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Gamification and iPads in the Classroom
In 2010, gamification, which is the use of game elements in activities (such as Kahoot!), made a significant integration into the classroom. In addition, iPads were also introduced into the classroom. Both of these emergences helped to improve student engagement and participation with creativity through technology. https://www.teachthought.com/education/a-brief-history-of-gamification-in-education/
https://agirepair.com/evolution-of-technology-in-the-classroom/ -
PLEs and Web 2.0 Technologies
Following the boom in Web 2.0 technologies, the concept of PLEs, or Personal Learning Environments, reached its peak in 2011. This is a modern approach to education where a large range of resources are used to create a learning ecosystem created for a learner's specific needs and goals.
https://www.teachfloor.com/elearning-glossary/what-is-ple-personal-learning-environment#:~:text=and%20career%20goals.-,What%20does%20PLE%20stand%20for%3F,objectives%20are%20at%20the%20forefront. -
Introduction of Chromebooks into the Classroom
The Chromebook was invented in 2011 and then hit classrooms in 2012. By 2019, upwards of 30 million educators and learners were using Chromebooks. The use of Chromebooks has given countless individuals access to the internet and educational tools in the classroom.
https://agirepair.com/evolution-of-technology-in-the-classroom/ -
Open Textbooks
Open textbooks provide openly licensed versions of written textbooks (i.e. OpenStax). They are available digitally to be used for free by anyone. This is an important development in educational technology because the high prices of textbooks are an issue in education that can often result in a student not getting their required texts, or not even taking the class at all.
https://studentpirgs.org/assets/uploads/archive/sites/student/files/resources/Open%20Textbooks%20Guide.pdf -
Google Classroom
Google Classroom is a web-based learning platform used in schools all over the world. It launched in 2014 and quickly became used in educational settings. By late 2015, about 10 million teachers and students were using Google Classroom. This is a great platform for schools and educators to use for students because it allows for easy collaboration, submissions, and announcements.
https://www.edsurge.com/news/2016-09-27-a-timeline-of-google-classroom-s-march-to-replace-learning-management-systems -
Instructure/Canvas LMS
Instructure, which is an educational platform that includes Canvas LMS, was started in 2008. In 2015, Instructure went public on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), catapulting it into the program used today. This program is revolutionary because Canvas LMS is used by students globally to manage their courses.
https://www.instructure.com/about/our-story -
2016 National Education Technology Plan (NETP)
The 2016 NETP was released by the Department of Education "articulating a vision of equity, active use, and collaborative leadership to make everywhere, all-the-time learning possible." The plan highlighted needing a move from passive to active use of technology, an infrastructure to make learning everywhere possible, and an emphasis on teachers developing a vision of how technology can support learning. This brings a great awareness to educational technology.
https://all4ed.org/blog/netp/ -
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) Technologies
Starting in about 2017, AI and ML technologies in educational tech began showing huge improvements. This heavily impacted the development of personalized learning platforms for students. Some of these improvements include learning analytics, intelligent tutoring systems, chatbots and virtual assistants, and more.
https://colorwhistle.com/evolution-of-edutech-industry/ -
Virtual, Augmented, and Mixed Reality in Education
Although this technology has been around for some time, due to the release of more affordable virtual, augmented, and mixed reality accessories, as of 2018, it is becoming a new way of teaching and learning. This can be beneficial because it can be used to travel to past or inaccessible places/locations, not only for typical students, but for students with disabilities, too.
https://acerforeducation.acer.com/education-trends/education-technology/8-education-technology-trends-for-2018/ -
Smartboards in the Classroom
Smartboards have been around for decades, but now that prices have fallen in 2019, more schools are investing in them. This is a valuable tool for students and teachers. They are extremely interactive, and even accommodate students with different learning styles at the same time (tactile, visual, auditory, etc.).
https://elearningindustry.com/2019-edtech-trends-excited -
eLearning/Distance Learning
The biggest trend of 2020 when it comes to educational technology was eLearning and distance learning because of the COVID-19 pandemic. During this time, teacher and students shifted from an in-person format to an entirely electronic classroom format. This whole experience was monumental in education because we were able to see what we were really capable of in educational technology.
https://elearningindustry.com/top-educational-technology-trends-2020-2021