CHALLENGES AND POSSIBILITIES
Challenges and Possibilities Paper
Shanay Y. Howard
School of Education, Liberty University
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CHALLENGES AND POSSIBILITIES 2
Abstract
Education, as a whole, has undergone significant transformations over the last few years due to
the advancements in technology. Adding in the COVID-19 Pandemic, educational technology
had to be widely used and advanced by default due to the necessary use of technology to
continue the learning environments for students all over the world. This paper will discuss the
emerging trends in educational technology, encompassing online/hybrid learning, artificial
intelligence, gamification, virtual reality, stem and robotics and SEL learning tools. Based on
research, this paper will analyze the implications of these trends, how they impact education and
future directions of this field.
Keywords: educational technology, online/hybrid learning, artificial intelligence,
gamification, STEM, robotics
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Challenges and Possibilities for the Future of Educational Technology
Instructional technology and its integration into education and educational technology has
been a consistent ongoing process. In the recent years, we have witnessed an increase in
innovative approaches to learning and teaching (Ertmer & Ottenbreit-Leftwich, 2013). Trends
such as online/hybrid learning, use of artificial intelligence for learning and remote learning and
skill-based learning has been very relevant (Horizon report,2022).
Current Landscape
The pandemic has pushed the world into a “digital age of remote professional and social
interactions and a thriving online economy (Horizon report, 2022).” The growth in hybrid and
online learning increased but has had its challenges. Educators were faced with not only being
thrown into this type of learning due to the pandemic but, all training is not equitable around the
country. Some school systems have been more trained and better suited for technology than
others while some don’t even have the same resources or funding.
Another recent push in educational tech, is the use of robotics and steam education.
Educational robots have been used in the classroom to enhance learning and the lessons it is
being used for (Alhashmi et al., 2021; Graetz et al., 2018). Studies have discovered that socially
assistive robotics (SAR) has “great potential for assisting teaching and that the successful
integration and adaptation of it in preschool and elementary classrooms depends particularly on
the degree to which teachers are acceptant of it” (Alhashmi et al., 2021). The use of humanoid
robots have increased in education. The ultimate use of any technology and robotics come downs
to the comfortability of the educators and school system. This is a consistent theme in every
current trend in educational technology.
Ethical and inclusive educational technology is another current focus of the times. Each
time technology is introduced in the field equity is tough of. There is a growing emphasis on
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these considerations to ensure that each student/educator will have access to the same technology
and growth mindsets (McMahon & Walker, 2019). The Covid -19 pandemic brought to light
many of the limitations of technology implementation and application in much of the educational
system. It is also brought to light just the weakness and or strengths of educators with technology
( Wang et al., 2022). This presented a problem because this truly affected the learning of the
students. Additionally, students, were expected to know how to just transition to online learning
and remote schooling when, for many this was something they never experienced.
Students, when it comes to technology, have a slight advantage in that they have grown
up in a time where technology is readily accessible all around them. However, when you discuss
education and technology, access is not equal everywhere and some students may have daily
interaction with technology where others only have it ever so often. This creates inequity. When
I think of official national testing such as AP exams and the SAT, that have now transitioned to
digital exams, it just shows how much technology has infiltrated the education system but, at the
same time hasn’t totally figured out how to make it equitable nationwide (Wang et al., 2022).
Recent Developments
The recent developments we have experienced in the last several years, have been
tremendous. From artificial intelligence to VR reality and automation it has moved the
educational field in a new way. In this section, we will discuss these new developments and how
they are affecting the education system and how educators are navigating them. New
developments are a time, to make curriculum as inclusive as possible ( McMahon et al., 2019).
