Engagement and security highlight 5 key trends in ed-tech for 2022

School leaders will need secure, flexible and high-quality remote learning capabilities
Allen Drennan
Allen Drennan

K-12 schools will need to implement specialized and specific ed-tech solutions to meet the expectations of their remote/hybrid remote students and employees. The quality of the online experience will be a differentiator and will be necessary for institutions to stay competitive.

School leaders will need secure, flexible and high-quality remote learning capabilities in the event of occasional shifts to hybrid learning. Notable ed-tech trends will be those that enhance the quality of the hybrid experience, for all organizations and institutions.

Trends will be focused on meeting goals in two key areas: seamless, highly engaging online experiences and enabling optimal security. Some of the specifics include the following:

1. Technology with security and privacy at the core

Steps must be taken to ensure that safety and security standards are elevated for all remote higher education experiences. Districts must ensure student privacy and protect their personal information, identities, and content.

New standards, policies and protocols must be created at the institutional level, and that includes implementing tools and technology that are more secure. Accepted standards for technology products will emerge as the demand for secure tools rises.

2. Tools that support the shift to immersive visual communications

Instead of simple video and audio conferencing, future best-of-breed solutions will include immersive video communications that allow remote learners to have the experience and interactions of an in-person classroom.

3. Advanced collaboration tools that promote engagement

Tools are now enabling stronger and more advanced remote communication. This emerging technology will engage learners and audiences in more effective ways that allow for easier collaboration and more active experiences.

These tools should also carry the benefit of building community and relationships among students if they’re learning in person or remotely.

4. More seamless blending of disparate technologies

Hybrid and remote learning is diminished when too many disparate tools result in a disjointed experience. Solutions need to be focused, with authentication and security expectations, and the integration of advanced tools must be addressed.

For example, learning management systems must seamlessly integrate with collaboration tools. APIs are the preferred integration method to connect tools. Along with high-quality remote experiences, remote students need seamless access to administration, registration, and advising.

5. Media will be an integrated part of all communications

All forms of media will be easily available and accessible to remote working and learning solutions and users will be able to engage the audience with whatever form they choose.

Conclusion: Elevating hybrid and remote learning

One of the lessons from the last 18 months is the need for more flexibility and adaptability. Remote and hybrid learning creates greater accessibility for students who would not be able to choose a traditional in-person experience. But online ed-tech must be able to meet the expectations to deliver an optimal learning experience and deliver these experiences to more communities.

Allen Drennan is the CEO of the videoconferencing platform, Lumicademy.

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