Education continues to undergo rapid transformations as we move into 2025. This is due to technological advances, changing student needs, and shifting workforce demands. Teachers, educators, and administrators face exciting challenges and opportunities in adapting to these dynamic changes. Here are ten of the topics in education that experts believe will be important in 2025.
1. Außerdem
It’s AI. Artificial intelligence has become a hot topic in education, and the search volume has increased 20x in five years. AI chat programs can be used for a variety of purposes, including analyzing data, creating lesson plans, improving accessibility, and differentiating instruction.
You can expect a flood of opinions and insights on the use of AI for teachers and students and on ways to minimize its drawbacks, such as cheating, excessive screen time, “hallucinations,” errors, and misinformation. There will also be a number of new AI tools geared towards educators.
2. Online/Hybrid Learning
Hybrid learning has become a staple of higher education and not just an era-specific necessity. McKinsey and Company’s recent analysis shows that more than half (55%) of higher education institutions will be expanding their hybrid learning programs by 2025. The overwhelming student satisfaction with virtual learning—93%, according to BestColleges.com—signals that administrators must prepare for online education to become a lasting focus in modern academics.
This change has profound implications for institutional planning, from infrastructure to staffing. Hybrid approaches offer schools not only cost savings but also new opportunities for both students and teachers. Education professionals need to be prepared for a continuing evolution of hybrid learning. Administrators need to be ready for an increase in demand for flexible teaching methods as educators strive to balance remote and in-person work and institutions gain access to a larger pool of specialized teachers across different time zones and regions.
3. Alternatives to traditional college paths
Education leaders must pay attention to the increasing demand for alternative credentials, career-focused education paths, and flexible, affordable options that provide clear pathways to employment. Education Dynamics reports a significant growth in certificate programs, with Spring 2024 seeing a 10% increase in graduate certifications and 4% in undergraduate certificates.
CTE is a promising area of education in which educational institutions are expanding their offerings. According to Edmentum, CTE programs increase high school graduation rates by 10% compared to non-CTE students. They also lead to 75% of participants continuing their education after graduation. It is possible to create stackable credentials and certifications aligned with industry standards that will benefit both traditional students and return learners.
4. Data Analytics
Data analytics can be used to make educational decisions that go beyond simple performance tracking. It can include predictive modelling, personalized experiences and resource optimization. The challenge for education leaders is not only to collect data but also to make it actionable. The success of institutions in 2025 depends on their ability to implement practical approaches for data leadership, train staff in data analysis, and develop systems which deliver real-time insight in an easily understood format. Prioritize breaking down data silos, and establish clear protocols for analytics.
You can read more about how we support effective data collection and analyses here. Explore Marzano Research’s School Improvement Practice Area and related Services to learn more about developing data literacy in your school or district and creating effective data systems.
5. Retention and shortages of teachers
In the education sector, teacher retention and recruitment are at crisis levels. EdWeek’s research reveals a worrying trend: 54% of teachers say they plan to leave their teaching careers in the next two years. The shortage of teachers is acute in certain areas. According to the U.S. Department of Education, there are nationwide shortages of special education (affecting almost all states), mathematics (44), and science (42).
The ESSER funding will allow for innovative recruitment strategies to be used, particularly in addressing this shortage. Institutions’ ability to create high-quality working environments that offer work/life balance and professional development will determine their ability to attract and retain staff. Some experts warn against lowering the requirements for teacher qualifications to solve the shortage. Nevertheless, certain states are turning to alternative paths like apprenticeships, which maintain high standards while providing hands-on experiences and opening doors for those who may have difficulty in traditional certification programs.
There are many ways to solve this problem. Learn about our partnership with the Colorado Center for Rural Education. This organization offers pre-service and on-the-job stipends for educators in rural areas.
6. Microlearning
Micro-learning will become a more important part of educational delivery as attention spans change and demand for flexible options increases. This approach, which breaks content into short, focused segments delivered through spaced repetition, offers significant advantages in both accessibility and effectiveness. Whatfix data show that micro-learning can boost knowledge retention by up to 80% versus traditional teaching.
