It’s the start of a new decade—that means it’s time to come up with new goals, try out new technology, and get up to speed on the latest ed tech trends.We’ve made our predictions in years past. In anticipation of what’s to come in the new year, we’re highlighting six of the 2020 education trends that are sure to be top of mind for teachers, students, parents, and administrators in school districts across the country. 

Here are some of the ed tech trends we think will have a big influence on the K-12 space

1: Embedded LTE Chromebooks

We already know that Chromebooks are popular in K-12 (we broke down five reasons why LTE Chromebooks are such an important part of today’s K-12 classrooms back in October), but expect to see LTE Chromebooks become even more popular in 2020. 

Chromebooks continue to be game changing for students and teachers alike. Not only are these simple laptops highly affordable, they can also be customized specifically for the learning needs of students. Some LTE Chromebooks come with filtered, CIPA-compliant 4G LTE Internet connectivity and enough data for an entire school year.If you’re thinking about bringing LTE Chromebooks into your classrooms in 2020, here’s a helpful cheat sheet of what they are and how they work.

2: New Roles for Teachers

Just as students have had to adapt to new learning methods and subjects as a result of the rise of technology use in the classroom, so too will teachers have to adapt by embracing new roles and responsibilities.One of those roles: student. As Linda Cartwright notes in a blog post for Touro College, “a teacher is shifting from someone who knows things to someone who is a newbie, like the rest of the class.” The role is now more about guiding students through learning and helping them grow than in years past when the teacher was looked at as the fountain of knowledge in the classroom. 

As more and more tools are introduced into everyday classrooms, teachers will have to take on the role of explorer just like their young charges. And this evolution in their role could even lead them to earn certifications that help them perform better in the classroom. 

3: More Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence (AI) as a classroom tool has been a big topic in ed tech in recent years, and in 2020 it’s expected to remain one of the chief priorities for forward-thinking schools and educators. According to Cartwright, the use of AI in the classroom is expected to increase by over 47 percent in the next three years. 

There are many advantages to the use of AI in the classroom. As a tool, it’s nimble and efficient. It allows for individualized learning with feedback delivered in real-time. Perhaps most importantly, it’s a lot of fun. There’s an abundance of AI-powered apps and programs that can help students more effectively understand and apply concepts in fields essential to STEAM learning (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math).