K-12 education is on the brink of change in 2024. With numerous changes at the federal level impacting the entire educational landscape, school IT administrators must be ready to adapt.
The final round of elementary and middle school emergency relief funding is set to expire in September, impacting many schools’ budgets this year. Many K-12 institutions relied on this funding to maintain new educational technology programs, including providing devices to teachers and students.
In addition, the Department of Educational Technology plans to release an updated National Educational Technology Plan in early 2024. The NETP revisions take into account the significant changes in the K-12 technology environment due to the pandemic and its subsequent acceleration. Digital transformation.
The K-12 technology trends of 2024 are an amalgamation of ongoing changes brought into focus by the key factors that are changing educational technology. Here are five things K–12 IT leaders should keep in mind:
1. Tools and services to maintain the lifecycle of school devices
Many schools relied on ESSER funding to launch one-to-one device programs for students. As school districts prepare to update these devices, they must do so without borrowing ESSER funds.
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In 2024, schools will look for ways to maintain device lifecycles on tighter budgets. IT departments need tools to help extend the lifespan of devices. You also need service from a professional who knows when and where to buy devices to get the best return on investment.
For example, break-fix service and asset tagging can keep devices in service for an additional two years, which can make a big difference when a school’s budget is stretched.
The service also helps schools develop cost-optimization strategies that save money in other areas, giving them the leeway to update student devices when the need arises.
2. Artificial Intelligence Technology in the Classroom to Support Teachers
You can’t talk about the biggest trends in education technology without mentioning artificial intelligence. The hottest topics in K-12 education technology circles in 2023 will remain relevant in 2024, especially as technology vendors integrate solutions into their teaching and learning products.
One way AI is becoming pervasive in the classroom is as a tool to assist teachers. Teacher burnout rates remain high, with many educators citing additional work due to understaffing as a major cause.
74%
Percentage of educators who had to take over the duties of absent colleagues due to staffing shortages
Source: nea.org, “NEA Study: Massive Staffing Shortages in Schools are Leading to Educator Burnout. Alarming Number of Educators Indicate Plans to Leave the Profession,” February 1, 2022
AI technology is assisting educators in a variety of ways, including as a solution to repetitive administrative tasks. It also enables teachers to analyze student data more efficiently, allowing them to better adjust content and implement personalized learning models as needed.
Companies like Google and Microsoft are focusing on existing AI aspects of their products while creating new ways for educators to use these tools. Merlyn Mind, the first company to introduce an AI-powered classroom assistant for K-12, recently released the first large-scale language model for education.
Even in 2024, these tools may not be able to eradicate teacher burnout. This is a more serious and complex challenge in the K-12 education system. But we can provide much-needed support in modern classrooms.
Related: Can educators use technology to improve mental health and workflow?
3. Technology to make managing your school network easier
Bandwidth and connectivity will continue to play a critical role in K-12 schools in 2024. The number of devices is not decreasing, and there is no need to connect these devices to the school network.
When it comes to networking equipment, K-12 IT professionals are unlikely to see increased adoption of the latest wireless upgrade, Wi-Fi 7. Instead, you’ll likely see more advanced technology that helps monitor and analyze network traffic.
Today’s network solutions like Juniper Networks provide a single-screen dashboard that allows IT administrators to see where users are struggling to connect to the network or where bandwidth is especially scarce. Masu. These tools help IT departments make adjustments remotely, saving valuable time and effort.
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4. Identity and access management as the foundation for zero trust
The zero trust security concept is also gaining momentum in other industries as K-12 schools find ways to begin laying the foundations for this approach. One area where many schools are already working towards zero trust is identity and access management.
Strategies like multi-factor authentication and single sign-on are components of the Zero Trust model.
Schools that have not yet implemented multi-factor authentication should look for solutions from providers like Cisco Duo, Okta, and RapidIdentity. Although these tools are easier to implement than other components of a Zero Trust strategy, K-12 organizations lack the talent and cybersecurity expertise to accomplish this strategy. It’s often a struggle.
Dig deeper: Claim IT managed services for your K-12 school.
5. Techniques for physical safety, prevention, and mental health in schools
Last, but not least, K-12 IT administrators should track trends in school safety technology. From tools to deny entry to suspicious (or clearly dangerous) individuals to tools to detect bad student behavior like vaping in the restroom or fighting in the hallway, physical safety solutions have become a must-have for schools. I am.
By 2024, schools will be looking for systems that keep every part of the school safe for teaching and learning. Safety technology companies often work to provide schools with the entire package, from cameras and alarm systems to door locks.
Advanced safety technologies work together to protect staff and students on campus using AI and Internet of Things capabilities.
Even technology that monitors and improves student mental health is trending as a way to keep kids safe at school. Tools such as GoGuardian’s Beacon software detect search queries and text in online documents that may indicate that a student is planning to harm themselves or others.
While student safety itself is not a trend or new idea in K-12 schools, educational leaders are now better equipped than ever to provide safe learning environments with the help of advanced technology. I am.
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