7 EdTech Trends to Expect in 2026
Dhwani Shah
December 8, 2025
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7 min read
I remember watching the movie ‘Her’ back in 2014. The concept of an artificial intelligence system designed to meet human needs seemed so wildly futuristic and unreal back then! (I say as I ask ChatGPT to help me with my weekly grocery list 😅)
Ready Player One, with its VR headsets that transported you into a virtual world for a treasure hunt, left me in awe. The story was set in 2045, but here we are, 20 years earlier, where VR headsets capable of taking us into the hyper-realistic metaverse are already a reality.
The past decade has completely changed the way we think, work, study, and live. Technology is evolving at breakneck speed and the world of education is changing faster than ever, thanks to constant innovation, better digital infrastructure and research-led learning models. The adoption of digital tools in the past few years has moved from “nice-to-have” to absolutely essential. It’s no surprise that the global EdTech market is projected to reach a staggering $348.41 billion by 2030.
2025 saw several exciting EdTech trends flourish and redefine how we teach and learn. And as we step into the new year, we’re not just expecting new trends, we’ll also see existing ones mature and scale new heights.
Here are the 7 most promising education technology trends set to shape learning in 2026:
AI is no longer a buzzword, it’s now a common household term. AI in healthcare, AI in finance, AI in technology, AI in marketing…and one field it has truly transformed is that of education. The global AI in education market size is expected to reach USD 75.1 billion by 2033. In fact, 60% of teachers now use AI in their regular teaching routines, making it a common classroom tool. The coming year will see an explosive growth in AI adoption for personalized learning.
AI-powered adaptive learning programs will be used to analyze each student's preferred learning style, pace, and performance to create tailored educational content and assignments. Students with learning disabilities can particularly benefit from this targeted assistance. Every learner will receive individualized instruction that adapts in real-time, making education more inclusive and effective than ever before.
Over and above learning styles and speeds, AI can leverage a student’s strengths and weaknesses, attendance, engagement and assessment patterns to identify at-risk students and anticipate potential learning problems before they arise. These actionable insights can help educators make data-driven decisions to ensure students receive timely support before academic performance gets affected.
Imagine studying with a private tutor, but one available 24/7 and providing immediate feedback. This is exactly what AI tutors do. Platforms like Khanmigo and Socratic by Google offer AI-powered personalized support to help students solve problems and clarify doubts with in-depth explanations at the click of a button. Furthermore, AI tools can transcribe lessons and turn them into quick summaries with key points, making revision easier, without worrying about note-taking.
Think of the countless hours teachers spend designing lesson plans, preparing resources and grading papers, between classes, during breaks, and sometimes even carrying heavy stacks of papers home. If properly trained with detailed criteria and examples, AI platforms can correct and evaluate homework, essays and assessments. Generative AI tools can also help teachers generate lesson plans, infographics, worksheets and lecture presentations.
AI will not replace teachers; it will simply serve as an intelligent aid by automating routine tasks, freeing up valuable time to focus on the more human aspects of teaching. Artificial intelligence is set to transform the educational experience and outcomes for both teachers and students, enabling them to achieve more in less time.
Gone are the days when learning was restricted to pen and paper. Be it laptops, tablets or projectors, screens have now become commonplace in the classroom. But with shrinking attention spans, there is an increasing demand for experiential and innovative learning to boost engagement. Something beyond the screen, that can make learning come to life.
Enter augmented reality and virtual reality. What once seemed nothing short of science fiction is now becoming a mainstream element of educational programs, as headsets become affordable and newer AR focused apps and technologies continue to be developed.
The global AR and VR in education market is forecasted to reach USD 75 billion by 2033. Immersive technologies like AR, VR and MR are making educational experiences interactive, attractive and as a result, more effective. By simulating highly real-world environments, they allow students to explore concepts in-depth, boosting understanding, engagement and retention. Be it moving through space or travelling through time, conducting experiments in virtual laboratories without the risk of injury and cost of expensive equipment, dissecting anatomical 3D models to improve comprehension and practice skills in a safe, controlled environment, immersive experiences enhance the learning process in a way that textbooks or 2D videos cannot. This is especially beneficial for the STEM industry, where visual demonstrations of complex concepts simplify understanding of the subject matter.
A study from Inspired Education Group found that 90% of students reported increased engagement, and 25% reported higher confidence in their knowledge after using VR. Apps like Touch Surgery (an AR-based surgical simulation app to help medical students learn and practice procedures), Mondly VR (language learning through real-life dialogues in VR) and my personal favourite, Google Arts and Culture (virtual field trips to museums, Mars, and more) are already changing the game. With these technologies becoming more accessible, 2026 will see a major leap in immersive, boundaryless learning experiences.
We all have that one file, stacks of transcripts, degrees, diplomas, safeguarded in its covers. Each time you need something, you spend hours sifting through the documents to find that one piece of paper. Lose one, and the bureaucratic hassle of getting a new one is slow and tedious.
Blockchain technology is eliminating this problem entirely by offering a secure, tamper-proof way to issue and verify educational credentials (skills, degrees, certificates) almost instantly. Unlike traditional paper certificates which are slow, susceptible to fraud and counterfeiting, blockchain offers a safe, transparent way to access, validate and update qualifications and records anytime, anywhere, and ensures that these cannot be forged or lost.
