The Center for the Application of Information Technologies (CAIT) was established in 1988 as the Satellite Education Network (SEN) in the College of Education at Western Illinois University. CAIT was created with a $6.5 million United States Department of Education Star Schools Grant and went on to receive a total of four United States Department of Education Star Schools Grants.

CAIT's original mission was to provide instructional and in-service resources to Illinois K-12 teachers and students. In July 1996, the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE) formally approved the establishment of the Center for the Application of Information Technologies in the College of Education and Human Services at Western Illinois University. CAIT is now a separate center at the university.

Since its inception, CAIT has been involved in computer networking, instructional development, and the effective use of media. CAIT has developed a variety of technical and process systems that support the dynamic web interactions that are the feature of its web-based projects. With the knowledge, experience and technical resources to develop and deliver web-based solutions for its clients, CAIT is unique in that it combines both the technical resources (people and technology) and the practical experience all in one location. By working with content experts and learners everyday, the staff understands that each project is unique and this individuality must be reflected in the development process. Finally, CAIT believes that when all is said and done, the most important result is the outcome for the learner/user.

CAIT has been at the leading edge of instructional technology development since its beginning. Highlights of CAIT's success in instructional technology include:

• CAIT became involved in its first true Internet based project (ARPNet) through the National Science Foundation-funded CIESIN Project on global change.

• WEIC, a video conferencing system with a dedicated video network, was deployed to Quad Cities and Springfield (Black Hawk College and Springfield CUSD).

• Constructing Curriculum, Integrated Language and Literacy Learning," CAIT's first interactive CD-ROM, was developed with Dr. Kathy Barclay to be used with K-12 pre-service teachers.
• Working with Dr. Max Pierson, Western Illinois University's first online course was developed at CAIT.
• Working within the College of Education and Human Services (COEHS) at Western Illinois University, CAIT deployed an Interactive Multimedia Lab for use by students and expanded the Faculty Development Lab.

• CAIT deployed a fully digital, broadcast-quality television studio.

• CAIT started a K-12 training group to provide staff development in instructional technology to elementary and high schools in Illinois.

• Working with the LUDA Education Foundation, CAIT developed a complete instructional system to support and deploy online high school courses in Illinois.

• CAIT deployed and supported the Blackboard CMS for use by Western Illinois University.
• Working within COEHS, CAIT set up and maintained a compressed video observation system that connected classrooms in K-12 schools with classrooms within COEHS, for enabling pre-service teachers to participate in classroom observations without the need for travel.
• Working with the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB), CAIT developed and deployed GED Illinois Online, a complete online instructional system designed to support GED preparation in adult education programs. It is now used in every adult education program in Illinois.
• CAIT ran a Direct TV channel (moved to Dish Network in 2003) providing education resources and staff development 24 hours a day/7 days a week.

• Working with the United Star Distance Learning Consortium, CAIT provided foreign language classes via satellite broadcasts and the Dish Network to K-12 schools nationwide.

• GED Illinois Online was offered to adult education programs nationwide and deployed for use in Washington, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Maryland.