From 18th-century shorthand lessons to robot proxies: the evolution of distance education

Cultures · Published 30 September 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Distance education is not a modern invention born of the internet. It began with mailed shorthand lessons in 1728 and evolved through radio, television, and correspondence schools. Today, it spans everything from asynchronous online modules to synchronous classrooms where robot proxies allow remote students to physically roam the campus.

The roots of distance learning lie in the 18th and 19th centuries, driven by the need to reach students beyond the classroom. In 1728, Caleb Philipps advertised shorthand lessons by mail in the Boston Gazette, but the field truly modernized in the 1840s when Sir Isaac Pitman used the newly introduced uniform postage rates in England to send and correct shorthand transcriptions. This feedback loop was a critical innovation. By 1858, the University of London established an External Programme, later dubbed the People's University, which allowed students to earn degrees through self-directed study and examination, bypassing the requirement for physical attendance.

As technology advanced, so did the delivery methods. The early 20th century saw a surge in correspondence schools, such as the International Correspondence Schools in Pennsylvania, which grew from 2,500 new students in 1894 to 72,000 in 1895 by utilizing aggressive sales tactics and complete textbook sets. By the 1930s, radio became a primary tool for distance instruction, notably used by Chicago Public Schools in 1937 during a polio-related closure. Later, the 1969 founding of the Open University in the United Kingdom, championed by Jennie Lee and Harold Wilson, revolutionized the field by providing a respectable, large-scale alternative to traditional universities, eventually inspiring similar institutions globally.

The digital age has further transformed the landscape, shifting from static correspondence to interactive, high-tech environments. While the COVID-19 pandemic forced a rapid, often difficult transition to remote learning, it also accelerated the adoption of platforms like Microsoft Teams and Zoom. Modern distance education now integrates diverse tools, including web conferencing, immersive virtual worlds, and even telerobotics. Devices like the Double Robot allow remote students to physically navigate a classroom, bridging the gap between digital access and the tangible presence of a traditional campus experience.

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