The challenge for academic institutions is to develop micro-learning modules that meet the demands of modern students while maintaining high standards. Some education leaders integrate these on-demand, targeted modules into their programs to stay competitive. This gap could be bridged effectively by combining traditional classroom teaching and convenient, focused learning segments. It is important to create engaging content that meets high academic standards.
7. Extended Reality
The use of extended reality, including augmented and virtual reality, is set to revolutionize the way education is delivered. According to Google, the search interest for XR has grown 250% in the last five years. Exploding Topics This suggests that both students and teachers are becoming more aware of the importance of technology and their expectations. It is noteworthy that technology has a significant impact on student engagement. 92% of institutions According to a survey conducted by EDUCAUSE in 2023, students who use XR have a higher level of engagement.
Prepare yourself for XR’s move from experimental projects to a mainstream education tool. Immersive experiences can range from complex surgical simulations to virtual field trips. Although initial adoption focused on certain departments or projects, consider developing a comprehensive XR strategy that spans multiple disciplines. If institutions want to keep their competitive edge, XR training and infrastructure could be the answer.
8. Gamification
Gamification has evolved beyond points and badges into a sophisticated strategy for teaching that can transform mundane learning activities into interactive, engaging experiences. The popularity of game-based education is a reflection of its proven ability to increase student motivation and engagement, especially in traditionally difficult subjects. A TalentLMS survey found that Gamification of training programs improves engagement significantly. While 83% of learners feel motivated when they include game elements in their training, this is not the case with traditional training methods. 61% of participants report boredom and lack of productivity.
Think about how you can thoughtfully incorporate Gamification into your curriculum and assessment strategy. Include deeper elements of the game design to foster critical thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving skills. Gamified platforms provide administrators with detailed metrics that allow them to monitor student progress. Gamification of instruction is a good idea for institutions that want to improve their learning. They should implement game-based solutions that combine attention-grabbing features with educational rigour.
9. Soft skills
Employers are driving the development of soft skills to be a central part of educational strategy. As a result, employers are increasingly demanding that employees develop soft skills. Report on LinkedIn According to a recent survey, 92% of HR professionals place equal or greater value on soft skills than hard skills. Particularly, Communication, teamwork and problem-solving are seen as essential; according to Monster’s Future of Work Global Survey,
Leaders in education planning for the future should consider integrating learning frameworks that address academic and personal development. This includes self-awareness, conflict resolution, and interpersonal skills. Some institutions have already begun to explore innovative approaches. For example, they are adapting traditional grading systems to include soft skills such as Communication and determination in addition to knowledge of the material.
10. Federal-level changes
Many potential outcomes come with a new president. Changes to federal policies, funding, and requirements for education. Marzano Research experts offer some insights into what could happen in the next four years. It’s unlikely that Congress would completely demolish the U.S. Department of Education. We expect that the administration will pursue attrition of staff and restructuring operations, including combining offices. The leadership is expected to continue focusing on student loan policies and forgiveness. Experts say that the Department is likely to focus on Career and Technical Education and Career Readiness Programs, as well as potentially expanding parental choice of school options. It is also expected that the administration will increase its focus on accountability, transparency and local decision-making. Other priorities could include increasing the fiscal resources available to local education agencies and improving school safety.
Key Education Topics to Keep an Eye on
- Continued Focus on Closing Pandemic Learning Gaps
- Declining enrollment
- Chronic absenteeism
- Collaborative learning
- Neuroscience-backed teaching methods
These emerging trends can be challenging for educators, but they can also offer opportunities to improve the way students learn and develop. Need help along the way to get there? Marzano Research provides a range of services, including early care and learning, school improvement and classroom practice. It also offers professional development and rural education. We can help you with research, program evaluations, data analysis, technical assistance, strategic planning, coaching and more. We’d love to talk about solutions for your project or challenge.
