Emerging Educational Tech: Developments For The Year Ahead
The education system has faced a huge upheaval in recent months, with huge numbers of students globally moving to online methods of delivery – that’s on top of the 6.6 million students who were already enrolled in distance-learning courses in the US. Forbes state that the value of the EduTech market is predicted to double in value by 2025, with a total worth of around $325 billion. So what is the expected focus of educational technology over the rest of the year, and how might this influence the education of the future?
Education online
Many educational platforms are harnessing the power of the cloud, modern smart technology, and the Internet of Things to provide a fully rounded, engaging curriculum. For example, Riff is a cloud-based video and text chat platform that educators can use to facilitate coaching and assessment in real-time, optimizing learning and providing enhanced engagement and levels of completion and success. Outschool is another increasingly popular option, with sessions delivered by tutors globally, offering topics as diverse as anime drawing, baking, and even Dungeons and Dragons. Other applications like Skoove focus on a more specific area of learning, such as music, with interactive lessons and smart keyboard hook-up technology for an immersive student experience.
It’s not just software that is emerging, but hardware as well. Campaigners in the educational technology sector are increasingly championing the reduction of the digital divide, calling for technological solutions to digital poverty for a huge number of students in higher education – a so-called ‘lost generation’ that wants to learn but is overlooked by the current models of delivery. Investment into the development of low-cost, functional technology that is accessible to all students, and the installation and opportunity to connect to an effective high-speed internet connection, will be crucial factors in the support and evolution of EduTech.
Secure the future
With classrooms becoming increasingly virtual, the risk of data breaches and security incidents rises in tandem. When thinking about education IT services for a school or teaching program, it’s important to remember that security must be built in from the beginning. For younger students, software should include appropriate filters and firewalls to block inappropriate content and contacts, and for all students, secure storage and transfer of data is crucial. A managed IT service can oversee educational networks to ensure they are adaptable and effective, and for this reason, many establishments are outsourcing their IT tech requirements so that they can focus on the important stuff – teaching students and enabling them to learn and succeed.
With new devices, software, and ideas coming to the market at an increasing pace, the opportunities for educational tech are vast and ever-growing. The schools of the future could look very different, with students experiencing a hybrid of homeschooling, virtual group classrooms, and fieldwork. This will be supported by access to educational apps, technology, and networks that contribute to building the social, environmental, and economic skills of students.
