The document discusses key themes and trends in education technology for 2013, including blended learning, the utilization of data, and the rise of affordable tablets in education, particularly in emerging markets. It highlights the importance of free educational content, informal learning opportunities, and the development of educational marketplaces. The author envisions a future where education is accessible, efficient, and personalized, with collaboration among teachers, students, and parents.

1. Education Themes and
Trends 2013
Gregg Alpert
alpertgm8@gmail.com
February 2013

2. Overview
• Education Technology
• Themes and Trends

4. Ed Tech Themes and Trends
1. Blended Learning
2. Data and Utilizing New Data
3. Free Education Content & Products
4. Rise of the Tablet
5. Education in Emerging Markets
6. The Maker
7. Learning to Code / Bootcamps for Everything
8. Informal Learning and Displaying Competencies
9. Education Marketplaces / Platforms
10. Other

5. Education Technology
Free
Education Content and
Marketplaces Products
Blended
Informal Learning /
Tablets /
Displaying
Competencies Learning Mobile
Education in
Data / Utilizing
Emerging
Data
Markets

6. Blended Learning
Primary focus still on creating a
great school environment with
great teachers, school leaders and
school culture

7. Data
Lots of new data being created by
educational software applications (blended
learning environments, adaptive learning
platforms, behavior management and apps
connected to SIS / LMS)
Utilizing New Data
More effective teaching and learning; improving learning outcomes
a. Personalizing learning
b. Teachers grouping students based on competency rather than age
c. Pinpointing problem areas and where students need the most help

8. Free Education Content and Products
What is happening
• Free quality content in K-12 and higher ed / MOOCs are here to stay and only
getting better
• Higher Ed will get disrupted
• Companies going direct to consumer are experiencing rapid growth and a number of
huge successes
• These are all great things for the world of education; increases access and
efficiency in educating the world
Lessons Learned
• Teachers and Students want to easily test and use products
• Adoption needs to be easy
• Products need to be useful and work like consumers other non education products
(i.e. fb, google docs)
• Need to get to market extremely fast, iterate fast and move quickly

9. Rise of the Tablet
Cheap Tablets
• Aakash, Kindle, Chromebooks, Nook, the next
tablet, software that can be used on any android
based tablet
This enables a couple of things
• Easier to create blended learning models in K-12
• Developing countries can leapfrog crappy systems
and start using top of the line SaaS products and
immediately implement new tools, capture data,
and provide better learning experiences

10. Education in Emerging Markets
Pair cheap tablets / devices + free education
content & products + connected apps (via APIs)
= the perfect combination for education in
emerging markets

11. The Maker
• DIY.org
• MakerFaire.com
• Learning to code -
becoming doers

12. Learning to Code / Bootcamps for Everything

13. Informal Learning and Displaying Competencies
• Informal Learning (offline and online): General
Assembly, Skillshare, Meetup.com, Udacity, Coursera,
MITx, EdX, Udemy
• Displaying competencies: VERI, LearningJar,
Degreed, Linkedin
Taking data from offline and online courses and displaying
competency for college admission and / or job prospects

14. Education Marketplaces / Platforms
• iTunes edu apps & iTunesU; google play for edu apps; Amazon;
edshelf edu apps
• MOOCs; Professional skills course marketplaces: Udemy, Lynda

15. Classroom of the Future

16. Appendix / Other Things I am Watching

17. Higher Order Thinking / Skill Development
• Workforce Training
o Skill Development
o Retooling
• Lumosity: brain games and training, mixing
game playing and brain development
• Minerva Project: creating a new model for
higher ed

18. My Vision for the Future of Education
• Accessible, Efficient,
Engaging, Fun
• Teachers, Students, and Parents all working
together to help a student succeed
• Learners of all ages accessing the
personalized content and tools they need to
learn what they want anytime, anywhere

19. Sources
• http://hackeducation.com/2012/11/19/top-ed-tech-trends-of-2012-the-business-of-ed-tech/
• http://hackeducation.com/2012/12/21/top-10-ed-tech-startups-of-2012/
• http://kpcb.com/insights/2012-internet-trends
• http://hackeducation.com/2012/11/28/top-ed-tech-trends-of-2012-flipped-classroom/
• http://hackeducation.com/2012/11/27/top-ed-tech-trends-of-2012-learning-to-code/
• http://hackeducation.com/2012/11/21/top-ed-tech-trends-of-2012-maker-movement/
• http://www.hackeducation.com/blog/tag.php?Search_Tag=platform
• https://www.edsurge.com/n/2012-12-26-top-education-technology-tools-q3-q4-2012
• http://www.networkworld.com/slideshow/78425/16-most-anticipated-tech-products-
of-2013.html#slide18
• http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/startups-to-look-out-for-in-2013/?
utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+mediaredef+
%28jason+hirschhorn%27s+Media+ReDEFined%29
• http://educationelements.com/news/10-predictions-for-blended-learning-in-2013
• http://educationelements.com/blog/my-top-5-wishes-for-blended-learning-in-2013
• http://www.impatientoptimists.org/Posts/2013/01/The-Next-Generation-of-Personalized-Learning
• http://gettingsmart.com/cms/blog/2012/07/why-arent-there-any-next-gen-learning-platforms
• http://hackeducation.com/2012/12/12/top-ed-tech-trends-of-2012-platforming-of-education//
• http://hackeducation.com/2012/11/28/top-ed-tech-trends-of-2012-flipped-classroom/
• http://www.impatientoptimists.org/Posts/2013/01/The-Next-Generation-of-Personalized-Learning