The National Ed Tech Plan and the conclusion of ESSER funding will have repercussions, affecting various aspects, including student devices and school safety.
In 2024, K–12 education is poised for transformative change. School IT administrators must be prepared to navigate and adapt as various federal-level shifts create ripples throughout the education landscape.
The final round of the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funding, set to expire in September, will significantly impact the budgets of many schools this year. Numerous K–12 institutions heavily relied on this funding to sustain new educational technology programs, encompassing the provision of devices to both teachers and students.
Additionally, the Office of Educational Technology is gearing up to unveil its updated National Educational Technology Plan (NETP) in early 2024. The revisions to the NETP will take into account the extensive changes in the K–12 technology landscape resulting from the pandemic and the subsequent accelerated digital transformation.
The anticipated K–12 edtech trends in 2024 are a culmination of ongoing changes that will be brought into sharper focus by major factors set to alter educational technology. Here are five key aspects that K–12 IT leaders should be vigilant about:
Solutions and Services for Managing the Lifecycles of School Devices
In 2024, schools will be seeking ways to maintain the device lifecycle within tighter budgets. They will require tools assisting IT departments in extending the life of devices, along with services from experts who understand when and where to procure devices to maximize return on investment.
Services such as break-fix solutions and asset tagging can extend the viability of devices by a few extra years, significantly impacting a school’s budget when seeking to maximize resources.
Integration of Artificial Intelligence Technology in Classrooms to Assist Educators
AI is increasingly becoming a valuable tool for aiding teachers, addressing issues such as high burnout rates by handling repetitive administrative tasks. It facilitates more efficient analysis of student data, enabling teachers to make informed adjustments to content or implement personalized learning models as needed.
Companies like Google and Microsoft are emphasizing the AI aspects of their offerings while introducing new ways for educators to leverage these tools. For instance, Merlyn Mind, as the first company to introduce an AI-powered classroom assistant for K–12, recently launched the first large language model for education.
While these tools may not completely eradicate teacher burnout in 2024, they provide crucial assistance in modern classrooms.
Technologies for Simplifying School Network Management
In terms of networking equipment, K–12 IT professionals are unlikely to witness a surge in the adoption of the latest wireless upgrade, Wi-Fi 7. Instead, there will be an emphasis on advanced technologies aiding in the monitoring and analysis of network traffic.
Present-day networking solutions, such as those offered by Juniper Networks, provide a single-pane-of-glass dashboard that enables IT administrators to identify areas where users face challenges in connecting to the network or where bandwidth is particularly scarce. These tools facilitate remote adjustments, saving valuable time and work hours for IT departments.
Establishing Identity and Access Management as the Cornerstone of a Zero Trust Framework
Strategies such as multifactor authentication and single sign-on are integral components of a zero-trust model.
Schools yet to implement multifactor authentication can explore solutions from providers like Cisco Duo, Okta, and RapidIdentity, among others. These tools offer a relatively easier implementation compared to other components of a zero-trust strategy, often challenging for K–12 organizations due to a lack of personnel and cybersecurity expertise.
Technology for Ensuring Physical Safety, Prevention, and Mental Health in Educational Institutions
Throughout 2024, schools will be seeking comprehensive systems ensuring the safety of all school areas for teaching and learning. Companies in the safety technology space are increasingly providing holistic packages to schools, encompassing cameras, alert systems, and door locks.
Advanced safety technologies are working in tandem, utilizing AI and Internet of Things capabilities to safeguard staff and students on campus.
Even technologies focused on monitoring and enhancing student mental health are gaining traction as a means to ensure the safety of children in schools.
Tools like GoGuardian’s Beacon software, which detects search queries and text in online documents indicating potential harm, contribute to creating a safer learning environment.
While ensuring student safety is not a novel concept in K–12 schools, education leaders are better equipped than ever with the help of advanced technologies to provide a secure learning environment.
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