PRE-K – HIGH SCHOOL
The first public school opened in the United States in 1635, and the Boston Latin
School remains the nation’s oldest public school. Early education didn’t focus on math
or science, but on the virtues of family, religion and community. Nearly 400 years
later, schools are harnessing the fundamental principles of community, and although
it may look very different in this day and age, a strong focus is being put on the
importance of creating a safe school culture and tapping into technology for limitless
learning.
In 2019, students, parents, teachers, and administrators are seeing changes both
inside and outside of the classroom. One of the biggest changes in recent years comes
in the form of technology. Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to change education
tools and is expected to increase in implementation in U.S. classrooms by 47.5% in the
next three years, according to the Artificial Intelligence Market in the U.S. Education
Sector report. In addition to AI, other technologies are providing students with the
opportunity to connect with classmates in other countries, giving teachers the ability
to educate a virtual classroom from the comfort of their own home, and expanding
access to applications that were once inaccessible.
Another key focus in education this year is on ensuring that students feel safe,
connected, supported, and challenged through a variety of different ways. School
culture and safety are being addressed and adapted based on recent school safety
concerns across the country. Teachers, administrators, families, and community
groups are putting a critical focus on social-emotional learning activities to facilitate
a better look into dealing with anger management, conflict resolution, empathy, and
other important life skills. School is often the only place where social and emotional
learning deficiencies can be addressed; therefore teaching students these invaluable
life skills ultimately prepares them to become active members of society. This is
another pivotal point in a teacher’s role in the classroom.
Teachers continue to play an integral role in the lives of students, one that cannot
be replaced with even the most advanced type of technology. This isn’t to say that the
way we taught even 15 years ago is suitable. Teachers’ roles are continually changing,
and their need to adapt is critical to students’ success. School administrators must
also support and train educators with the tools and techniques they are being given to
ensure successful integration in the classroom.
SECONDARY EDUCATION
It was recently reported that teenagers spend nine hours a day with technology.
Whether in the form of social media, listening to music, playing games, or texting
with friends, technology plays an integral role in their lives. Educators have taken
note and are now reaching teenagers where they are spending a majority of their time.
Digital tools are providing teachers with the opportunity to incorporate personalized
learning to students in a way that benefits them. For example, AI is being used to allow
for greater individualized and differentiated learning to be conducted by teachers.
Applications that provide learning and testing for students can identify opportunities
for them to excel, flag potential gaps in understanding, and provide feedback on
learning progress.
One exciting feature that will dramatically enhance technology capabilities in the
classroom is the integration of 5G technology. Predicted to be ubiquitous by 2020, 5G
technology allows for data speeds almost 1,000 percent faster than 4G, empowering
educators with the ability to provide a seamless platform for limitless learning. 5G will
allow for applications to run without fail or interruption, download speeds to increase
dramatically, and a significantly greater number of devices to be able to connect
without delays. Just another exciting way technology is expected to enhance learning.
EARLY EDUCATION
The next generation is starting to have children. This generation grew up in the
1980s and early 1990s, when televisions were “old news” and computers were just
starting to creep into people’s homes. Gen Yers, as they’ve been named, can still
vividly remember the sound of the dial-up tone as they anticipated the number of
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