Five Emerging Trends in 21st-Century Education


Photo credit: (C) 2019 Scott Freiberger

By Scott B. Freiberger

With the advent of new technologies being infused in school curricula, educators and school leaders are beginning to rethink all facets of data in the classroom. New, innovative methods of data collection are continually being developed, which offers new options for ongoing formative, culminating summative, and alternative assessments.  Yet what precisely do nouveau research-based instructional strategies entail?  Although challenges in curricula design may arise due to advanced technology integration, schools are nonetheless embracing the future.  Here are five emerging trends for 21st-century classrooms.

1. App Innovation and Gamification

As a result of the recent explosion in education-related apps, educators can decipher students’ interests, academic passions, and “trouble spots” more readily and in real-time to differentiate and fine-tune instruction.  MIT App Inventor, for example, enables students to create their own apps in the comfort of their classrooms.  The app offers training for students, a forum and additional support for educators, and a challenge for students to create their own apps.  At the same time, education-related games that enhance skills in English language arts and other subjects have exploded in popularity, such as Mathalicious and Get the Math, which provide practical, true-to-life experiences.  As students become comfortable utilizing online games to learn, educators can entice students via new apps to fine-tune skill-specific areas, such as mathematics and science.

2. Digital Literacy 

Creating a digital literacy curriculum can be based on students’ developmental stages, and educators should be cognizant of both the risks, such as distractions, and myriad learning opportunities, that technology integration and utilization in the classroom may provide.  With increasing numbers of teachers using technology in the classroom and schools permitting students to become engaged with content via digital literacy, some schools are adopting formal digital literacy curriculum and digital literacy plans.  Perhaps as a result, Google has published a plethora of resources about understanding digital literacy and digital citizenship, including YouTube videos, teacher’s guides, and lesson plans.

Digital literacy may encompass simple student tasks such as creating classroom presentations or more intricate, collaborative work, such as video clip creations or posting online mind-maps using digital tools.  The field of digital literacy will continue to grow in importance in the coming years as newer approaches to learning via new technologies are embraced.  

3. Library Media Specialists  

Across the United States, and indeed throughout the world, libraries are increasingly becoming local technology hubs. Since libraries offer myriad services which require some knowledge of technology and how to access the Internet, librarians’ job descriptions and key responsibilities have drastically changed.

Library Media Specialists today remain informed about new technologies, research methods, and how students (and the general public) integrate digital formats into their work.  In a separate, newfound administrative role, Library Media Specialists must not only establish technology policies and become responsible for budget oversight, but they must also plan the physical and virtual library space, and create a welcoming, positive, and innovative atmosphere.  Considering how new digital formats should be arranged in new workstations and deciding which specific formats to choose could affect physical layout, budget planning and alignment, and commons space issues.  Consequently, as a result of technology integration and classroom utilization, this position has grown significantly in importance.

Today, Library Media Specialists have myriad new responsibilities. For instance, they evaluate and produce information through the active use of a broad range of tools, resources, and information technologies.  This position, particularly at the high school and collegiate levels, may also integrate technology into the curriculum, which requires a keen understanding of how new technologies enhance the learning process for students while adhering to rigorous state standards.  Library Media Specialists will continue to grow in importance as technology is integrated into 21st -century school curricula.

4. Self-Directed Professional Development

In recent years, we have seen an increase in self-directed professional development (PD) for educators that includes online, interactive webinars, or videos and other content that may be streamed through web browsers.  One recently-published article offers a tempting feast of online options for educators to choose from.  Since states are increasingly demanding that certified educators update their skills to remain in compliance with ethical and legal guidelines and become familiar with the latest standards, some school districts are turning to self-directed, online modules to provide educators opportunities to complete interactive learning components to remain abreast of the latest developments in education.

5. Collaborative Learning 

New applications are making it easier for classroom teachers to be both innovative and interactive, and this trend is expected to grow exponentially in the coming years.  From Google Docs to interactive whiteboards to new applications that create quizzes and activities, this is an exciting time for collaborative learning in education.

Kahoot is an application worth highlighting.  At no cost for educators to download and install, educators may conceive of fun quizzes and learning activities to enhance student engagement.  According to one review, this management system enables educators more flexibility in managing students’ learning and documenting progress from any device.

Educreations Interactive Whiteboard by Edmodo is another way for both educators and students alike to assess, jointly present, or partake in interactive activities.  Unlike Kahoot, however, which is available gratis, the Educreations Interactive Whiteboard is available for individual classroom purchase from Edmodo for $11.99/month. 

New technologies have thus become a boon for school leaders and educators to collaborate and hone their skills.  Advancements in technology should continue to enhance collaborative learning, along with improving dynamic group presentations in 21st-century school settings.

This article originally appeared here.

BIO

Scott Freiberger, a passionate literacy coach with school building/district leader certification, is honored to be the 2018 TESOL International Teacher of the Year.  Twitter: @scottfreiberger

Popular posts from this blog

Todd’s Eight Rules of the Road: Lessons for Leadership and Lifelong Learning

Image
                                                                    © 2025 Scott Freiberger This article is dedicated to my youngest brother Todd "Fantastic,” who lived life the way most of us can only dream, full of adventure, joy, kindness, and an unrelenting desire to leave the world better than he found it. Todd believed that learning was not only something to be done in classrooms or on paper, but it was also a lifelong pursuit, an attitude, and a way of being. He embraced the world with open arms, eager to share what he learned and inspire others to do the same. His philosophy was simple yet profound:  “As long as you're always learning, you're always winning.” To...
Read more

Five Concepts to Cultivate a Compassionate Culture via a Largely Mental Health Lens

Image
By Scott B. Freiberger   (C) 2021 Scott B. Freiberger For many students, these past few years have been far beyond banal (an austere advisory from the U.S. Surgeon General should be a clarion call to inform us all).   Disconnected from daily school life and largely separated by screens, it’s imperative for students, especially in buildings, to build a basic sense of belonging, keep kindness in their consciousness, and encounter intercultural connections.   Tens of terrific tenets, such as establishing self-efficacy, augmenting self-awareness, setting great goals, co-acting, co-functioning, cooperating, and collaborating, need to be mindfully modeled and explicitly instructed. Research [also] affirms that access to interconnected resources will further improve school climate…[and] student equity .   Here are five concepts to cultivate a compassionate school culture via a largely mental health lens.   1. Highlight Health, Safety, and Clear Communication in ...
Read more

Disrupting Leadership: Five Considerations for Professional Learning in the New Normal

Image
Photo credit: Taipei 101 Wind Damper (c) 2019 Scott Freiberger By Scott B. Freiberger  We’ve seen the nascent news.   We’ve contemplated myriad upcoming conundrums and perceive what’s coming down the unpliable pike.   Get your game plan gloves on.   Decisions of gravity require heavy lifting.   In these turbulent times, this instructional coach and aspiring school leader delved into data-driven dialogue with several top school leaders , recognizing research-based, nouveau realities. Which prudent path should school leaders pursue to reimagine learning?   Here are five considerations for professional learning in the new normal. 1. Soft-Serve a Superabundance of SEL This is a tumultuous time for everyone: administrators, educators, and chiefly, children, and I had penned about the importance of infusing social-emotional learning (SEL) into curricula both here and there .   Now nearly  everywhere , children need to feel connected with authent...
Read more