Tech+Trends+for+2011

What does ye olde crystal ball say about education and technology in 2011? Here's a rundown of what I (and others) suspect will play out in the coming year. Please be sure to take a look at last year's predictions. Do you see any connections and/or continuations?


 * A shift from differentiated instruction to personalized instruction. Dell has created a personalized learning platform that, in theory, will allow each student to demonstrate mastery of subject matter via various outlets. What’s more, the platform is supposed to be able to adapt to different learning styles and needs.


 * 1:1 taking on different lives—It won't be simply students with their own laptops, but students accessing curriculum using a variety of devices, especially devices they already own. After all, a laptop for each student is expensive. Use what they've already got.


 * More web-based instruction at the K-12 level


 * Tablets will get their due. iPad competitors will step up their game. Samsung's Galaxy is a likely contender, however, the tablet runs on the Android operating system. Oh no! Not another operating system on the consumer market!!


 * Cloud computing will continue to be an inexpensive option to high-priced applications and storage


 * Assessment via tech devices will have a greater foothold—think instant feedback via “clickers”, blog and chat check-ins, Google Doc-based check-ins; moving away from waiting for papers to be grade


 * A slight pullback from full-throttle technology as people get back to basic communications and human interaction. Where does this one come from? The overall re-discovery of a simpler way of life. City folk are interested in raising chickens, buying locally, and so on. Teenagers' habits might actually be a more accurate bellweather: Email usage among teenagers is down 48%--teens text. What’s next? Maybe they’ll start talking to each other again.