens and individuals with a strong cultural background and a critical view of the world. Currently, society and businesses seek technicians who can take on the challenges of the economy, and schools should focus their efforts on training them.