More and more educational institutions are projected to capitalize on blockchain for secure document handling in 2026, a shift accelerated by increased global mobility and rising concerns over forged qualifications.
Gamification is no longer an emerging trend, it has already made it big in the educational sphere. Popular gamified apps like Duolingo, Kahoot, Classcraft, Khan Academy, with their engaging elements and interactive processes are replacing long, monotonous lectures, and turning students into active participants instead of merely passive consumers.
Gamification is the application of game design elements and principles in non-gaming contexts to boost user engagement, motivation, and participation. Who doesn’t like playing games? So when games are designed with learning objectives in mind, learning occurs but naturally, and becomes memorable, fun and rewarding. Research shows that gamification can actually increase e-learning effectiveness by an impressive 89.4%!
With the success gamification has seen in combating declining attention spans and changing modes of learning, the adoption of this trend will rise exponentially in the coming years. Its global market value is likely to exceed $35 billion by 2027.
Badges, points, and leaderboards add an element of motivation to the traditional learning experience. However, the new era of gamification will go beyond these basic elements. Engaging storylines will be set in immersive virtual environments and educational quests will be enjoyed in augmented reality, in the ‘phygital’ world. The Metaverse will allow learners to be psychologically present in the virtual space, and interact in shared challenges, team assignments and competitions. Gamification will undoubtedly be a major driver of engagement in 2026 and beyond.
Sometimes, it seems unbelievable that I sat through 8 hours of school without checking my phone. Ask me to read from a textbook now, and I’d probably reach for my phone in under 15 minutes. Expect me to listen to an hour long lecture and I’ll zone out in not more than 5 minutes. Today, most of us struggle to stay focused for more than a few minutes. TikTok, Reels, and YouTube Shorts have made us all accustomed to short form content.
Mobile-first micro learning is capitalizing on these limited attention spans and our constant access to mobile devices. Microlearning breaks down big, complex topics into small, bite-sized content, lasting a few to up to 10 minutes. Be it through short videos, quizzes or creative infographics, this approach aims to deliver quick, specific knowledge in a way that boosts interest and knowledge retention among busy, attention-deficit learners.
A study by eLearning Industry shows that microlearning and bite-sized visual learning modules can improve information retention by 20% compared to other learning formats. Online course provider Coursera has launched Clips, a collection of nearly 200,000 bite‑sized videos between 5–10 minutes. The number of educational creators on Instagram and YouTube has blown up.
Thanks to the flexibility and mobility that microlearning offers, these short, comprehensive modules will become the dominant methodology in an era of decreasing attention spans, busy schedules and omnipresent smartphones.
‘Necessity is the mother of invention.’ The pandemic compelled the traditional education model to pivot overnight. And despite the initial skepticism, people realized that this could really work. Online learning offers plenty of benefits, and that's why it has continued to thrive even after the pandemic, and is now powering a new generation of learners. In 2026, the normalization of remote learning coupled with an increased demand for flexibility will make way for more robust hybrid learning models.
Hybrid learning is an educational model that simultaneously combines traditional in-person and online instruction. Learners can choose where and how they want to learn, supporting varied learning styles, needs and schedules.
This convenience extends to educators as well, who can save cost and build scale, reaching students across geographies at a fraction of the price. In fact, platforms like Zoom which initially started as business videoconferencing tools are increasingly being used by educators to conduct remote classes.
With the use of AI-driven personalization, immersive technologies and gamified approaches, the hybrid model will become even more sophisticated in the years to come.
According to a McKinsey Global Institute report, AI-powered automation could eliminate between 400-800 million jobs worldwide by 2030. We’ve all seen headlines like this over the past few months. And it’s true, artificial intelligence is certainly reshaping the workforce and will most likely take over routine, repetitive jobs. However, what it will also change is what makes you valuable at work.
In such a scenario, distinctly human skills will be highly revered: the ability to be a good leader, a kind and sharp team member, a good communicator. Soft skills like teamwork, leadership, problem-solving and emotional intelligence will equip learners to stay relevant in the dynamic job market. Thus, in the coming years, educators will place a strong emphasis on upskilling in these areas.
In fact, LinkedIn Learning now offers a bunch of courses on developing essential professional soft skills like emotional intelligence, critical thinking and resilience. These skills support both personal and professional growth, becoming increasingly popular in an age of occupational shifts.
As existing technologies flourish and new innovations enter the market, 2026 will see a major metamorphosis of the education landscape. For educators, academy owners, and training institutes, staying ahead isn’t just an advantage, it’s essential. And if you want to be at the helm of this change, Classcard is here to help you lead it.
Our feature-rich and intuitive class management platform empowers academies with everything they need to run smarter and more efficiently. be it class scheduling, online bookings, attendance, payment, and progress tracking, or staff management. Whether you're embracing hybrid learning, scaling operations, or enhancing your learner experience with technology, we give you the tools and support to make it absolutely seamless.
As emerging EdTech trends continue to revolutionize the world of learning, Classcard ensures your academy isn’t just keeping up, it’s staying ahead. If you’d like to learn how Classcard can help simplify and automate your processes, book your free demo today!