Education TECHnology Trends Report – 2015

The year 2015 has been a very exciting one for education, with the embracing of digital technology, internet culture and the unstoppable global entrepreneurial movement. Whether this is the result of an evolution, revolution, disruption or simply survival, it is a matter for a deeper debate (one that is, actually, present in most educational forums). This issue brings a few examples through the voices of leading experts and leading companies that wonder about the challenges these rapid and uncontrolled changes bring to the future of education.

The tech giants have strongly bet on education, radically changing the market and provoking a severe "headache" within the publishing companies that have owned and controlled this market up to now. LinkedIn narrows the gap between learning and employment when it acquires Lynda.com. Facebook offers education software for K-12. Google finally shares its machine-learning technology. Intel targets the gender imbalance in STEM subjects. These are only a few examples that indicate the significant entry of these powerful companies into the educational market, as a whole.

Students' loss of motivation has surfaced as the main problem for educators, especially when their motivation and interest flourish as active internet users and creators. The inability of the educational system to overcome this problem brings into question its role in preparing the next generation within a fast-moving society. The exploration of internet culture and of active learning strategies, such as YouTubers, Reddit or Maker Spaces, is guiding the way to new pedagogical approaches.

Finally, the power of connectivity is allowing for global EdTech alliances, showcasing entrepreneurial initiatives from different corners of the world, as well as helping strengthen local EdTech ecosystems. Hopefully, this will empower startups from regions not usually under the spotlight of advancement, such as the example pictured on our cover, an entrepreneur from Kenya who won the Global EdTech Startup Awards 2015!

For the full issue – see here.