We may technically be in the middle of a school year, but starting a new calendar year has us looking at and forecasting the new K12 education trends we expect to see in 2019.
In the first half of this school year, we’ve seen some of these ideas start to emerge, and we suspect that as we close out the academic calendar, they will become more prominent. In fact, we’re excited to see what role these trends will play going forward and into the 2019-2020 school year.
K12 trends in education
1. Increased use of immersive technologies
Virtual and augmented reality (VR and AR) have been creating new opportunities in teaching and learning. As the technologies become more affordable and available, we expect to see their usage increase dramatically in K-12 education. It gives teachers the ability to show their students aspects of history, travel, and STEM subjects in an immersive experience. Students will be able to take “field trips” across the world and gain hands-on vocational training through VR simulations without ever leaving the classroom. See how a district in Pennsylvania is investing in VR and AR.
2. Rising prominence of assistive devices
Assistive devices (e.g., Google Home, Amazon’s Alexa, and Apple’s Siri) have carved out their space in many people’s homes, but 2019 will see them gain prominence in classrooms. While there are still some privacy issues to address, assistive devices can update information published in outdated textbooks and give students a space to dive deeper into their own learning by asking questions and following up on their own curiosities.
3. Growth of integrated learning
We’ve been seeing more schools across the board adopting integrated learning solutions that combine print materials and textbooks with digital aids. It’s impractical for schools to wait for a complete computerized transformation; integrated learning helps bridge the gap and bring them into a digital world. We predict that more textbook publishers will release digital assets that are easy to use and connect to their products.
4. Expansion of blended learning
Blended learning takes integrated learning up a notch, by moving a portion of instruction fully online. Some districts have already been relying on blended learning for students to make up missed classes due to temporary school closures. This method of education also prepares K-12 students for higher education, where online learning is more common.
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