Forecasting K-12 Edtech Adoption Trends

Trends change with the season. And in education technology, no one does a more persistent job of tracking these shifting patterns than the New Media Consortium. Last week, the Austin, TX-based organization gave a sneak peek at the 2014 K-12 Horizon Report, which projects fast, mid-range and long-range edtech adoption trends. Here are this year's forecasts--and the first thing that came to our mind, based on what we've been reporting on:

Fast (1-2 years)

• Rethinking the role of teachers; (and let's not forget how we train and support them for these new roles!)
• Shift to deep learning approaches; (buzzword warning: "Challenge-Based Learning")

Mid-range (3-5 years)

• Increasing focus on OER content; (seems like this is always on the horizon...)
• Increasing use of hybrid learning designs; (what's the difference between "blended" and "hybrid," you ask?)

Long-range (5+ years)

• Rapid acceleration of Intuitive Technology; (beginning with Oculus Rift...at your local Chuck E. Cheese?)
• Rethinking "How Schools Work" (newsflash: Already. Happening.)

The report also lists obstacles to adopting these wonderful technologies and practices:

Solvable Challenges

• Creating "Authentic Learning Opportunities";
• Integrating personalized learning;

Difficult Challenges (for which solutions are "elusive")

• Complex thinking and communication;
• Increased privacy concerns;

Wicked Challenges ("Those that are complex to even define, much less address")

• Competition from new models of education;
• Keeping formal education relevant.

The report preview concludes with a forecast for when specific technologies will make their way in K-12 education. Here, it's useful to compare and contrast the 2014 predictions with those from previous years. (Someone has to hold meteorologists accountable, right?)