Classroom Technology Before the 1800s
Hornbook Diagram (Miranker, 2008)
You may be wondering, "What could technology possibly look like before the 1800's?" This is where we have to remember our broad definition of what technology can actually be. Of course classroom technology was much less sophisticated, but it certainly still existed.
Horn Books
Hornbooks were used by children from the 14th century to the 18th century. As you can see they weren't really what we consider books to be. It consisted of a sheet of parchment or paper with the alphabet, phonics and the Lord's Prayer printed or in manuscript, mounted on a small, wooden, paddle-shaped board and protected by a thin sheet of transparent animal horn that was attached with metal strips and nails (Miranker, 2008). The reason why they were shaped like a paddle is because not only were they a learning technology, but they were also used for corporal punishment. Teachers were very strict during this era, so students were taught as well as disciplined using these hornbooks.
Horn Books
Hornbooks were used by children from the 14th century to the 18th century. As you can see they weren't really what we consider books to be. It consisted of a sheet of parchment or paper with the alphabet, phonics and the Lord's Prayer printed or in manuscript, mounted on a small, wooden, paddle-shaped board and protected by a thin sheet of transparent animal horn that was attached with metal strips and nails (Miranker, 2008). The reason why they were shaped like a paddle is because not only were they a learning technology, but they were also used for corporal punishment. Teachers were very strict during this era, so students were taught as well as disciplined using these hornbooks.
(Miranker, Real Hornbook)
Interesting Facts about Horn Books
- Hornbooks were made of many materials beside wood, including ivory, silver, leather, bone … and occasionally gingerbread. When students learned a letter, they were allowed to eat it!
- Children wore their hornbooks. There was a hole in the handle so they could be attached to boy’s belt or a girl’s girdle.
- Because they were fairly indestructible and went everywhere with their owners, hornbooks were often used as bats when children were at play (Miranker, 2008).
(Savad, Teachers: School Slates)
School Slates
Although paper had been invented, it was much too expensive for families sending their children to school, so they used school slates. The exact origins of the writing slate, remain unclear, however there have been records of its use that go as far back as the 14th century. Schools slates however became more widely used in schools in the 1700's and even more so in the 1800's. It was made from a thin piece of slate enclosed in a wood frame. Students carried it to and from school every day. Initially, school slates were written on with "slate pencils" or pieces of rock; but they were eventually replaced by chalk, which was easier for students to write with. Considering they had no way to save the information they wrote on their slates, students had to master their lessons through memorization. They came to the front of the class to recite their lessons, which was led by the teacher (Streep, 2001). The teacher also had to go around the classroom and write the lessons or practice material on each and every student's individual school slate. Though the quantities are very slim, slates are still being produced and used today, however with the rapid advancements we make in technology, I am certain they too will soon become obsolete.
***SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT FOR STUDENTS: What if you had no way to preserve your notes? How would you recall what you have been taught? How would that affect your study habits?
***SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT FOR TEACHERS: We complain about not having enough time during the day. What if you had to go around and write on every student in the classroom's "individual slate"? How much do you think you would get taught in a day's time frame? Keeping in mind that chalkboard for whole group instruction have not been invented yet; what would the other students in the classroom be doing, while your attention is on one student?
Although paper had been invented, it was much too expensive for families sending their children to school, so they used school slates. The exact origins of the writing slate, remain unclear, however there have been records of its use that go as far back as the 14th century. Schools slates however became more widely used in schools in the 1700's and even more so in the 1800's. It was made from a thin piece of slate enclosed in a wood frame. Students carried it to and from school every day. Initially, school slates were written on with "slate pencils" or pieces of rock; but they were eventually replaced by chalk, which was easier for students to write with. Considering they had no way to save the information they wrote on their slates, students had to master their lessons through memorization. They came to the front of the class to recite their lessons, which was led by the teacher (Streep, 2001). The teacher also had to go around the classroom and write the lessons or practice material on each and every student's individual school slate. Though the quantities are very slim, slates are still being produced and used today, however with the rapid advancements we make in technology, I am certain they too will soon become obsolete.
***SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT FOR STUDENTS: What if you had no way to preserve your notes? How would you recall what you have been taught? How would that affect your study habits?
***SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT FOR TEACHERS: We complain about not having enough time during the day. What if you had to go around and write on every student in the classroom's "individual slate"? How much do you think you would get taught in a day's time frame? Keeping in mind that chalkboard for whole group instruction have not been invented yet; what would the other students in the classroom be doing, while your attention is on one student?
"1900's Stereoscope"
Stereoscopes
Believe it or not, we have been viewing 3-D images long before you know it. The stereoscope was widely used from the 1890's all the way to the 1940's, was originally invented by Sir Charles Wheatstone in 1838, and later made more popular by Oliver Wendell Holmes in 1881. It paired two 2-dimensional pictures side by side and viewed them at different angles creating what appeared to be a 3-dimensional image ("Stereoscope," ).
