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<p>Post-pandemic, service has resumed as normal in K-12 Australian schools. But just what normal looks like – or should look like – has become the 64 million dollar question.</p>
<p>AI is disrupting industries and occupations across the board and education is far from immune. Schools are wrestling with how it’s best incorporated into their processes and practices, even as students are leaning ever more heavily on its capabilities as a learning aid and, in many instances, sneaky shortcut to doing the work.</p>
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<p>And then there’s the issue of how to do more with less, a perennial poser for ICT departments across the education sector. Historically, ICT has been viewed as more cost centre than enabler by boards and administrators who’ve preferred to spend finite funds on tangible infrastructure and assets. That’s finally starting to change, as parents, students and teachers look for the streamlined, efficient, user experiences they’re accustomed to receiving in life’s other realms.</p>
<p>Here are five key issues that will attract attention and investment from the K-12 sector in the year ahead.</p>
<h4><strong>Skills shortages</strong></h4>
<p>Despite a plethora of programs and incentives designed to attract and retain high calibre professionals, the teaching sector remains plagued by staff shortages. And not just in areas of niche demand either. In the secondary space, a surprisingly large number of schools are struggling to staff up for core subjects, such as advanced maths and physics. One institution’s challenge is, however, proving to be another’s opportunity. Hence, we’ve begun to see better equipped schools positioning themselves as centres of excellence and offering online professional development courses for teachers looking to step up into those vacant roles. It’s a tech-enabled solution that’s likely to enjoying increasing popularity, next year and for as long as the supply/demand disparity persists.</p>
<h4><strong>Online opportunities for learning</strong></h4>
<p>‘Hybrid’ and ‘pop-up’ schools represent an alternative fix for the same problem. Education providers that can offer an effective learning experience to students online, as well as in person, have begun spruiking their services as remote providers, to schools that are unable to attract or afford specialist teachers. It’s a revenue opportunity we can expect to see more well equipped schools start to cash in on over the upcoming 12 months.<strong> </strong></p>
<h4><strong>AI everywhere</strong></h4>
<p>While AI&#8217;s role in education initially sparked concerns over misuse, in 2025, it will be embraced as a transformative tool. AI-driven analytics will enhance student assessments, moving beyond traditional grading systems to provide insights into learners&#8217; problem-solving approaches and creativity.</p>
<p>Educators will integrate AI into their pedagogy to support active learning, with AI-enabled tools serving as co-teachers that enhance classroom engagement. Simultaneously, ethical guidelines and transparent policies will underpin AI’s use, ensuring its integration aligns with educational values.</p>
<p>AI-powered virtual agents will revolutionise interactions in education too. From serving as intelligent teaching assistants to providing real-time support for administrative staff, they’ll enhance efficiency and engagement. These agents will also act as personalised learning guides for students, offering instant feedback and tailored recommendations.</p>
<figure id="attachment_12747" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-12747" style="width: 580px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img class=" wp-image-12747" src="https://www.school-news.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/newsletter-1.jpg" alt="" width="580" height="387" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-12747" class="wp-caption-text">Technology, when used right, can enhance learning for students. www.shutterstock.com</figcaption></figure>
<h4><strong>Admin efficiency</strong></h4>
<p>There’s considerable complexity associated with running a modern school and that complexity has created a heavy admin burden for teachers, who now spend around half their working hours on non-classroom tasks and activities. That’s part of the reason the profession has become a less appealing career option, for old hands and new starters alike.</p>
<p>And it’s why Australian schools will begin to adopt advanced, AI-powered management systems that automate time-consuming tasks like scheduling, attendance, and reporting. These platforms will centralise data management, providing seamless access for teachers, parents, and administrators. Brisbane Grammar School&#8217;s pioneering efforts to implement a student information system built on an AI-ready Dynamics 365 Platform, for example, heralds a future where technology reduces the administrative load, enhancing teacher satisfaction and retention.</p>
<h4><strong>Cyber scares</strong></h4>
<p>Banks, big businesses, government agencies…ask the average punter to list the organisations they believe are most at risk from cyber criminals and there’s a fair chance K-12 schools wouldn’t make the grade.</p>
<p>Yet, recent research shows they’re squarely in the frame: since 2021, there have been more than 35,000 attempts to access school systems in Victoria alone. That’s due, in no small part, to the wealth of detailed personal data in their keeping; data unscrupulous actors are eager to get their hands on. Some are using it to try to extort money from wealthy parents, according to a recent report issued by the Australian Signals Directorate. </p>
<p>Hence, while it’s not been a top of mind, nor top of budget, priority to date, cyber-security is likely to be in for an investment uplift going forward, as schools strive to lock down the digital records that now form the backbone of their operations. Over the next 12 months, we can expect to see the implementation of robust electronic records management systems with end-to-end encryption and multi-factor authentication. Blockchain technology will further enhance the security and integrity of these records, creating immutable, tamper-proof digital ledgers for student data and academic credentials. This approach will streamline processes like student enrolment, performance tracking, and credential verification while significantly reducing the risk of data breaches and fraud.</p>
<h4><strong>Predictive Analytics in Education</strong></h4>
<p>The next wave of ICT will see schools harnessing predictive analytics to improve educational outcomes. By analysing historical and real-time data, schools will identify at-risk students early, enabling targeted interventions. Predictive analytics will also inform curriculum design and resource allocation, optimising learning experiences and ensuring every student has the tools they need to succeed.</p>
<p><strong><img class="wp-image-26899 size-thumbnail alignleft" src="https://www.school-news.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Brett-Auton-image-150x150.png" alt="Education and AI" width="150" height="150" /></strong><em>This article was written by Brett Auton, K-12 Industry Lead for Atturra</em></p>

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