The Future of Education Is Exciting!
One of the best parts of working in this industry is not only being able to see firsthand the incredible advancements in educational technology, but also how these advancements are benefiting students in ways beyond our wildest dreams.
In this month’s newsletter, we are taking a look at the digital trends of 2020.
There’s been a big push for developing technology that benefits every type of student, no matter their learning style, location, or accessibility needs. It’s going to be exciting to watch students meet their potential with these additions to the classroom. The sky is the limit!
Also, in this newsletter, an article about the latest school sport, robotics! It makes perfect sense. This organized sport develops team skills, offers a sport to those who may not be cut out for other team sports, and creates a scholarship opportunity.
We are so excited for these advancements and the future of education!
Founder & CEO
A New Decade Brings Exciting Technology Advances for Education – Five Trends to Watch
We’ve come a long way! Education technology can be traced back to the 1960s when audio-visual tools were introduced for better communication and knowledge retention. Fast forward to 2020, innovations in education technology have taken the teacher-student community by storm!
The Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT) defines educational technology as “the study and ethical practice of facilitating learning and improving performance by creating, using and managing appropriate technological processes and resources.”
Similar to life, the only thing constant in digital technology is change. And boy are those changes exciting! Our world is becoming a place where we can quickly learn anything, and in many fields, our experience is only a small part of our ability to learn and achieve.
Here are five digital technology trends to watch in 2020:
1.Customized Learning Experiences
Children have different ways of learning—visual, auditory, kinesthetic, etc. New digital transformation trends in technology are going to make it easier for students of different learning types to learn in the way most appropriate to them, be it through interactive games, modeling tools, video production, etc.
2. Accessibility
Digital technology makes information accessible regardless of how well someone is able to read it. This is true for voice-to-text and text-to-voice transcription technologies that are especially helpful to students with dyslexia and other learning issues. There is also an increasing volume of information available in video and audio form, ensuring that learning is no longer limited by the ability to read.
3. 5G-Increased Capacity, Faster Network, and Lower Latency
Integration of the Fifth Generation (5G) of wireless networks is set to have an impact on the way education institutions interact with connected devices and new classroom technology. Three key areas where 5G will improve on the current 4G networks are increased device capacity, faster network speed, and lower latency. Creating smarter, more connected schools opens the gate for a higher level of learning.
4. Videoconferencing on the Rise
It used to be having a pen pal was the best way to learn about someone from another state or country. Not anymore. Nowadays, kindergartners are exchanging thoughts with other kindergartners across the country through videoconferencing. Imagine your class talking to astronauts aboard the space station!
For students, videoconferencing is about more than just the marvels of meeting someone hundreds of miles away. It’s a unique opportunity for students to practice their communication skills, to collaborate in real-time on projects, and to learn from professionals and experts who might otherwise not be able to visit a classroom.
5. Student-Centered Learning
Passion drives motivation. When we tap into student interests, it becomes much easier to build skills and knowledge.2020 will see a reinvigorated focus on building lessons based on students’ interest and their personal learning goals. Working with students will, at least theoretically, create more active and dedicated learners.
Our world is becoming a place where we can rapidly learn anything, and in many fields, our experience is only a small part of our ability to learn and achieve.
Robotics: A New Sport That Takes More Brain Power Then Brawn
When it comes to high school sports, there’s a new kid in town. The sport is robotics, and it has opened the door for a new type of athlete!
This innovative athletic program requires hours of practice, dedicated teamwork, and has kids tinkering with technology. Who could ask for more? The skills students learn, including collaboration and problem solving, are the same as those learned in other sports.
Unlike most sports, robotics provides all students, no matter their background or physical ability, the opportunity to become STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) professionals.
The sport includes students raising funds to support their project, and designing a team ‘brand,’ all for the goal of building and programming industrial-size robots. This hard work is put to the test by playing a field game against like-minded competitors.
The concept behind this idea came from Dean Kamen, an entrepreneur and inventor. He re-invented the wheel when he founded the nonprofit organization FIRST (For Inspiration Recognition Science Technology) in 1989. This organization helps develop school robotics teams, places professional mentors, and oversees hundreds of competitions every year.
See What One High School Principal Had to Say About Working with EdTech
