A preview of the K-12 Horizon Report has revealed the major EdTech trends that are becoming more mainstream and more prevalent in classrooms across the country are makerspaces and BYOD (Bring Your Own Device).

The report, described by eSchoolNews as "an annual trend setting look at the current state of technology and learning produced by the New Media Consortium," looks at what technology is currently being used in classrooms and the staying power/maximum impact of these trends.

As for what specific technology trends are slated to reach mainstream status, the preview of the report indicated that makerspaces and BYOD are two EdTech efforts that could soon be in over 20 percent of classrooms.

For those unfamiliar, makerspaces are rooted in STEM learning and are places designated for learning in the school, frequently in the school library.

They are simply described by Makerspace.com as "community centers with tools." These spaces serve as areas that unify individual students with the purpose of "providing access to equipment, community, and education, and all are unique in exactly how they are arranged to fit the purposes of the community they serve."

BYOD, on the other hand, stands for 'Bring Your Own Device,' a policy that allows for students to bring their own technology to supplement his or her own learning. BYOD represents an official change in school policy where students are allowed to use their own devices in the classroom.

The preview also revealed technology adoption has defined two long-term movements that could potentially change the traditional classroom as its known. The first movement is an emphasis on project and challenge-based learning, and the second is a focus on flexible schedules and independent learning "to turn toward multidisciplinary approaches," the article said.

Read the full article here and comment below.

Article by Nicole Gorman, Education World Contributor

05/11/2015