6 Essential EdTech Trends for 2019

Education has come a long way and has evolved dramatically.  Technology is now inextricably linked to education and EdTech as a sector is growing. 

Historically innovations were few and far between with most advancements being confined to the private sector. Current trends in educational technology are changing this pattern. Now, technology is being used at all levels of education. These new trends in educational technology have transformed the way students and teachers communicate. Here are six of the biggest tech trends in education for 2019.

1. Personalization with Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) are two potent partners when it comes to education. Through this partnership a deeper understanding of students’ individual capabilities is possible.

Emerging trends in educational technology like AI and ML will also benefit from automation. Whether that is in the automation of administrative tasks or even how reports are graded and students evaluated.

 With this knowledge in hand, AI can liaise with educators to guide the student further.  Another of the EdTech trends we are seeing with AI and ML is how it influences the way programming is taught.  By using AI and ML, teachers and students will improve collaboration and communication.  

2. Gamification

Gamification is the use of games to teach or give instructions. Gamification is one of the latest trends in educational technology and is being used in business as well as education. 

Gamification is capable of evoking creativity, imagination, and happiness in students. Gamification is also a way of using the latest technology. This means that students are no longer saddled with paper and pencil but can instead embrace notebooks and tablets. 

As one of the new trends in educational technology, it allows students the freedom to express themselves. Students also have the opportunity to develop skills in new and inventive ways. 

Gamification has helped improve student attention spans. Students are more involved and can participate in greater discussion and interaction.  In addition, an improvement in attention span helps improve comprehension. 

3. AR, VR and immersive technology

Artificial Reality and Virtual Reality are emerging trends in educational technology. The two software’s will provide realistic scenarios for the students. An example of its use is in the medical profession. 

 Medical students will have an opportunity of performing virtual surgeries rather than watching video demonstrations.  Not only will this provide students with an opportunity to learn the basics, but it will also help them learn rare treatments. This is, in fact, one of the technology trends in higher education.

Evoking science fiction tropes these new learning experiences are more immersive than anything currently available. The digital environment that these technologies provide will directly improve comprehension. By providing a new learning experience, AR and VR will help to accelerate the understanding of complex subjects.

This incredible experience will encourage students to explore new destinations without leaving a class. 

4. Flipped learning

Traditionally the teacher is the center of the class, however, now the concept of education is changing. Flipped learning is a new approach, in which the conventional notion of classroom is inverted. Traditionally, technology is used to augment the teachers and make them more effective. In flipped learning, instead of the teacher being the focus, the learner takes center stage. Classroom time is used to provide additional emphasis on topics, but students are introduced to a topic outside of the class. The core role in the new paradigm plays AR and VR technology. It makes the learning process more inclusive, visually compelling and demonstrative. Students can use various simulations in order to virtually engage in a certain real-life process. For instance, medical students can conduct VR surgeries and improve their skills and get experience without harming real people.

Flipped learning combined with Ar and VR technologies will provide students with more opportunities to engage and communicate. This will increase participation, help students engage instead of simply passively listening and get experience which had previously demanded much more effort.

5. Blockchain

Blockchain is based on a virtual ledger system that provides a secure means of transmitting information. This is one of the latest trends in educational technology. The most important thing about blockchain technology is that it is decentralized, and it is a transparent way to transact data (DLT). This technology will transform education in the coming years and help learners benefit from high-quality education through such courses: 

• Interaction with tutors from different parts of the world through the online learning platform.  
• A cost-effective cloud storage option to secure student’s records.
• A secure and protected storage vault for proper records management. 

Blockchain will provide an online learning platform equipped with learning materials and libraries. In this way, it can be combined with gamification to create Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) to help subsidize the costs for learners and many more. 

NIX has already contributed to Blockchain development in EdTech by creating a unique educational platform ARTiFACTS, which is purpose-built for academic and scientific research. Its main functions are the management of research projects and providing evidence of the first-place ownership of their work, referring to other works, and maintaining the invariance of these links by implementing the Proof-of-Existence and Proof-of-Attribution concepts. Created especially for researchers, the platform helps to promote scientific progress forward. Researchers can immutably and perpetually prove ownership and the existence of novel work, while at the same time, expand access to their scientific and academic research artifacts.

6. Cybersecurity

All the trends mentioned above have a positive influence on the education industry and the learning process. However, there are also negative tendencies: a significant negative trend worldwide is the increased risk of identity theft and malware. Improvements in cybersecurity are the solution however and it is also one of the emerging trends in educational technology.  

Improving cybersecurity involves solutions to combat identity theft, ransomware attacks, malware, and viruses on student devices, university servers, and data storages. Often these issues are caused by a lack of the right security tools. So, that is how cybersecurity becomes a major challenge of  EdTech development in 2019. Implementing improvement is critical in ensuring that students have a safe and productive environment to pursue their studies and also for tutors to be sure that their personal data is accurately protected.

Conclusion

The world around us is constantly changing and moving. The field of education is no different. The public education sector continues to embrace new technology. In addition, companies looking for the best and most skilled are frequently investing in education. 

NIX knows that the implementation of the latest technology innovations has a positive impact on both students and educators. We have vast expertise in working in the EdTech sector. Our skills extend from creating applications for little children to large education platforms, which unite people from all over the world. The NIX team of skilled business analysts, project managers, and developers understands trends in educational technology and is ready to deliver high-quality EdTech solutions, based on a strategy that will work for your business. 

Contact us to get more information and a free consultation. We will be happy to answer all of your questions.