1. Reliance on Print Materials: In the 90s, textbooks, workbooks, and other print materials were the main sources of information for teachers and students alike.
2. Limited Internet Access: Unlike today, internet access was limited to occasional computer lab visits for most students.
3. Overhead Projectors: Teachers relied heavily on overhead projectors to display content on a screen or whiteboard.
4. Absence of Interactive Whiteboards: Smartboards and other interactive technologies were not available during this period, making teaching more static and less interactive.
5. Handwritten Assignments and Essays: Students and teachers produced written work entirely by hand, without access to word processing software like Microsoft Word or Google Docs.
6. Snail Mail as Communication: Teachers would communicate with parents through physical letters sent via mail rather than through emails or messaging apps.
7. No Online Resources for Lesson Planning: Teachers had fewer resources at their disposal for lesson planning, often resorting to networking with other educators or using books rather than browsing online databases.
8. Photocopying Materials: Worksheets and supplementary materials were photocopied as opposed to being downloaded from websites or streaming platforms.
9. Limited Screen Time During Class: Teachers utilized the occasional educational video on a TV cart rolled into the classroom, but video content was less integral to daily lesson plans than it is today.
10. Physical Field Trips: Virtual field trips were non-existent, so students would explore new environments solely through in-person visits.
11. Navigating Card Catalogue Systems: Library research entailed sifting through card catalogues rather than using an online search engine.
12. Memorization Emphasis: Academics in the 90s emphasized memorization over critical thinking and problem-solving skills that are prevalent today.
13. Chalkboards instead of Whiteboards: Chalkboards dominated classrooms due to the absence of modern whiteboards, making lessons more susceptible to smudging and erasure.
14. Cassette Tapes and CDs: Teachers used cassette tapes and CDs for audio materials instead of streaming audio online.
15. No BYOD (Bring Your Own Device): Unlike today’s classrooms where many students can bring their own devices, 90s students relied entirely on school-provided computers and technology.
16. Traditional Classroom Setups: The 90s saw a prevalence of rows of desks and chairs as opposed to today’s more flexible learning spaces.
17. Lower Teacher-Student Collaboration: Due to limited connectivity, teachers and students had fewer opportunities to collaborate outside the classroom through online platforms.
18. Limited Special Education Resources: The 90s had less comprehensive accommodations for students with special needs as compared to today’s classroom design principles
19. No Social Media: Teaching was focused purely on face-to-face interactions between teachers and students without the influence of social media platforms such as Facebook or Twitter.
