We’d love to reveal new exclusives on revolutionary advances in educational technology but Tech developments are evolutionary. Sustainability is essential and although tame in their appearance, some exciting announcements head up next year’s trends:
Cheaper Tablets:
When the word tablet is hailed, most think of the sleekness of Apple or dare I say Microsoft with their first attempt – surface, but hand in hand with these premium tablets come a premium price tag. Yet as market competition becomes more aggressive and demand for affordable devices gathers speed, price leadership strategies turn towards low-cost. The surge in cheaper alternatives is expected next year with the likes of Amazon and the newly released Kindle Fire HD paving the way.
What does all this mean? :
- With the iPad & iPad Mini, Microsoft Surface, Samsung Galaxy Tab & Note, ASUS Nexus and Motorola Zoom all retailing above £150 the financial burden for schools and tuition centre’s is still preventing many from embarking on digital first strategies. 2013 should see this burden lifted as Forbes speculates some devices to be available for as little as £30 before the year end.
- Digital natives have grown up on a diet of new devices, apps, online gaming, YouTube, Facebook and wireless connectivity. Most are well acquainted with touchscreen technology and as such have certain expectations on the way they want to digest information. This “everyday technology”, from smartphones and tablets to on the go, wireless connectivity is becoming a must have and one that will become ever present in our classrooms.
- Some of the most innovative software around is being developed for use solely on tablet devices and with the boom in the availability of educational apps; tablets could replace the need for desktops or laptops. Tablets also offer compatibility with online learning platforms, present in an increasing number of UK schools.
- Many UK and US companies have begun redirecting IT investments away from data centres to cloud-based services. And it seems schools, colleges and universities are following route and why not! Schools need to deliver synchronised learning experiences and with tablets and cloud-based systems, students can work anywhere and at any time, without the previous storage costs.
- With the cost lowered, tablets are set to become optimised by purpose, particularly in the education sector. Like having separate subject for separate classes, students could have multiple devices each serving a different purpose.
– Unlikely to be announced in 2013 but some educationalists have speculated that tablets will soon enough become a ‘VLE in your hand’ (literally), dedicated to educational learning. - End of smartphones? We doubt it, but in underdeveloped societies without landlines or businesses that rely on international communication, many may well relinquish their smartphones completely and move directly to small tablets for services such as Skype, What’s App, etc.
For some education centres the use of tablets are already widespread in their centres, whether they’re using fully integrated VLEs or cloud-based platforms such as LearnersCloud GCSE revision resources, technology is making its presence felt. And why shouldn’t it?
2013 looks set to be an exciting year for digital learning, to find out more visit us or start a free trail and see how our GCSE e-learning resources can be used in your classroom.