The Future of Innovation: Exploring Two Emerging Technology Trends
- Marlon Malone
- Oct 4
- 5 min read
Welcome Back to My Blog! The EdTech Zone!
Last week, I focused on evaluating Canvas with a learning management system (LMS) rubric. I took the following actions:
Developed and shared a rubric that can be used to evaluate a learning platform
Used my new rubric to evaluate Canvas as my platform of choice for my government agency setting (keeping my learner personas in mind: Learner Personas
Briefly described the learning setting
Provided recommendations as to whether Canvas meets the learning and educational setting needs
This week, I will use the last two years of the Horizon Report, identify two emerging technology trends: artificial intelligence (AI) and virtual reality (VR), and how they would enhance (or fail to enhance) educational technology. I will use the following questions for each trend, and I will justify my answers against my learner personas (Learner Personas):
What is it?
How does it work?
Who is it for?
Where is it having an impact?
Does it create any barriers? And if yes, for whom?
Why does it matter?
How does it enhance (or fail to enhance) educational technology?
I am going to jump right into the top trends……
Trend #1 – AI Tools for Teaching and Learning (and Related Processes)
What Is It?
Before I discuss AI tools for teaching and learning, I will define AI. AI refers to the practical ability of machines or artificial entities to solve tasks, interact, communicate, and behave logically like humans (Gil de Zúñiga et al., 2023).
So, what are AI tools for teaching and learning? AI tools, including generative assistants, adaptive tutors, and analytics platforms, provide valuable support to both educators and learners. AI tools are used to customize content and perform routine tasks automatically.
In addition, there are emerging trends related to AI tools for teaching and learning. They are faulty development for generative AI, AI governance, shoring up cybersecurity, evolving teaching practices, and critical digital literacy (EDUCASE, 2025).
How does it work?
EDUCAUSE (2025) outlined a few examples of how the AI tools for teaching and learning work:
Los Angeles Pacific University uses AI course assistants in every online class, including discussions and assignments. The AI course assistants facilitate activities such as Think-Pair-Share and role-playing and interact with students using a Socratic method.
McMaster University developed Assessment Partner, a generative AI platform that supports educators in designing student assessments. Assessment Partner integrates learning theories and universal design for adaptable guidance across disciplines.
Who is it for?
Faculty designers, educators, staff, and students. In my setting, trainers can automate feedback and monitoring, while employees get on-demand support:
Jill, aka Ambitious Employee: AI tools address accessibility challenges
Kevin, Impatient/Frustrated Employee: AI tools provide concise summaries for fast-paced employees.
Where is it having an impact?
EDUCAUSE (2025) explained that AI has a role in every sector of the job market. Education is no exception, such as universities, schools, and corporate education training. Educators must master AI to support learners’ development of AI skills for future employment.
Does it create any barriers? And if yes, for whom?
AI creates barriers if organizations fail to have governance and faculty development, which impacts the following:
Equity and accessibility (uncaptioned or inaccessible AI; impacting users like Jill
Privacy and policy: (sensitive school or government data; Kevin will resist if the tools are too intrusive or a waste of his time
Skill gaps: Faculty and staff need AI training in prompt design, assessment redesign, and academic integrity
Why does it matter?
It matters because AI is a game-changer. AI frees educators to focus on the pure science of educating learners while AI handles and automates tedious administrative tasks. EDUCAUSE (2025) argued that AI tools for teaching and learning focus on efficiency and personalization, yet it is still essential to also emphasize AI governance and faculty development to fully benefit from AI.
How does it enhance (or fail to enhance) educational technology?
AI enhances educational technology when the content is accessible (captions, screen-reader compatibility, etc.).
AI fails educational technology when organizations employ AI without training or governance, and accessibility and privacy are of little concern.
Jill, aka Ambitious Employee: AI enhances her experience when AI is captioned, screen-reader compatible, etc.
Kevin, Impatient/Frustrated Employee: AI enhances his experience when AI reduces clicks, surfaces just the essentials, and auto-alerts on compliance milestones.
Trend #2 - VR
What Is It?
Rand-Hendriksen (2019) provided a clear definition of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR). First, AR augments reality with computer-generated content through devices such as glasses or a phone. AR is used for gaming and entertainment, commerce and marketing, and training. Second, VR is an immersive experience in which the individual uses glasses, earphones, and other devices to replace the real world with a virtual world. VR is mainly used for gaming and entertainment, therapy, and training.
How does it work?
VR tools could be used to offer learners experiences that simulate real-world settings, which prepare students to develop job-specific skills in a safe and controlled environment. In education, when VR is integrated into the curriculum design, institutions can align learning outcomes with industry needs. The alignment equips graduates with relevant workforce skills (EDUCAUSE, 2025).
Who is it for?
In my organizational setting, VR is for the following learner personas:
Jill, aka Ambitious Employee, benefits from captioned audio, text overlays, and interpreter-friendly experiences, plus the ability to replay complex workflows
Kevin, Impatient/Frustrated Employee: benefits from targeted refreshers that quickly simulate edge cases in finance or acquisition without risking production systems.
Where is it having an impact?
VR tools are helpful in fields such as health care, engineering, construction, and culinary arts (EDUCAUSE, 2025).
Does it create any barriers? And if yes, for whom?
VR creates barriers in the following areas:
Cost and infrastructure: Headsets, content creation, and device management are costly.
Accessibility: Motion sickness, controller dexterity, and lack of captions/sign overlays can exclude learners like Jill.
Scale & support: Device checkout, hygiene, and space can frustrate users like Kevin if sessions are too slow and glitchy.
Why does it matter?
I will keep this simple. VR tools support engagement, collaboration, and hands-on learning.
How does it enhance (or fail to enhance) educational technology?
VR enhances the learning experience when simulations are closely related to real-world jobs, accessible (such as captions and screen-readers), and sessions are tied to learning outcomes.
VR fails when content is flashy but misaligned, inaccessible, or too cumbersome to schedule and support.
Jill, aka Ambitious Employee: VR enhances her experience when the tools are accessible.
Kevin, Impatient/Frustrated Employee: VR enhances his experience when the tools are fast, reliable, and are strongly aligned with his current job or future aspirations.
Conclusion
AI tools for teaching and learning, and VR are blazing a path to a brighter future for educational technology. However, organizations should plan for the implementation of AI tools in their environment. As we learned last week, it is important for organizations to evaluate AI tools before purchasing them. Second, organizations should consider piloting AI and VR before introducing them enterprise-wide. Third, there must be a focus on accessibility and privacy. Hence, planning for AI should consist of faculty development for generative AI, AI governance, shoring up cybersecurity, evolving teaching practices, and critical digital literacy (EDUCAUSE, 2025).
I will take a hiatus from blogging. However, I look forward to seeing you soon when I return!
References
EDUCAUSE. (2025). 2025 EDUCAUSE Horizon Report: Teaching & Learning. EDUCAUSE. https://www.educause.edu/horizon-report-teaching-and-learning-2025
Gil de Zúñiga, H., Goyanes, M., & Durotoye, R. (2023). Artificial intelligence and political communication: Assessing AI’s impact on democratic discourse and civic engagement. Political Communication, 40(4), 567–586.
Rand-Hendriksen, M. (2019, May 20). What is Extended Reality (XR): VR, AR, and MR? [Video]. In Tech Sense. LinkedIn Learning. https://www.linkedin.com/learning/tech-sense/what-is-extended-reality-xr-vr-ar-and-mr
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