Innov8: Growing Momentum and Changes in Digital Learning

2016 was a watershed year for all things digital and EdTech. Teachers continued to explore new ways to personalize learning with EdTech, postsecondary education continued to take new shapes from MOOCs to tech-based microlearning, and machine intelligence grew in capabilities faster than ever before. We’re always excited to see innovations trending upward; this week’s top eight stories give a good overview to shape your expectations for the new year.

Digital Developments

1) Increasing School Focus on Digital Curriculum

National Digital Curriculum Strategy Survey Results Released. https://t.co/E4ClCp5LVP #Gather2016 #EdTechNews pic.twitter.com/7qNunaEYxc

— Learning Counsel (@learningcounsel) December 22, 2016

The Learning Counsel’s Report finds that 86% of schools expect to spend more on digital curriculum in 2017. If you’re a part of one of these schools, check out Tom’s recommendations for 10 Ways to Use Quality Digital Curriculum.

Dollars & Deals

2) Dip in EdTech Funding

US #EdTech funding dips to $1b in 2016 https://t.co/xfhZVh5zqE #EduVC @EdSurge pic.twitter.com/WUpKq0GW9U

— Tom Vander Ark (@tvanderark) December 27, 2016

#AskAboutAI

3) Deep Learning in the Movement Toward AI

2016 was the year that deep learning took over the internet https://t.co/WTkUglTIUU

— WIRED (@WIRED) December 25, 2016

Deep Learning (not to be confused with Deeper Learning) is one of the many ways AI capabilities grew by leaps and bounds in 2016, setting a foundation for further AI disruption–and opportunity for communities that skill up–in the near future.

Deeper, Further, Faster #HigherEd

4) MOOCs and Monetization

In the last 5 years, #MOOC providers have raised $400m+. They now employ 1,000+ staff. @dhawalhshah @classcentral https://t.co/7GKDXVefaT

— todd tauber (@toddtauber) January 2, 2017

5) Employers Innovate Employee Training

Corporate training gets an upgrade for the Facebook generation https://t.co/lzdKSV8aPj pic.twitter.com/eFilKZkQyI

— Fortune (@FortuneMagazine) December 28, 2016

Read more on the transition towards digital learning and microlearning in Top Higher Education Learning Trends to Look for in 2017.

#SmartPlanet

6) Competency-Based Learning Worldwide 

Interesting to see my #competencyed google alert turn up a story about CBE in Rwanda https://t.co/MPI7AV9oKt @NewTimesRwanda #smartplanet

— Carri Schneider (@CarriSchneider) January 3, 2017

It’s important to remember that access to new technologies isn’t necessarily a prerequisite for education innovation, as demonstrated by Rwanda’s new commitment to Competency-Based Education.

Let’s Get Personalized

7) Community Engagement for Personalized Learning

How to engage the community when converting to #comped and why it is necessary for #students https://t.co/qW9OmyVdMn @CompetencyWorks

— iNACOL (@nacol) January 3, 2017

We’re big fans of community engagement for schools and classrooms, and we really enjoyed iNACOL’s perspective on its contribution to personalized learning.

8) Technology and Teachers

When Teachers and Technology Let Students Be Masters of Their Own Learning: https://t.co/DrBeTcsnrQ @salkhanacademy #elearning #edtech2017 pic.twitter.com/R7pDntBE9d

— EdSurge (@EdSurge) January 2, 2017

We’ve said it before, but it’s worth saying again—when teachers have the resources (whether in the form of technology or professional development), personalized learning can be a wonderful thing.

Have a news item you’d like us to consider for next Wednesday’s edition? Tweet us @Getting_Smart using #innov8 or to email [email protected] with “Innov8” in the subject line. For more ideas on what type of stories we run, check out the full Innov8 series on our blog.

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