Educational Technology - The Big Picture

Advertisement 1: Radio Shack, 1977. https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjh35H_02Oroiw7R-SUtznzitTAQjZ6SmDUcB0SQupfbTxtDgPx1w54gxYjkeLP4ztHtYhb45-WC0AOVxpiDUdVIoM6Pi78hgsga6DHpQquydp5e5aQiZMkcI-9kzSu15EjShG6wuOets7/s16000/computer-ads-families-1980s-12.jpg

Advertisement 2: JB HiFi, 2026.

https://www.jbhifi.com.au/products/lenovo-ideapad-s3i-15-6-fhd-laptop-intel-core-i3512gb

Advertisement 3: Harvey Norman, 2026.

 https://www.harveynorman.com.au/lenovo-yoga-slim-7x-14-5-inch-3k-oled-snapdragon-x-plus-x1p-64-100-16gb-1tb-ssd-copilot-plus-laptop-cosmic-blue.html

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Advertisement 1 is for the TRS-80 home computer which was released by RadioShack in November 1977 and the advertisement states that plugging the computer into the family TV provided “a valuable home learning system in your living room” (RadioShack, 1977). This advertisement is aimed at parents with primary aged children because it is selling the benefits of the educational software available, designed to align with the popular television series Sesame Street, that allows the child to “play constructively and learn actively” and “progress in his or her own unique way” (Radio Shack, 1977). In 1975 Sesame Street had the highest PBS ratings and had a viewing audience that matched “typical Saturday morning children’s shows” and this provided a clever rationale for selling a new machine as an educational tool (Muppet Wiki).

Computer advertising in 2026 has changed dramatically. Advertisements claiming the educational advantages of having a home computer are now rare and after many hours of searching I was unable to find one aimed at promoting the educational advantages of computers. Advertisements in 2026 promote the processing speeds, memory size, battery life, weight, dimensions of laptops and bundles of accessories such as printers and bags that can also be purchased (Advertisement 2. Advertisement 3.)

Bibliography

History Computer Staff. (2025). TRS-80: Everything You Need to Know, https://history-computer.com/products/trs-80-guide/ .

Muppet WIKI. (https://muppet.fandom.com/wiki/Sandbox:Sesame_Street_viewership