Today, education technology looks vastly different from how it looked just a decade ago. With the education technology (EdTech) sector’s current rate of technological advancements, it’s likely that 2025 and beyond will be another era of vast innovation — improving educational outcomes while making the jobs of teachers easier. 

The latest research from Grand View Research says that the global EdTech market is valued at just above $142 billion, and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 13.4% from 2024 through 2030. What technologies will be foundational to such growth? 

Read on as we look into the specific technologies central to current classroom environments and the innovations likely to shape EdTech’s significant projected market increase. 

The technologies that currently lead the education sector 

Virtually all American classrooms incorporate technology in some form. While policies change school-by-school, all institutions recognize one central truth: the today and tomorrow of education is tech-driven. 

Here are three technologies that shape the current classroom environment. 

1. Tablets and laptops 

Certain classroom technologies are now so commonplace that we forget they’re still recent technological advancements. In 2023, 93% of students reported using a device in the classroom. This is up 11% from 2016 and even more when we consider how rare device use was in just the turn of the 2000s. 

Today, schools adopt both bring-your-own-device (BYOD) and school-funded approaches. While personal mobile phone use is still largely prohibited, as indicated by 91% of studied K-12 schools, it’s a different story for personal tablets and laptops. 

Speaking on the benefits of device usage in the classroom, the American Academy of Pediatrics stated, “Research has found that using touchscreen devices generally has a positive effect on young children’s academic learning in the classroom, especially for improving reading and math.”

Similarly, high school students report improved learning outcomes due to the various capabilities provided by devices. In their article titled ‘Devices in the classroom,’ Harvard University reports that high school students prefer taking notes on their computers rather than by hand. 70% of college students reported that having a laptop in class is helpful for their academic performance, with note-taking cited as the most significant benefit. They also noted improved engagement with in-class activities and enhanced communication and collaboration with peers.

Beyond its benefits, tablets and laptops are simply a part of today’s classroom fabric. They’re how students can access online educational resources, participate in interactive learning environments, and connect with digital platforms that offer supplementary courses and material. 

2. Learning management systems (LMS)

EducationWeek reported that “Hardly any K-12 school districts were using a learning management system 10 years ago. Now, they’re almost ubiquitous.”

LMS platforms provide educators with tools to create, manage, and deliver instructional materials — as well as to assess student performance. Schools can either choose from stand-alone LMS providers that integrate with other platforms, or they can adopt comprehensive education management systems that offer built-in learning management features alongside tools for administration, communication, and analytics.

Think Google Workspace for Education: While this platform offers learning management system capabilities, it extends to provide a wide array of collaboration and productivity tools — Classroom, Docs, Sheets, Slides, Meet, and others — which facilitate both synchronous and asynchronous learning environments. 

3. Video conferencing tools

Popularized by COVID-19 and increasingly commonplace since, video conferring tools have made a big impact on classroom environments. Google Meet, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams are popular go-to platforms for K-12 schools that open the door to virtual learning and collaboration.

It’s a common misperception that video conferencing tools are only for tuning in to lessons from home. Teachers are increasingly leaning on these tools to conduct virtual field trips, present guest lectures, and engage in professional development workshops. Plus, as these tools offer tools like virtual whiteboards and screensharing, teachers will also use them to provide more interactive lessons. 

The education technology of tomorrow 

The question on many educators’ minds is, ‘What emerging trends give insight into the future of EdTech?’

Two notable emerging trends are the next internet and the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) — both are poised to fundamentally change the traditional classroom environment. 

The next internet

Speaking on the next wave of the internet, the European Commission wrote that, “Faster networks, enhanced computing capabilities and lightweight devices will enable immersive technologies such as virtual worlds, augmented reality and holograms to simulate learning situations which would otherwise be unfeasible due to the safety risks and high costs associated with the real-life experiences.”

The next internet will be facilitated by 6G networks. 6G refers to the sixth generation of wireless communication technology, anticipated to deliver significantly higher data speeds, ultra-low latency, and enhanced connectivity compared to previous generations. It aims to support a vast array of emerging technologies, including immersive virtual and augmented reality applications, the Internet of Things (IoT), and advanced artificial intelligence systems. 

Writing on immersive virtual reality applications, new PwC research tells us that teachers who undergo virtual reality upskilling can experience a 275% increase in confidence to apply skills, exceeding the outcomes from traditional classroom and e-learning teaching methods by 40% and 35%, respectively.

While we don’t have data on student learning outcomes just yet, what we can confidently say is that VR — and other next internet, 6G technologies — will change the way that students learn. 

AI and ML 

AI and ML can provide benefits, both educationally and administratively. 

• Educationally, 25% of schools today report that AI opens the door to personalized learning. As classroom AI becomes increasingly sophisticated and accessible, we’re expecting this figure to rise significantly. K-12 schools also note how AI facilitates increased learning engagement through various use cases, including on-hand AI tutors, next-generation gamification, and adaptive learning platforms. 

• Administratively, 42% of schools report that these technologies reduce the time spent on time-consuming, routine tasks — freeing educators and administrators up to focus on more high-impact activities. From answering routine parent queries and organizing data to automating class scheduling, aiding payroll, and more, schools stand to become significantly more productive with the help of AI. 

How exactly AI will be used in the classroom in 2025 and beyond is still speculative. However, as the World Economic Forum put it: ” The intersection of artificial intelligence and education is not just a future possibility; it is imminent.”

Ensure your students are safe online

With new technology comes novel areas of access for malicious actors aiming to gain access to sensitive data. It also opens the door to harmful digital behavior and exposure risks. 

The education sector is among the most highly targeted industries in the United States. Weekly, schools report over 2,000 attacks, with an average school data breach costing upwards of $3.6m. Then, as schools also consider the possibility of students accessing harmful content, online bullying, and other risks, they’re prompted to take proactive preventative measures.

ManagedMethods is at the forefront of the technologies that ensure schools are protected against cyber threats and students can engage in a safe, secure online learning environment:

• Content Filter is an easily deployable, cloud-based filtering software that integrates with existing network infrastructure to manage and control internet access. It provides administrators with tools to configure filtering rules, monitor web traffic in real time, and generate detailed usage reports.

• Cloud Monitor is a cloud-based security platform that integrates with Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 to provide continuous monitoring and advanced threat detection. It allows administrators to seamlessly manage access controls, monitor user activities in real time, and enforce security policies across various cloud applications.

ManagedMethods will soon be introducing a new software solution for K-12 schools: Classroom Manager. With early bird pricing now available, Classroom Manager offers teachers access to cutting-edge classroom monitoring tools, designed specifically for the modern educational environment. This cloud-based platform allows teachers to seamlessly oversee student activities on their devices, regulate content access, customize resources to address each student’s unique needs, and more.

The post The Future of Education Technology for 2025 and Beyond appeared first on ManagedMethods Cybersecurity, Safety & Compliance for K-12.

*** This is a Security Bloggers Network syndicated blog from ManagedMethods Cybersecurity, Safety & Compliance for K-12 authored by Alexa Sander. Read the original post at: https://managedmethods.com/blog/future-education-technology/