As stated in their article McMahon & Walker (2019), “robotization, automatization, artificial
intelligence and immersive learning tools will lead to new opportunities in education with wide-
ranging implications, as we prepare learners for this shift…”
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Gamification is also a recent development that we have seen more of in the classroom as
an emerging technology. As stated by Kalogiannakis et al., 2021, “the use of games in an
educational setting is not something new ; however, the concept and implementation of
gamification in the educational sector has been introduced recently.” Students are encouraged to
engage and be proactive with this type of learning. They are also expected to have knowledge of
games, where at times some do not (Kalogiannakis et al., 2021). It is a very assumptive form of
technology when it comes to students but, also a difficult one to implement on the educator front
as for many this is a new type of educational implementation.
One thing about recent developments is that it is said to lead to helping develop more
inclusive learning opportunities for learners with disabilities (McMahon et al., 2019). In addition
to helping learners with disabilities, new trends in technology help the overall learning process
and experience. The introduction and “arrival of the Internet of things ( IoT) has revolutionized
the education industry and increased competition among universities to improve quality of
education”(Cavus et al., 2022). With the use of recent developments in technology, education
systems aim at enhancing the experience of their students education, experience and efficiency
( Cavus et al., 2022).
Current Issues Facing the Field
No matter how long technology has been around, it is still new for educators in a vary of
ways. Learning new technology is scary and sometimes very difficult. In one article by
McMahon and Walker (2019), they stated, with technology, there is “the rule (the least
dangerous assumption.” This was surrounding the fact that is very hard to determine what will
work best when using new technology in a classroom or school system. It has educators use their
best judgment to assume what will be best with that new technology. This obviously presents
many issues since each educator’s assumption and or school systems judgement will be different
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from place to place. There is no consistency in this thought and can lead to major equity issues
when you truly think about it all.
Emerging Trends in K12 from a Global Perspective
In speaking with educators about the emerging trends in technology, they believe we are
only at the peak of what is to come. Much conversation surrounded the education and training of
them as educators. Additionally, discussion on how so much has changed in what were the
simple talks of daily teaching such as taking attendance and inputting grades. “Everything is
digital,” many stated. While, it didn’t seem all negative, the consensus was that students have
access to so much and “don’t know how to think for themselves anymore.” One teacher even
mentioned her fear, “ that is harder to know If they are truly learning from her teaching .” She
explained that because students, today, have so much access to technology at their finger tips,
she couldn’t be sure that her impart of knowledge on them was really getting through to her
students. A huge fear in artificial intelligence and how it speeds of the concept of “learning” for
the students was also a major topic of discussion when it came to technology trends and how it
was affecting them today.
Ultimately, from an educators’ perspective, it is key that there is necessary training given
to the staff if expected they implement technology in certain aspects of their teaching.
Additionally, as long as boundaries are in place for the students, teachers feel this can truly
enhance the learning environment in a proper way when used appropriately. Using VR to show
students an area of the world, they would not be able to visit otherwise, or to perform biology
experiments they could never do in person, can be life changing for a student. So, this is a
positive side of the use of technology. On the other hand, cheating and paper writing by artificial
intelligence and research spat out by automated technology is the negative part of this advanced
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technology. Some teachers, now stated, they make it a point to have part of their lessons when a
student must physically write and research without technology to ensure they are teaching them
how to navigate learning in a way this generation is not use to.
Future Directions in Education
Education will use technology and will continue to use technology for the years to come.
One area I do see being use more is the use of robots. Where accessible, I can see the robots
being used as extra hands in the classroom and assistants for students (McMahon et al., 2021).
The future use of Artificial intelligence will continue to grow. Right now we have so many
applications that use it but, it will continue to grow. In looking at the Horizon report, textbook
and videos, we can see this is just the beginning. The access for what we have now, is already
greatly use and its trending in the up direction. AI, could be transformative. As discussed in the
Horizon report, Ai can be used, in the future, to provide personalized learning experiences,
automating administrative tasks even more, and supporting teachers in their roles.
VR (Virtual and augmented reality) are becoming more and more accessible and will
continue to grow in the future. Particularly, in speaking with science teachers, they see the true
benefit of the use of VR in their classroom in taking their labs to the next level. Many see that
the future use of this is inevitable and will be more positive than even realized. The only concern
with VR is access and equity. Many discussed that some schools, states and districts would have
to spend a lot of money to provide an experience such as this.
