The top 6 education tech trends that are shaking things up in 2018.
Teachers, pupils and parents are starting to realise the benefits of technology seamlessly incorporated into the classroom. Discover six of the most innovative trends in educational technology that are helping to shape the classrooms of the future.
1. Gamification – one of the most innovative trends in educational technology
It’s an educational truism that children learn best through play and the latest gamification technology makes the acquisition of knowledge fun. Gaming technology is developing to make learning difficult concepts enjoyable. Educational websites, such as Mathletics and Duolingo, have been used in many UK schools for some time. Duolingo, particularly, uses the concept of gamification to help users progress in their language skill development.
The latest innovations, however, are for state-of-the-art immersive virtual reality game scenarios, allowing older students to acquire a host of specialised skills, from trainee healthcare professionals learning complex surgical skills to police students attending a 3D virtual crime scene.
2. Seamless Technology
As any teacher who has wasted 20 minutes of a carefully prepared lesson rushing around trying to get everyone logged in and online, pupils and teachers are increasingly demanding that the school technological environment is as seamless as it is in their home lives. Despite budgets often being strained, schools are feeling the pressure to invest in updating their technology, allowing for a more immersive experience for pupils.
3. School systems security will be more likely to be outsourced
Until now, the trend has been for schools, especially smaller primaries, to manage their IT systems in-house, with perhaps only one member of staff acting as an IT manager. With the growing awareness of the importance of a robust security system, particularly with GDPR, this is likely to change. Schools will move towards purchasing remote technical support and the use of cloud servers such as OneDrive for storing and sharing sensitive password protected documents. Memory sticks will become a thing of the past.
4. Innovative trends in educational technology: e-books will be increasingly used in classrooms
Recent research by the National Literacy Trust confirmed that e-readers help to improve literacy levels and are more likely to engage reluctant readers. It is predicted that by the end of this year, most UK schools will be regularly using e-books to facilitate learning and help reinforce a culture of reading for pleasure.
5. Flipped learning is going to become more widespread
Flipped learning or ‘flipped classroom’ is a concept that involves students watching audio or video lectures or reading emailed notes at home or in their own time before attending a lesson on the subject. Classroom time is then used to ‘deepen’ students’ learning via group discussion or analytical activities. One of the most widespread innovative trends in educational technology, flipped learning is believed by many pedagogical experts to be a more effective use of classroom-based time. It also ties in well with more personalised learning as pupils are often enabled to choose areas of weakness to work on. Flipped learning brings its own challenges and benefits but is almost certainly here to stay.
6. Peer-led support will become an increasingly important part of safeguarding
Peer-to-peer mentoring schemes are starting to be introduced by numerous educational facilities and help pupils to learn from mentors of their own age or slightly older. Schemes are designed to help young users to stay safe online, to make safe choices and to take responsibility for their own learning.
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At LamasaTech we’re fascinated by the intersection of education and technology. If you’re looking for innovative new ways to engage, educate and inspire your students, Get in touch with a member of our expert team for a free consultation.
