What’s in store for Education in 2026? We’ve asked three Edtech bloggers about key trends that they think will make a huge impact this year. Here’s their take on upcoming trends:

1. Mike Karlin / Former K-12 teacher and current associate instructor and Ph.D. student at Indiana University. Founder & editor of The EdTech Round Up blog.

More seamless integration across apps and services:
I think we’ll see a significant increase in how well apps and services can communicate and share with each other. “App-smashing” (combining multiple apps to create a single product) offers enormous potential in K-12 classrooms, but isn’t always feasible when students can’t easily input the product of one app into another. Likewise, submitting digital products to different LMSs (and allowing for feedback on those different submissions types) can be a difficult process at times as well. This is an important area for growth and one that will make a huge difference in what students and teachers can potentially use and create in their classrooms.

Increase in Data-Informed Instruction:
More and more apps are providing K-12 teachers with actionable student data and analytics which can be used to inform future instruction. Empowering teachers with instant access to student data, regardless of the app they’re using, allows them to more easily differentiate the lessons they are working on and better understand what their students are understanding. However, developers must necessarily be careful concerning student privacy and the sharing of student information that is collected.

2. Deborah Chang /An educator and an entrepreneur. She is the founder of #NYCEDU, an organization that harnesses the power of community to fundamentally transform New York City education.

Instead of answering with what EdTech trends will make a huge impact this year, let me answer with what EdTech trends I hope will make a huge impact this year.

Trend #1: Students as Makers and Entrepreneurs

Our students will inherit a world filled with jobs, technology, and problems that don’t even exist yet. As educators and entrepreneurs, it is our responsibility to ensure that we’re preparing our students for the world of the future, not the world of today. Therefore, I hope to see technology that focuses on developing student agency, creativity, business acumen, and social-emotional skills. This could look like DIY.org, a “safe online community for kids to discover new passions,” a Legos play set, or embedded growth mindset learning in apps like Motion Math.

Trend #2: Unbundled Learning

Learning does not occur only within school walls, it can happen at any place, whether at home, on a field trip, or online. It also isn’t only the responsibility of any one teacher. However, it is difficult for educators, students, and guardians to work together to create a comprehensive learning experience for students. My hope is that technology will help surface the best learning opportunities for students by content, interest, and effectiveness, regardless of where those opportunities come from. Early stage startups tackling this issue from different directions include Out school, Scholar Advance, and Mastery Track*.

Finally, I hope for a world in which students are empowered and equipped to effectively drive their own learning. This only happens when we encourage their natural inclination to make, and when we give them access to the unbundled learning experiences that work best for them. The future is theirs to create. Why not have them start now?

3. Arjun Bhattarai / Co-founder of studentsnepal.com. A student of economics and an ACCA member.

Online tuition will be more personalized than before

One-on-one tuition with interactive learning as opposed to video lessons and podcasts will be dominating the online tuition and e Learning market. Interaction will be much in focus in the next year and coming years. Students will be given more flexible learning environment where they can learn according to personal preferences and comfort.

Virtual reality and application of Internet of Things (IOT) on education.

VR classes and use of IOT in education will start to evolve and more organizations focused on Education Industry will start to experiment these new technologies. Virtual reality is a next big thing in technology world. Education will be one of the sectors that will be benefiting from VR technology. VR classes, VR exams and VR experiments will start to evolve in year 2020 and they will continue to grow in coming years.

Blended learning (online plus traditional method of teaching)

Blended Learning will be modified with distance learning in mind. Schools and Colleges will be offering their own online classes. Educational bodies are becoming more aware of the fact that they need to be more innovative to be in the competition and make their students learn fast. More colleges and universities will be designing and developing their own online classes and web based programs. Notes, lectures and assignments will be made available on those online portals.

Cloud technology

With all the information in cloud, students can now learn at their own pace and have a nearly identical educational experience in their homes and in the classroom. The use of cloud computing and storage will increase in the EdTech industry. Students can carry their school in their device. The beauty of cloud computing will have a great impact on EdTech industry in 2020.