Marketplace®
Every story is an economic story

1980: Personal Computers.

This is a Marketplace.org Reader

Teaching pioneer life on the Oregon Trail would never be the same. The trials and tribulations of the settlers were explained in one of the first educational video games, and so began the digital land grab in the classroom. At the beginning it was one computer to nearly 100 students.  

As of 2008 that was down to 3 to 1.  How up to date are these computers?  A 2012 survey found 91 percent of teachers say they had access to computers in their classroom, but only 22 percent said they had the right level of technology.  Two-thirds said their school’s budget was the biggest stumbling block towards getting modern tech in the classroom.  

Latest Episodes

View All Shows
  • Marketplace
    an hour ago
    25:22
  • Marketplace Morning Report
    9 hours ago
    7:09
  • Million Bazillion
    14 hours ago
    30:57
  • Marketplace Tech
    14 hours ago
    12:45
  • This Is Uncomfortable
    6 days ago
    28:44
  • Make Me Smart
    4 months ago
    24:33