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.
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,
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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.