Lastly, one of the top trends that will continue to grow in Online and blended learning.
We saw just the tip with the pandemic. But we were also able to see how effective online
learning and hybrid learning could be for access to school for students all over the world (Ra et
al., 2019). This trend will continue to learn because, like we are doing in our studies as doctoral
students, online learning gives the ability to take school at all times and in all different places for
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all different levels of students. This will help continue to expand education at all levels and more
even in the collegiate levels (Cavus et al., 2022). The “expansion of access will drive a global
education revolution of an unprecedented scale, transforming societies by creating opportunities
for millions of people and their families increase their standards of living. For universities, this
will drive new approaches to teaching and learning…(Kumar et al., 2017).
Safeguards
As technology continues to advance, security, privacy and protection of data are just
some of things that will have to continue to grow as technology grows. There are many
safeguards put into place by school districts and school systems to date, but they will have to
continue to evolve as the technology trends continue to increase. In reading the Horizon report
and the various articles for this week, I could see blockchain for credentials and verification as a
technology trend that is continuing to grow. Using blockchain helps to securely store and verify
academic credentials. Cybersecurity has also continued to consistently develop more and more
ways to protect its users.
When we look at this from a biblical perspective we can only pray that all educators and
people in places of leadership truly, have the mind of Christ. With access to so much and so
quickly, we have to remind ourselves to search God first for ultimate direction. If we are being
honest, even our Bible is digital now and churches everywhere are using technology. We have to
go back to the basics and never forget to search God’s word first as our ultimate direction. As
educators, we can find ourselves in the daily routine of teaching or just completing a task but
keeping our “why” at the forefront along with our faithful commitment to following the Lord we
will be successful in navigating technology trends and all that is thrown at us. Additionally, with
the emerging trend of Artificial intelligence, it is always good to be reminded that God and his
word do not change and are the most consistent words that can help as not matter the time we are
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living in. I think it is so refreshing to know that God’s words transcend time and any trend! If we
keep that at the forefront always, we will always be successful. If we are in the place of
leadership in the school system, we should influence as many educators as possible to keep that
at the forefront. Truth and integrity will be keep as we navigate technology from now and to
come.
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References
Alhashmi, M., Mubin, O., &Baroud, R. (2021). Examing the use of robots as teacher assistants
in Uae classrooms: Teacher and student perspectives. Journal of Information Technology
Education: Research, 20, 245-265. https://doi.org/10.28945/4749
Cavus, N., Mrwebi, S.E., Ibrahim, I., Modupeola, T., & Reeves, A.Y. (2022). Internet of things
and its applications to smart campus: A systematic literature review. International Journal
of Interactive Mobile Technologies, 17(23), 17-35.
https://doi.org/10.3991/ijim.v16i123.36215
Graetz, G., Michaels, G. (2018). Robots at work. The Review of Economics and Statistics,
100(5), 753-768. https://doi.org/10.1162/rest_a_00754
Kalogiannakis, M., Papadakis, S., & Zourmpakis, A.I. (2021). Gamification in science
Education: A systematic review of the literature. Education Sciences, 11.
Kumar, P., Palvia, S.C.J., & Verma, S. (2017). Online education worldwide: Current
status and emerging trends. Journal of Information Technology Case and Application
Research :JITCAR., 19(1), 3-9. https://doi.org/10.1080/15228053.2017.1294867
McMahon, D.D, & Walker, Z. (2019). Leveraging emerging technology to design an inclusive
future with universal design for learning. CEPS Journal, 9(3), 75-93.
https://doi.org/10.26529/cepsj.639
Ra,S.U., Khatiwada, S., Yoon, S.W. & Kwon, K. (2019). The rise of technology and impact
on skills. International Journal of Training Research, 17(sup1), 26-40.
https://doi.org/10.1080/14480220.2019.1629727
