Edgenuity, a leading provider of online learning solutions, today unveiled its top ed tech “Trends to Watch” in the new year. Among Edgenuity’s predictions: The need for technology ecosystems in most schools to receive substantial upgrades, including faster internet speed, required to seamlessly implement technology in the classroom. The full list of predictions is included in the news release below.
Scottsdale, AZ – January 29, 2014 – Edgenuity, a leading provider of online and blended learning solutions, today announced its top ed tech predictions for the new year as schools across the country increasingly look to leverage technology in their classrooms. Edgenuity’s “2014 Trends to Watch” are based on the company’s experience partnering with thousands of schools and districts to successfully implement online and blended learning programs across the country.
“Technology is transforming how teachers teach and students learn by personalizing the learning experience and engaging students in a way that motivates them to be more successful,” said Edgenuity CEO Sari Factor. “Edgenuity is excited to share our outlook on what’s to come in the rapidly evolving education landscape, all in the spirit of helping our educator partners better understand and prepare for new ways of educating students using technology.”
Edgenuity’s “Trends to Watch for 2014” include:
1) It’s All about Implementation
Creating change in schools is never easy, particularly the kind of change that drives demonstrably better student outcomes. Accordingly, the focus in education will not simply be on the latest hardware or innovation. Schools need to clearly define their instructional goals and build a solid implementation plan before purchasing the latest technology. Ultimately, any new program must be grounded in good instructional practice.
2) Wired for the 21st Century Classroom
With increased use of mobile devices, school leaders have realized a need for greater Internet bandwidth. In the coming year, it will become clear that the entire technology ecosystem in most schools needs a substantial upgrade, including updated computers, faster Internet speed, greater network capacity within the classroom, and the increasingly complex integrations required to seamlessly implement technology in the classroom.
3) Real-time Data to Personalize Instruction
Access to real-time data through technology will free teachers up to further differentiate instruction, whether for students who need extra help or extra challenge, or to provide instruction to small groups of students with similar needs. In the hands of the teacher, technology-based solutions become powerful tools to meet individual needs.
4) Career and Technical Education (CTE) for Everyone
CTE courses are too often thought of as solutions for only those students less likely to pursue higher education. In reality, classes geared towards job preparation can be valuable for all students. CTE courses can help students assess their career interests early on, learn the professional skills they need to succeed, and train for a career path before they enter college or the workforce. As schools look to prepare today’s students for life after high school, they will increasingly turn to the opportunities offered by CTE programs.
5) Competency, Not Age-Based Grouping, as the New Benchmark for Student Promotion
Technology-based instruction allows students to take more time to complete lessons if needed, or to move ahead at a faster pace than other students in their age group based on their mastery of academic content. Age cohorts will become increasingly archaic as schools build their ability to group students by competency rather than birthdates.
6) Ed Tech Goes Mainstream
Resistance to education technology will begin to break down as people see how eagerly today’s “digital native” students embrace online learning. Parents and teachers who have been in the classroom a long time will begin to realize the approaches that once motivated students may not work as well anymore. Today’s students are different, and ed tech will increasingly empower educators to meet them where they are – online.
About Edgenuity
Edgenuity provides engaging online education solutions that propel success for every student, empower every teacher to deliver more effective instruction, and enable schools and districts to meet their academic goals. Edgenuity delivers a range of Core Curriculum, AP®, Elective, Career and Technical Education (CTE), and Credit Recovery courses aligned to the rigor and high expectations of state, Common Core and iNACOL standards and designed to inspire life-long learning.
Fully flexible for use in any blended or online learning model, Edgenuity supports an environment where personalized learning is possible. With 185 semester-long courses and growing, Edgenuity has already driven outcomes for more than one million students in schools and districts across the country. For more information, and to see Edgenuity in action, visit Edgenuity.com.
“Technology is transforming how teachers teach and students learn by personalizing the learning experience and engaging students in a way that motivates them to be more successful,” said Edgenuity CEO Sari Factor. “Edgenuity is excited to share our outlook on what’s to come in the rapidly evolving education landscape, all in the spirit of helping our educator partners better understand and prepare for new ways of educating students using technology.”
Edgenuity’s “Trends to Watch for 2014” include:
1) It’s All about Implementation
Creating change in schools is never easy, particularly the kind of change that drives demonstrably better student outcomes. Accordingly, the focus in education will not simply be on the latest hardware or innovation. Schools need to clearly define their instructional goals and build a solid implementation plan before purchasing the latest technology. Ultimately, any new program must be grounded in good instructional practice.
2) Wired for the 21st Century Classroom
With increased use of mobile devices, school leaders have realized a need for greater Internet bandwidth. In the coming year, it will become clear that the entire technology ecosystem in most schools needs a substantial upgrade, including updated computers, faster Internet speed, greater network capacity within the classroom, and the increasingly complex integrations required to seamlessly implement technology in the classroom.
3) Real-time Data to Personalize Instruction
Access to real-time data through technology will free teachers up to further differentiate instruction, whether for students who need extra help or extra challenge, or to provide instruction to small groups of students with similar needs. In the hands of the teacher, technology-based solutions become powerful tools to meet individual needs.
4) Career and Technical Education (CTE) for Everyone
CTE courses are too often thought of as solutions for only those students less likely to pursue higher education. In reality, classes geared towards job preparation can be valuable for all students. CTE courses can help students assess their career interests early on, learn the professional skills they need to succeed, and train for a career path before they enter college or the workforce. As schools look to prepare today’s students for life after high school, they will increasingly turn to the opportunities offered by CTE programs.
5) Competency, Not Age-Based Grouping, as the New Benchmark for Student Promotion
Technology-based instruction allows students to take more time to complete lessons if needed, or to move ahead at a faster pace than other students in their age group based on their mastery of academic content. Age cohorts will become increasingly archaic as schools build their ability to group students by competency rather than birthdates.
6) Ed Tech Goes Mainstream
Resistance to education technology will begin to break down as people see how eagerly today’s “digital native” students embrace online learning. Parents and teachers who have been in the classroom a long time will begin to realize the approaches that once motivated students may not work as well anymore. Today’s students are different, and ed tech will increasingly empower educators to meet them where they are – online.
About Edgenuity
Edgenuity provides engaging online education solutions that propel success for every student, empower every teacher to deliver more effective instruction, and enable schools and districts to meet their academic goals. Edgenuity delivers a range of Core Curriculum, AP®, Elective, Career and Technical Education (CTE), and Credit Recovery courses aligned to the rigor and high expectations of state, Common Core and iNACOL standards and designed to inspire life-long learning.
Fully flexible for use in any blended or online learning model, Edgenuity supports an environment where personalized learning is possible. With 185 semester-long courses and growing, Edgenuity has already driven outcomes for more than one million students in schools and districts across the country. For more information, and to see Edgenuity in action, visit Edgenuity.com.
