Skip to Main Content
Clever Annual Report 2024

Classroom of the future

Emerging Classroom Trends

We surveyed over 1,600 educators to uncover the top trends redefining education. From the AI revolution to the demand for inclusive instruction, this report delivers essential insights to drive teaching and learning forward this school year and beyond.

Automating heavy workloads

Educators are mixed on what technology could (and should) replace.

Read more
Teachers’ AI views shift

Despite AI optimism, some educators still lack confidence in using it responsibly.

Read more
Urgent call for inclusive edtech

Educators see a path to making edtech more accessible to all students.

Read more
Tools shaping future classrooms

These 3 digital tools are rated most effective for enhancing student learning.

Read more

Automating heavy workloads

How are educators using automation? Educators are using technology to lighten their workloads and boost classroom efficiency.

  • Rising value of classroom tech: In 2024, 80% of educators say tech makes their jobs easier, compared to 63% in 2023.

Half of teachers agree that any of the following tasks should be automated or streamlined with technology: 

  • Administrative tasks (e.g., attendance, grading)
  • Communication with students and parents
  • Tools for lesson planning and curriculum development
  • Personalized learning experiences for students
  • Shared documents and planning with colleagues

Where do teachers draw the line on automation?

Nearly a third of teachers (31%) advocate against automating communication with students and parents, nodding to the importance of personal connection in community relationships.

Teachers’ AI views shift

How are teachers approaching AI at school this year? Most educators believe AI will bring ease to jobs. Teachers’ outlook on AI has dramatically shifted from concern to optimism over the past year.

Decreased concern: The percentage of teachers who believe AI will make their job harder has dropped from 48% to 18% since 2023.

Have all educators embraced AI?

Although AI optimism has shifted, a wide confidence gap remains among teachers.
lightning bolt icon
Super users

Just 23% of teachers express a high level of confidence in their ability to use AI-powered tools safely and responsibly.

stairs icon
Varies by experience

Teachers with 2-5 years of experience are more likely to think AI will make their job easier (41%) compared to teachers with more than 15 years of experience (32%).

bar chart icon
Confidence gap

While 30% of teachers feel moderately confident in using AI-powered tools safely and responsibly, a significant proportion (45%) report being only slightly confident or not confident at all.

Stories of AI in the classroom

Watch the videos to see how AI is empowering student creativity, reducing teacher workload, and impacting learning experiences.
Geoff Edwards, Superintendent

“Student input is crucial in shaping our AI policies. Through focus groups and pilot programs, we discovered students use AI not for cheating, but as a tool for studying, critical thinking, and creativity. This feedback helps us guide AI use in classrooms effectively.”

Katherine Springer, Educator

“Last year, only about 10% of our teachers were using AI, fearing it would replace them or complicate their jobs. We’ve since demonstrated how AI can be a helpful tool, like with Brisk quizzes, and now teachers are in a better headspace for implementation. Using AI has significantly reduced their stress and workload, allowing them to focus more on building important relationships with their students.”

Andy Shaw, K-12 US Education Lead, Canva for Education

“Districts feel safe letting students and educators explore AI with Canva because we’ve implemented strong guardrails and made it user-friendly. Educators have access to a suite of generative AI tools within the familiar Canva platform, simplifying their workflow and reducing the need for additional tools.”

Urgent call for inclusive edtech

What edtech resources do educators need most? Despite its benefits, technology still has areas to improve and better support student outcomes. Only about one-third of educators agree that technology effectively enables personalized learning experiences.

Educators express a strong need for more resources, particularly for:

  • Support for students with IEPs or 504 plans: 56% of educators desire better technology to assist these students.
  • Need for professional development: 55% of educators believe that training on inclusive edtech practices would be the most beneficial support.

When do educators choose tech over traditional methods?

A significant majority of educators now find digital tools more effective than traditional methods in meeting diverse educational needs.
raised hand icon
Student engagement

63% of educators find technology more effective than traditional methods for engaging students.

lightbulb icon
Personalized learning

52% of educators believe technology personalizes learning better than traditional methods.

Increase accessibility

49% of teachers think technology is more effective than traditional methods in making learning accessible for students with diverse needs.

Top 3 tools shaping future classrooms

What are teachers’ preferred digital tools? Despite 80% of teachers using technology regularly to enhance student engagement, nearly half (48%) want more edtech resources focused on student engagement. 

Educators are favoring several digital tools that have proven effective in enhancing student learning:

  1. Document collaboration tools: Rated effective by 69% of educators.
  2. Gamified apps: Rated effective by 61% of teachers.
  3. Learning management systems: Rated effective by 60% of teachers.

Insights for your team

Superpower your strategies with key insights based on a survey of 1,600 educators. Download a shareable PDF to share and discuss with your team.

Report: 2024 Classroom Trends

Download your free copy! When providing an email address, you’ll receive periodic updates from the Clever team.

Who built this report?

A report is only as good as the people behind it. The Classroom of the Future report is the result of a collaboration between experienced research analysts and experts in mission-driven business strategy.
Clever
Clever is on a mission to connect every student to a world of learning. More than 77% of U.S. K-12 schools use Clever to securely connect the data and applications needed, to make digital learning work better for everyone.
Whiteboard Advisors
Whiteboard Advisors is a communications, research, and strategic consulting firm that helps change-making organizations and entrepreneurs make an impact.

Subscribe to our Cybersecure K-12 Newsletter to receive exclusive insights to safeguard school data.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

More research from Clever

REPORT

Cybersecure 2024

Our 2nd annual Cybersecure Report equips decision-makers accountable for student data with the latest trends in K-12 cybersecurity synthesized from intelligence gathered from over 800 district technology leaders. Read the report to gain critical insight that can aid your security planning for 2024 and beyond.

Are you a K-12 leader?

Stay up to date on emerging trends shaping K-12 learning.
Follow us on LinkedIn