Believe it or not, we have been viewing 3-D images long before you know it. The stereoscope was widely used from the 1890's all the way to the 1940's, was originally invented by Sir Charles Wheatstone in 1838, and later made more popular by Oliver Wendell Holmes in 1881. It paired two 2-dimensional pictures side by side and viewed them at different angles creating what appeared to be a 3-dimensional image ("Stereoscope," ).
TECHNOLOGY REVOLUTIONIZED IN THE 1800s
(Picture History)
Black Boards
The first technology to ever drastically revolutionize education was the blackboard. When I was in elementary school (1996-2002), we didn't think twice about chalkboards because we viewed them as a standard piece of equipment that came with every classroom, however prior to 1801, the "blackboard" did not exist. "James Pillans, Headmaster of the Old High School of Edinburgh, Scotland, is widely credited for inventing the blackboard and colored chalk which he used to teach geography." (Ergo in Demand, Inc., 2000-2013) and "Mr. George Baron, an instructor at West Point Military Academy, is considered to be the first American instructor to incorporate the use of a large black chalk board into the presentation of his math lessons in 1801" (Ergo in Demand, Inc., 2000-2013). Thanks to the creative thinking of these two brilliant educators; for the first time, teachers could have whole group instruction, where students could not only hear the material but they could see the material as an entire class. Now students could visualize, grasp, and discuss the material being presented as a class. What used to be a tedious task for teachers was now much easier, faster, and overall much more efficient. "By the 1850's, most one-room schoolhouses were outfitted with the staples: a wood burning stove, benches, and a large blackboard" (Conjecture Corporation , 2003-2013).
The first technology to ever drastically revolutionize education was the blackboard. When I was in elementary school (1996-2002), we didn't think twice about chalkboards because we viewed them as a standard piece of equipment that came with every classroom, however prior to 1801, the "blackboard" did not exist. "James Pillans, Headmaster of the Old High School of Edinburgh, Scotland, is widely credited for inventing the blackboard and colored chalk which he used to teach geography." (Ergo in Demand, Inc., 2000-2013) and "Mr. George Baron, an instructor at West Point Military Academy, is considered to be the first American instructor to incorporate the use of a large black chalk board into the presentation of his math lessons in 1801" (Ergo in Demand, Inc., 2000-2013). Thanks to the creative thinking of these two brilliant educators; for the first time, teachers could have whole group instruction, where students could not only hear the material but they could see the material as an entire class. Now students could visualize, grasp, and discuss the material being presented as a class. What used to be a tedious task for teachers was now much easier, faster, and overall much more efficient. "By the 1850's, most one-room schoolhouses were outfitted with the staples: a wood burning stove, benches, and a large blackboard" (Conjecture Corporation , 2003-2013).
Green Classroom chalkboard; ("Arjona 109,")
No Longer "Black"boards!
Blackboards even went through their own evolution. Initially they were made of slate; that dark, metamorphic rock that was mined out of Vermont, Maine, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Maryland, and New York. They were written on with bits of slate, which were soon replaced by chalk, a white limestone mined from the earth. They were cleaned by rags, which were also replaced by felt erasers that could get rid of the chalk marks without creating so much airborne dust (Conjecture Corporation , 2003-2013). The "blackboards" I and most of my peers probably used in school were actually not black. The more modern blackboards, now referred to as "chalkboards" came about around the 1960's. Companies replaced the slate and instead manufactured steel boards that were coated with porcelain enamel. They were green, which is why the name “chalkboard” became more and more popular, considering black was no longer the only color of the board. Chalkboards became green because the color was more appealing and it made the erased chalk powder less obvious (Ergo in Demand, Inc., 2000-2013).
Blackboards even went through their own evolution. Initially they were made of slate; that dark, metamorphic rock that was mined out of Vermont, Maine, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Maryland, and New York. They were written on with bits of slate, which were soon replaced by chalk, a white limestone mined from the earth. They were cleaned by rags, which were also replaced by felt erasers that could get rid of the chalk marks without creating so much airborne dust (Conjecture Corporation , 2003-2013). The "blackboards" I and most of my peers probably used in school were actually not black. The more modern blackboards, now referred to as "chalkboards" came about around the 1960's. Companies replaced the slate and instead manufactured steel boards that were coated with porcelain enamel. They were green, which is why the name “chalkboard” became more and more popular, considering black was no longer the only color of the board. Chalkboards became green because the color was more appealing and it made the erased chalk powder less obvious (Ergo in Demand, Inc., 2000-2013).