40 Years with Online Education

1991: DEOS, soldiers and Mexico

This episode presents a collection of chronological anecdotes and professional reflections from 1991 written by Morten Flate Paulsen. The text weaves together significant global events, such as the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the Gulf War, with the author’s personal experiences living in the United States as a Norwegian expatriate. A major focus is placed on the evolution of distance education, specifically the founding of the European Distance Education Network (EDEN) and the growth of the DEOS online symposium. Paulsen highlights his role in editing early electronic newsletters and attending international conferences that shaped the future of computer-mediated communication. Ultimately, the source serves as a historical record of how technological advancements in learning coincided with a rapidly changing political landscape.

1990: Penn State and ICDE in Caracas

This episode recounts the pivotal events of 1990 through the lens of a Norwegian scholar transitioning into the burgeoning field of online distance education. Set against a backdrop of global political shifts and the birth of the World Wide Web, the narrative tracks the author’s move to Penn State University to pursue doctoral studies under the mentorship of Michael G. Moore. It details the practical challenges of international relocation, such as mastering a new language and navigating cultural differences, while highlighting the technological milestones of the era, including early notebook computers and modems. The author describes the creation of DEOS, one of the first digital academic journals, and recounts influential interactions at global conferences in Canada and Venezuela. Ultimately, the source serves as a personal and professional memoir of a transformative year that shaped the future of flexible learning through computer-mediated communication.

1989: Mindweave and TV-interviews

In this episode, Morten Flate Paulsen chronicles the pivotal educational innovations of 1989, specifically focusing on the development of the EKKO computer-conferencing system. The episode highlights early experiments in virtual classrooms, such as role-playing forums, remote programming, and the use of multiple-choice databases for distance learners. Beyond technical achievements, Paulsen reflects on his personal life, including family losses and the inspiration he drew from using technology to assist those with physical disabilities. He also details his professional contributions to influential academic works like Mindweave and his efforts to produce instructional TV programs featuring interviews with tech icons like Bill Gates. Ultimately, the source serves as a retrospective on how online education began to transcend international borders during a year of massive global political shifts.

1988: ICDE comes to Oslo

This episode about 1988 focuses on  a pivotal era for online education, chronicling Morten Flate Paulsen's transition from a student at Connect Ed to a pioneering instructor. His reflections highlight the early use of computer conferencing systems like EIES and EKKO to facilitate remote learning through a "virtual school" environment. The year was marked by significant global milestones, including the 14th ICDE World Conference in Oslo, which led to the establishment of a permanent international secretariat in Norway. Paulsen also explores the technological challenges of the time, such as using slow modems and navigating the skepticism of traditional educators regarding paced online courses. Through various international conferences and free course offerings, these records illustrate the foundational shift from correspondence-based learning to collaborative digital pedagogy. These anecdotes ultimately portray 1988 as a breakthrough year that bridged medieval academic traditions with the modern computer age.

1987: Europe's First Online Distance Educatin Course

This episode documentes a pivotal year that merged significant family milestones with the emergence of online education. The episode details Morten Flate Paulsen's professional travels to meet global pioneers in computer-mediated communication and his successful implementation of Norway’s first online distance learning courses. These technical achievements are woven together with the birth of his son, Stian, and the solemn loss of his father, Jon, to ALS. Paulsen reflects on the transition of "virtual schools" from conceptual dreams to functional realities, providing a historical look at early software like EKKO. Ultimately, the narrative serves as a personal and professional memoir that captures the evolving landscape of digital learning and family legacy.