Education is being challenged, both at home and abroad. The threat of misinformation, rising costs of education, uncertainty over funding, and the proliferation of artificial intelligence — just to name a few obstacles — are making it harder for people to learn and for educators to teach them.
But if misinformation and our collective inability to concentrate are the symptoms of a sick education system, then they can also be used as a remedy. The key to using this pivotal moment in the education sector is to meet people where they are.
10 education trends have recently emerged that may transform learning from what it was (sitting silently in classrooms, reading from a textbook) to something more modern and meaningful. With apps that turn learning into a game, like Duolingo, to instructors creating bite-sized lessons to match students’ shortened attention spans, learners of all ages and education levels can benefit from technological advancements when they are applied in thoughtful ways to the act of teaching.
Students can rise when these tools are used as innovations. They can excel when these shifts help to reach them where they are, creating communities and opportunities to learn in better and more significant ways.
Key takeaways:
- 10 trends have emerged in education that may create meaningful changes in the education system. They may transform the way we teach and the way we learn.
- Over 90% of Australian schools provide students with access to digital devices, yet more can be done to ensure equity in education.
- Funding solutions for education technology will be critical for students to learn in an expansive and largely online world.
- In this evolving educational climate, it’s most important for teachers and school districts to be adaptable and have a plan for technological readiness.
The changing landscape of global education trends
Globalisation, or the increased connection of countries and people around the world, is something that affects us all and it certainly creates both obstacles and opportunities when it comes to the future of education.
Schools across the globe, even the most innovative schools in the world, are similarly experiencing this pivotal moment in education. In developed countries, there is an increased ability to access information of all kinds, including:
- Online courses
- Digital libraries
- Materials from institutions around the globe
Australian schools increasingly embed cross-cultural learning, with 76% reporting partnerships or exchange programs in 2024 to build intercultural understanding.
In developing nations, educational trends include integrating technology from online resources and interactive tools in order to elevate learning experiences and outcomes, as well as incorporating global perspectives into the curriculum.
If rising tides raise all ships, then globalisation galvanizes education by encouraging shared learning, creating new opportunities to learn, and raising standards–all in an effort to bridge the digital divide in education. In Australia, 95.9% of households with children under 15 reported internet access at home in the 2021 Census, though rural and remote regions still face significant connectivity challenges.
Current trends in education driving change
As we live more of our lives online, it’s become clear that pedagogy must move to the online space, as well. It’s not enough to have a one-size-fits-all teaching methodology. In fact, this style often leaves advanced students wanting more and those who need additional assistance far behind. With adaptive learning platforms–such as DreamBox Learning and Smart Sparrow–instructors can identify gaps, adjust lesson plans, and tailor learning experiences to meet individual students’ needs. In the higher ed space, more classrooms have become equipped with video tools, like Zoom, to offer remote and hybrid options.
Students want a sense of ease and flexibility when it comes to learning. The good news is that the current education trends look to be moving in that direction.
10 future trends in education that will transform learning
The following 10 trends are set to transform education across the globe.
1. Personalised learning & adaptive technology
Personalised learning occurs when curriculum is tailored to each student’s strengths, weaknesses, and needs. This can be done through AI-driven learning platforms, like 360Learning and Sana Labs, and corresponding data analytics that allow teachers to view progress and make lesson-related adjustments.
2. Hybrid and remote learning models
earning when you want, or when is most convenient to your schedule, is integral to obtaining a certificate or degree–especially as an adult learner. By 2022, 82% of Australian universities offered hybrid or fully online courses, reflecting the rapid digital shift in higher education.
3. AI-powered teaching and assessment tools
There is more to teaching than just standing in front of a class and doling out assignments. Those assignments need to be reviewed, graded, and include feedback. AI-powered tools, such as Gradescope and Testportal, can generate test questions and provide proctoring with comprehensive insights. These tools can help analyse student performance so more tailored lesson plans can be developed.
4. Immersive learning (VR/AR)
As some K-12 school districts have experienced a drop in enrolment, empty classrooms are not going to waste. These spaces are being turned into immersive learning classrooms, driven by virtual and augmented reality technology to send students on virtual field trips.
