The US ed tech conference season kicks off at the start of the year with a strong event, the Future of Education Technology Conference (this year, FETC 2018), held each year in Orlando, Florida. FETC always sets the tone for the year, previewing what’s up and coming for educational technology in the U.S. market. I would like to share some key observations related to key education trends and display-related issues taking shape at FETC 2018. Here are my gleanings from the FETC event, now in its 37th year, presented in a plus (+) / delta (∆), yet quirky manner:
Pluses
Keyboarding Counts. Keyboarding booths showed a solid and continuing presence in the expo hall. That’s because technology-based assessment requires students to effectively use a keyboard in order to complete high-stakes state assessments. That means, of course, that displays will never be in retreat as long as kids need to learn to use a keyboard and kids are required to take computer-based accountability tests.
Collaborative Learning Stations. Collaborative furniture offerings remain in vogue—and of course each team workstation requires a large display. Another sign that large display technology is not evaporating in schools.
Several furniture companies featured collaborative learning stations that allowed writing on surfaces–but note that the display is still there, front and center.
This vendor featured a whiteboard that could slide out from each side of a display. Again, trying to maximize precious classroom wall space.
Display Mounts. The number of companies offering mounting apparatus for large classroom displays seems to have doubled or tripled on the expo floor this year. That is a lagging indicator, of course, signifying that large displays are on the rise in classrooms, slowly replacing projector technology. Wall space is precious real estate in schools, so this trend is doubly important.
Interactive Displays. Okay, I’ve been leading up to it. Yes, interactive large displays had a solid presence throughout the expo floor, evidencing a staying power, a clear maturity, and demonstrating the right to be there. Interactive displays will continue to expand in education.
Interactive Displays were the flavor of the day at FETC 2018
Google’s Minions. For the first time in several years, Google did not have presence directly, but instead has unleashed its minions everywhere—on the expo floor and in the sessions. Why do the work when you can have your minions do it for you? Good for Google.
VR. Virtual reality had a solid presence throughout the conference, in sessions, keynotes, and the exhibit hall. But you’ll have to hold on– I will do a deep dive on some surprising new developments in my next month’s articles.
Deltas
Gimme Free Stuff. This hallmark conference has declined precipitously in quality, in my humble opinion, as educators swiftly pursue the cult of freebies and top-ten lists, turning their collective backs on elegance, innovation, and the magic of emerging technologies. It’s depressing.
Apple. Apple continues its return to the conference (but not the expo floor), with long lines waiting outside its popular session offerings. With the loss of so much iPad and iBook business to the chromebook tsunami, that’s why Apple is back, trying harder than ever. But is it too late?
Projectors. Projector companies hang on, but continue to reduce their floorspace in the exhibit hall. Will innovation turn this around? It appears not just yet.
VR. Okay, I have VR in both the pluses and deltas column, I know. That’s because much of what was present with VR at this pivotal ed tech conference was sickly. You’ll have to wait until my deep dive next month to find out why.
Phoneys. I am shocked every year at the sheer number of sales reps on the floor who don’t want to demonstrate ‘presence’ with their educational customers. They blithely play on their phones while dozens of potential customers pass by their booths. Perhaps these sales people really want to be in another market, away from the freebies and gimmies and top-ten lists? Do you know what your reps are doing at ed-tech conferences?
“Phoneys” in action (or inaction)
–Len Scrogan
