Key points:
AI, learner agency, and digital equity are among a number of factors that can hinder or foster K-12 innovation, according to CoSN‘s annual Driving K-12 Innovation Top Topics, which outlines the key challenges and opportunities that will define K-12 education in 2025.
This year’s report (to be fully released in February 2025) identifies the top three Hurdles and Accelerators for schools to address, along with the top three Technology Enablers to leverage.
The Driving K-12 Innovation initiative pinpoints critical issues poised to accelerate, hinder or enable innovation in teaching and learning within K-12 spaces. By fostering awareness and guided action, the initiative empowers leaders, practitioners and policymakers to address these key topics effectively.
“Selecting the Top Topics is a vital step in CoSN’s Driving K-12 Innovation initiative, as it highlights the most pressing challenges and opportunities our schools face,” said Keith Krueger, CEO of CoSN. “We are deeply grateful to our Advisory Board for their invaluable contributions–their insights, diverse perspectives and commitment to innovation make this project possible. Together, we’re paving the way for meaningful change that empowers students, educators and technologists alike.”
The annual series, a cornerstone of CoSN’s commitment to delivering high-quality trend reports, involves an international Advisory Board of educators, technologists, changemakers and industry partners. There are approximately 130 Advisory Board members this year, spanning 13 countries and 34 states, including Washington D.C. Their process involves surveys, synchronous and asynchronous discussions, and a final survey to select the Top Topics featured in the annual publication.
Hurdles–The top three most important Hurdles for schools to address in 2025 that are roadblocks that force schools to slow down, prepare themselves and make a leap:
- Attracting & Retaining Educators and IT Professionals
- Evolution of Teaching & Learning
- Digital Equity
Accelerators–The top three most important Accelerators for schools to utilize in 2025 to help motivate and increase speed of innovation:
- Learner Agency
- Building the Human Capacity of Leaders
- Changing Attitudes Toward Demonstrating Learning
Tech Enablers–The top three most important Tech Enablers for schools leverage in 2025 in order to surmount Hurdles and leverage Accelerators:
- Generative Artificial Intelligence
- Analytics & Adaptive Technologies
- Untethered Broadband & Connectivity
To learn more about Driving K-12 Innovation, sign up for the CoSN Newsletter, Roadmap to Innovation.
This press release originally appeared online.
