Image via AET
2017 is nearly halfway over. There have been plenty of things happening in the Ed Tech world this year, but here are some of the highlights so far.
2017 has seen a large increase in sales of laptops, tablets and mobile devices for education. This number grew 18 percent in 2016, and is only expected to grow more this year.
Devices with Chrome OS make up 58 percent of K-12 purchases, and Microsoft’s Windows OS makes up about 22 percent. The estimation is that Microsoft will make leaps to shorten that gap.
Microsoft makes Significant Tech Investments
Earlier this year, Microsoft announced their biggest investment into their education sector ever.
These announcements included: Windows 10 S, a new cloud-manageable operating system created with direct feedback from educators; Microsoft Teams for the classroom, an expansion of the collaborative chat tool with capabilities to bring in Word and PowerPoint for annotation; and a new Surface laptop.
Microsoft’s vice president of worldwide education, Anthony Salcito, says they have always been focused on education, but now they wanted to make a bold cross-company statement like never before.
2-in-1 Devices from Google and Microsoft
Google recently announced that it’d be releasing the first every 2-in-1 chromebooks from Acer, Asus, HP, Dell, Lenovo and Samsung.
Educators are looking for an all-in-one when they buy a device for students. A device needs to be a laptop, tablet, textbook, and notebook. Replacing what’s in a classroom isn’t the goal, only adding to it.
A Windows OS-powered Lenovo N24, a convertible notebook with 360-degree screen rotation and active pen with support from Windows ink will also be out later this year.
The year is only halfway done, and we are sure to see more educational technology coming soon. Be sure to be on the lookout for anything interesting.
(Story via EdTech)