Five educators on what 2024 will bring to education

Key points:

Does “new year, new you” apply to K-12 education in 2024? Things are certainly changing in classrooms, schools, and districts as educational technology tools, digital learning resources, and instructional strategies evolve to meet the needs of every student.

From cybersecurity and STEM learning to artificial intelligence and professional development, all aspects of education will see new advances in 2024.

Here's what five educators had to say about where education will take in 2024:

Finding new and innovative ways to support teachers will continue to be a priority for schools and districts in the coming year and beyond. In Saint Vrain, we have implemented artificial intelligence to provide teachers with additional support and provide relevant, meaningful, and high-quality professional learning opportunities. For example, this year our district launched the Exploration ai program to boost educators' use and understanding of this emerging technology through gamified and self-directed learning. We have also continued to use theai-coach-for-teachers/” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”> ai Trainer by Edthena platform to help teachers reflect on their practice, take action to improve instruction, and measure their progress on student outcomes.
Courtney Groskin, Instructional Learning Coach, St. Vrain Valley Schools, Longmont, Colorado.

Cybersecurity is a growing threat to schools. It's not a question of “if” an attack will occur, but rather “when.” I predict that in 2024 we will see a greater emphasis on cybersecurity in schools. School districts will take proactive steps to ensure student data is as secure as possible. This may include moving to a FERPA and CJIS compliant digital records management system, such as what we have done with doodle software. Other steps may include eliminating storage of social security numbers, providing specific cybersecurity training, and ensuring the district has an incident response plan in case of a cyberattack.
Beverly Miller, Assistant Principal of Schools for Administration/Director of technology, Greeneville City Schools in Tennessee

STEM opportunities are increasing for young students as elementary and early childhood programs increase exposure to STEM activities and careers. It is crucial that we take advantage of the many resources at our disposal to develop the 21st century skills needed for the workforce of the future. While the focus is often on secondary education, there is a great need to spark interest and encourage creativity when students' curiosity and independence are at their peak. Looking ahead to 2024, we should aim to integrate real-world problem solving that encourages critical thinking and collaboration at an early age. We are moving away from the days of traditional teacher-centered instruction, where desks were arranged in rows and the teacher was at the front of the room, toward a more collaborative, hands-on learning environment. Immersive technologies are rapidly reshaping the way students learn. artificial intelligence, augmented reality, and virtual reality will transform the way educators facilitate transdisciplinary learning in ways we never thought possible.
Jennifer Noah, STEM Facilitator, Dalraida Elementary School, Montgomery (AL) Public Schools, ClassVR Ambassador

At the Mason County Central School District, we are not only predicting the future of educational technology, we are also actively shaping it with our innovative immersive classroom. As one of the first K-12 institutions in the country to integrate an AR/VR immersive classroom, we are at the forefront of a revolution in learning. Our immersive classroom transcends traditional teaching methods and offers students an unparalleled interactive learning experience that brings lessons to life. This technology is not just a tool, it is a portal to a world of unlimited educational possibilities, fostering engagement, creativity and a deeper understanding of complex topics. As we look to the future, we see that our immersive classroom is not only closing learning gaps, but is also inspiring other schools to adopt this innovative approach, ensuring that the educational landscape continues to evolve and adapt to the needs of 20th century learners. XXI.
Miguel Quinteros, K-12 technology Coach, Mason County Central School District in Scottville, Michigan

The debate over cell phones in classrooms will continue to be a hot topic in 2024, and it's time for schools to find ways to incorporate students' cell phones into classes. Whether through artificial intelligence tools or collaboration applications, there are endless opportunities to use this technology to improve learning. This could include using an ai tool to add to a history assignment or having students use the Epson printer. iProjection App Project your work on the projector to share with the class. There are many ways to allow students to use their devices during class and demonstrate how to use technology to enrich their learning.
Mark Whelton, Superintendent, Bridgeport-Spaulding Community School District, Bridgeport, Michigan

Laura Ascione is the editorial director of eSchool Media. She graduated from the prestigious Philip Merrill School of Journalism at the University of Maryland.

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