Edtech Trends to Watch in 2025

According to the World Economic Forum, global expenditure on education is set to hit 10 trillion by 2030. Education Techology will account for a fair proportion of that spending, particularly in light of post-pandemic shifts in student expectations and technological advances that are shifting the parameters of how students learn. As Garrett, CEO of Sora Schools, a U.S.-based private online institution, states: “The societal changes unfolding before us, fueled by technological innovation and our evolving needs, compel us to reimagine the educational paradigm designed for a bygone industrial age.” The biggest takeaway to be gleaned from the pandemic-spurred global pivot to remote learning in 2020 was that traditional teaching methods and technologies, such as Learning Management Systems (LMS), are outdated and falling below the expectations of contemporary student populations— most notably Gen Z—who value individualized and user-centered learning platforms. Concurrent with the shifting educational demands of students came the advent of technologies such as AI, which has already had a palpable impact on teaching and learning, research and administration within higher education. In 2024, the worldwide market for AI alone is estimated to be worth USD 2.1 billion, reveals a market.us report. With the landscape and topography of edtech having opened so dramatically over the last few years, this article outlines what further innovations we should expect for 2025.

AI and Personalized Learning

Riiid, a South Korean edtech leader, specializes in AI-powered personalized learning solutions. Also founded in 2014, Riiid's flagship product, Santa, offers adaptive study plans and real-time feedback tailored to individual learning styles and paces for students preparing to take the TOEIC English language proficiency exam, among others. Their AI tutor predicts performance and provides customized content to optimize outcomes. Partnering with universities globally, and heavily investing in Research and Development, Riiid promises for “growth to never end.”

Virtual and Augmented Reality

Though Virtual Reality (VR) has been around for decades, enjoying popularity with the gaming industry for example, its potential for use in higher education has never been more relevant with the rise of both domestic and international virtual learning. Augmented Reality (AR), which integrates digital elements into a real-world setting, and VR, which creates a fully simulated environment, is projected to reach an overall market value of USD 38 billion by 2029, according to MarketsandMarkets.

VR/AR technology is already becoming the norm in many classrooms, and it is set to stay; it is revolutionizing areas like medical training, allowing students to explore the human body virtually and perform simulated surgeries, for example, before ever touching a patient.

Given the rise and popularity of Virtual Exchange pro- grams, VR/AR will also become an indispensable tool in connecting students around the globe. For example, Zhejiang University, China, and Harvard University, US, partnered on the Giza Project, leveraging VR to enable students from both institutions to collaboratively study ancient Egyptian archaeology. Through VR-equipped classrooms, ZJU students can virtually explore the Giza Plateau alongside Harvard peers, attend expert lectures and participate in joint research projects. This initiative showcases the power of VR in creating immersive, interactive learning experiences, breaking down geographical barriers and fostering international collaboration in higher education.

Secure Credentialing and Academic Records with Blockchain

In this age of increasingly globalized education, where the international mobility of learners and teachers is greater than ever before, both the portability and authenticity of academic records and credentials is a pressing concern. Cases of document fraud for the purpose of gaining admission to international institutions are rampant, as are the frustrat- ing time delays that often accompany traditional verification methods. Blockchain technology offers a revolutionary approach to these problems by managing and securing academic credentials and records using decentralized, tamper-proof ledgers. Universities create digital records on the blockchain, ensuring instant, secure and immutable verification of diplomas and certificates, which enhances security, transparency and efficiency in credential management.

A study examining the use of blockchain within the United Arab Emirates (UAE) higher education landscape con cluded that the incorporation of blockchain has been remarkably successful: “With an online lifelong graduate passport and improved edu cation services for continuing students, graduates, and alumni, UAE College has achieved increased satisfac tion and improved services,” state the writers.

In 2025 and beyond, block chain innovations are likely to include greater interopera bility between different blockchain systems, integra tion with AI for enhanced analytics and wider adoption by professional certification bodies, creating a unified and global standard for academic and professional credentials.

Collaborative Research and Learning Through Cloud Computing

For many people, cloud computing has become so ubiquitous with modern life that we barely notice our use of these services; our mobile devices constantly back up to iCloud or Google Drive, giving us peace of mind that our precious data is safe. Cloud computing, which describes the internet-enabled use of networks of remote servers to store, manage and process data, is already revolutionizing higher education.

At the University of Oxford, UK, Oxford Nanopore Technologies utilizes cloud computing to manage and analyze massive genomics data in real-time, supporting cutting-edge research in genetics and molecular biology. Tsinghua University, China, employs cloud-based platforms like Alibaba Cloud to deliver online courses, enabling a flexible and scalable learning environment for students.

improve interoperability between different systems and facilitate more streamlined collaboration between institutions and researchers worldwide. In addition, cloud platforms will increasingly incorporate AI, which will both enhance research analytics and enable cloud-based learning systems to create customized learning paths for students.

Smart Campus and Resource Management with IoT

The enhancement of student experience and sustainability are two of the most important considerations for Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) today. Arising from a demand for smarter, more efficient operations systems, the Internet of Things (IoT) provides real-time data through interconnected devices and enables precise control over energy usage, facility management and security systems. IoT thus improves both sustainability safer, more responsive envi ronment, ultimately increasing the sustainability of universities for everyone.

The IoT is currently being used by King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Saudi Arabia, for example, for campus-wide environmental monitoring and energy management. By 2025, however, KAUST plans to develop IoT-based collaborative research platforms that will connect researchers across the globe, allowing data sharing and collaboration on scientific projects. In terms of individualized learning initiatives, the National University of Singapore (NUS) aims to develop IoT-enabled learning analytics platforms by 2025, which track student engagement and performance in real-time, allowing educators to tailor their teaching strategies.

Overall, 2025 promises to be a truly innovative and exciting year for all aspects of campus life.