5. Gamification and interactive learning platforms
Similar to immersive learning, interactive learning allows students to engage with lessons. An example of gamification in education is Duolingo. According to a TalentLMS survey, “83% of learners report feeling motivated when their training includes game elements.”
Gamification is widely adopted in Australian schools, with over 70% of teachers in 2024 reporting the use of interactive platforms to support engagement.
6. Data-driven decision-making in education
Knowing better leads to doing better, especially in pedagogy. Making informed teaching decisions through analysing data can help bolster attendance, improve test scores, increase engagement, and more.
7. Focus on digital literacy and 21st century skills
As instructors, it’s become critical to understand how AI tools–such as generative AI and agentic AI–function so they can be used as additional tools in the teaching arsenal. Just like learning how to craft and send emails became a late-20th century skill, developing AI literacy is a 21st century one.
8. Sustainability and green campus initiatives
As we suffer the effects of climate change, we must become stewards of social and climate responsibility. Teachers are equipping their classrooms with products made from recycled materials, or products with “future proof designs” that will last for years, such as charging carts from PC Locs.
9. Global collaboration in learning projects
There is more to globalisation in education than just sharing information or learning about our cultural differences, global collaboration is an effort being made by educators around the world to work together to improve learning outcomes and develop equitable learning opportunities for all students, regardless of where they might live.
10. Equity and inclusion through tech access
Schools around the world have begun providing devices to students–regardless of family income–to create a sense of technological equity. With over 91% of Australian schools providing devices to students, it’s imperative to have strong plans for security, maintenance, and device management.
But there is more to equity in education than just devices. Stable internet access in homes is also needed. The Australian Government’s National Broadband Network (NBN) program has expanded high-speed fibre and fixed wireless coverage, with more than 12 million premises now able to connect as of 2023.
The role of technology in the education evolution
Moving away from physical textbooks and into digital learning experiences like immersive learning environments, gamified learning on apps, or hybrid classes creates a requirement for updated and cybersecure devices. Either at home, in the office, or in class, these devices need to be safe from tampering and be able to be charged. PC Locs offers a wide range of charging and device management solutions. Smart lockers and charging trolleys provide easy-to-use and secure ways to manage mobile devices in classrooms.
From an IT perspective, if a device becomes damaged or broken, it can be a hassle to obtain the device from the student, offer them a temporary device, and then return the original one after it’s been fixed. Not to mention that all learning in the meantime has likely stopped. Smart Locker systems make this device-swap easy by adding automation in schools. If a device goes down, IT can direct students and faculty to loaner or replacement devices being housed in a Smart Locker system. This helps IT to manage devices and helps students to continue their education uninterrupted.
What will happen to education in the future?
Looking to the future of education 10, or even 20, years from now could be akin to people in the 1980s thinking we’d all be driving flying cars by the year 2000. However, knowing what we know in 2025, experts believe that in 10 years more classrooms will offer immersive learning environments, sending students on virtual field trips without ever needing to leave their seat.
One massive challenge to this future world, however, is funding. It’s critical that districts are able to procure the tools required so that instructors can teach and students can learn in an expansive and largely online environment. What will happen to the future of public education? The answer completely depends on education technology funding solutions and policy.
Preparing for the future: Action steps for schools and districts
We all know the value of education. It is critical for creating thoughtful, engaged, and empathetic adults. But how can educators embrace these trends to create an education future that benefits us all? A few ways forward include:
- Joining professional development workshops and seminars
- Begin integrating technology into teaching
- Stay up to date on policy changes
In addition, school districts can future-proof school operations by:
- Using cloud-based solutions for data storage and virtual learning.
- Make critical education technology investments.
- Cultivate a community of innovation and improvement by providing ongoing training and support for faculty and staff.
- Strengthen cybersecurity by performing regular security audits and training staff in cybersecurity awareness, as well as creating cost effective IT management in school districts.
Conclusion and final takeaways
- Education in Australia is at a crossroads. One path clings to traditional in-person learning, while the other embraces a forward-looking model that emphasises personalised learning and global collaboration.
- It’s important for educators and district employees to be adaptable to unforeseen changes in education, make strategic plans for the future, and have a deep bench of technological readiness (e.g., staff that is well-versed in AI and cybersecurity).
- With 94% of public schools across the U.S. providing devices to students, it’s also imperative to have a plan for security, maintenance, and device management.