When the Covid-19 pandemic emerged and schools were forced to shut for months on end, the online learning and edtech platforms that were steadily maturing over the course of the 2010s suddenly became an essential tool for millions worldwide. Today, as the surge in adoption has begun to slow with life moving closer to pre-pandemic normality, we can explore the four key trends that are set to drive the future of edtech throughout the coming years. 

We’re currently at a pivotal moment in time for the edtech industry. The boom period led to widespread adoption from users young and old, as social distancing and lockdown measures generated more free time to pick up new languages on apps like Duolingo, or take virtual courses on Udemy. 

“With trends and industry forecasts changing - researchandmarkets.com forecast the market to grow to $350bn in 2019 and Global Market Insights forecast $250bn in 2020, rising to $1 trillion by 2027 -  more companies are going public,” noted Maxim Manturov, head of investment research at Freedom Finance Europe. 

However, following a flurry of edtech IPOs in 2021, stock values of many market leaders like the aforementioned Duolingo and Udemy have fallen more than 20% respectively from their launch prices - indicating that interest among investors in the platforms are falling as schools and workplaces have gradually reopened. 

(Image: HolonIQ)

As we can see from the chart above, despite investors cooling on edtech, VC backing for startups within the industry has accelerated at a rapid pace - growing rapidly across the world over the course of many years. 

With this in mind, it’s reasonable to expect this increasing level of windfall to be converted into new products and services designed to keep securing industry growth in the age of the new normal. So, what will the edtech of tomorrow look like? And will emerging trends in the industry be strong enough to recapture some of the momentum that online learning experienced at the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic? Let’s take a look at four key emerging trends across the industry:

1. Adaptive Learning

Adaptive learning refers to a form of education where resources, activities, projects, and assignments are tailored to the individual needs of the learner. When it comes to edtech, adaptive learning is usually algorithm and assessment-based - as opposed to subjective judgments of the teachers themselves. 

In recent years, adaptive learning has been mostly sat in its experimental stages, with companies and competitors having spent recent times working on AI models and engaging in the delivery of the product. 

As the edtech landscape continues to grow, these experiments will evolve into fully-fledged programs that are ready for widespread adoption. We can already see some adaptive learning platforms available today in DoodleLearning, Whizz Education, and Sumdog Maths and Spelling.

2. Intuitive Collaborative Tech

In the coming years, edtech will seek out ways to emulate the collaborative and social elements of classrooms in a digital landscape. After all, for many individuals, learning can best occur in collaborative environments. 

According to a report conducted by ResourceEd, the use of collaborative tools like educational apps, interactive panels, and tablets both inside the classroom and outside will grow in use cases on a global scale. 

This growing trend will enable educators to foster more collaborative connections between students and their peers. Technologies that encourage teamwork, collaboration, and social skills will set pupils and adult learners alike up with the soft skills they need to function in environments beyond education.

3. The Growth of Gamification

We’ve already seen the influence of gamification across the world of marketing and other technology-based industries. Now, we’re set for a far greater level of gamification emerging within the world of edtech. 

(Image: Dr. Zach Fitz-Walter)

It’s important to note that gamification certainly exists and is thriving in edtech already. As the image above shows, Duolingo gamifies its platform to encourage users to return to build on their day streaks and earn XP. 

Seth Godin, founder of both the altMBA and The Akimbo Workshops, believes that gamification will become a central theme across education over the coming years, citing its power as a motivation tool and its ability to generate healthy competition among learners. 

“It’ll teach them so many more skills; for example, decision-making, observation, game theory – ones that will prepare young people well for adult life,” Godin explained. 

Bespoke Lesson Feedback

Another key theme within edtech over the coming years will revolve around individualized feedback designed to allow pupils the best opportunity to learn from the work they submit. 

“The software and the platforms are capable of doing it, but it's going to take a lot of smart people in the classroom, understanding the dynamics of how to make that all work together,” says Candice Odgers, UCI professor of psychological science. “It’s an area that's just going to explode in the next 5 to 10 years.” 

Such technology has the power to help to leverage the most conducive environment for learning to take place among pupils and older learners alike. The edtech landscape will incorporate tech that helps to make learning more collaborative both inside and outside of the classroom, whilst offering an entirely bespoke experience for its users. 

The pandemic-driven boom period may be waning, but edtech is only getting started. The industry’s emerging trends will ensure that it remains in the spotlight throughout the course of the decade and beyond.