While the New Media Consortium has pretty much stuck to their conclusions of the K-12 technology market’s future, this year, there are five changes that might be surprising to educators and administrators.

“The NMC Horizon Report: 2015 K–12 Edition weighs in at 58 pages and is intended to help guide educational-technology decision-makers through the complex and evolving trends shaping the industry,” said D. Frank Smith of Ed Tech Magazine.

“The findings are based on input from 56 experts across a variety of professions, including educators, futurists, journalists, information technologists and IT leaders. This year's list provided more than a few surprises, with new additions to the list, along with several technologies and strategies that dropped off completely.”

So what’s new?

Well it looks like the NMC is predicting a move to the Makerspace Cloud Computing technology in one year, according to the report. They are also anticipating a rise in “3D Printing/Rapid Prototyping” but this time it’s going to feature “Games and Gamification” in the next two to three years.

The NMC also predictions a boost in learning analytics in the next two to three years as well as badges and microcredit in the next four to five years. This pushes “the internet of things” off of the list completely.

The NMC is standing behind their previous prediction of wearable technology for the next four to five years as well as their “Bring Your Own Device” prediction over the next year or less.

One of the biggest surprises on the list might be the integration of 3D Printing capabilities in the classroom.

“The prediction that 3D printers will become significant classroom tools isn’t farfetched,” said Smith.

“The technology has already broken ground in K–12 schools. And with sales of 3D printers projected to grow by more than 500 percent from 2013-2018, it’s only a matter of time before that translates into mainstream.”

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Article by Navindra Persaud, Education World Contributor