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2012’s Education Trends Revealed

London, 02 September 2011

Improving discipline in schools, raising exam results and an increased emphasis on Maths and Science will be the biggest trends in education in 2012, according to research.
With schools throughout the country returning on Monday, the study conducted by Encyclopædia Britannica reveals nearly a quarter (24 per cent) of people believe discipline will be the single biggest issue that schools face in the coming year.
And with both A-level and GCSE results continuing to improve year-on-year, added to continuing concerns over “soft” subjects dominating the curriculum, raising exam scores (16 per cent) and encouraging students to focus on Maths and Science (10 per cent) will also feature prominently.
Inside the classroom, the revolution in technology will continue to be one of the most important themes for schools. Mobile learning, including educational apps, smart devices and netbooks will become more popular with teachers and students, while schools will also invest more in ICT infrastructure. Alongside this, classroom collaboration among pupils and the implementation of a more creative curriculum in schools could also take-off this year.
The research also reveals that several current educational debates are set to continue into 2012. Nearly one in 10 (nine per cent) believe that for many schools the movement to academy status will dominate the education pages, while the adoption of the International Baccalaureate - which encourages pupils to focus on five key disciplines - and reforming school career advice will also top headteachers’ priority lists.
Caroline Kennard, Director of Education at Encyclopædia Britannica, said: “2012 is set to be a very important year in the education sector. As teachers and students return to the classroom on Monday, many schools throughout the country are facing the familiar pressures of managing squeezed budgets and overcrowded timetables, while trying to raise standards.”
“But as our research suggests, 2012 presents our schools with a number of exciting opportunities. With both Science and Maths improving in popularity for A-levels and GCSEs, combined with the rapid development of classroom technology, Britannica is excited that in today's climate, schools will have a unique opportunity to benefit fully from the digital revolution..”
To help schools prepare for the 2012 academic year, Britannica is offering schools free monthly trials of Britannica Online School Edition, Image Quest and Britannica Pathways: Science, which offer a huge range of interactive digital resources, covering the whole curriculum.
The top predicted trends in education in 2012:
  1. Improving discipline
  2. Improving exam results
  3. Increased emphasis on Maths & Science
  4. Moving to Academy status
  5. Increasing parental engagement
  6. Developing a more creative curriculum
  7. Providing more career advice
  8. Shift to mobile learning (e.g. iPads)
  9. One-to-one ICT learning
  10. Home education

Notes to editors:

About the Research:
Research was carried out online by survey company Toluna, among 1200 UK respondents in August 2011. Respondents were invited to submit an answer to an open question on what the biggest education trends in education in 2012 will be. The top ten were then shortlisted and voted on.
About Encyclopædia Britannica:
Britannica was founded in Edinburgh in 1768 at the height of the period of European history known as the “Enlightenment”. Its aim was to publish clear, current and correct information, based on a scientific approach to knowledge.
It is the most comprehensive and oldest continuously published reference work in the English language and is revered worldwide for its editorial integrity. Britannica strives to help its users become confident global citizens, by delivering expert and up-to-date knowledge and being global leaders in providing a source for life-long learning.
Encycloppædia Britannica (UK) Ltd is a subsidiary of Encycloppædia Britannica Inc. who are leading providers of learning and knowledge products. Britannica is proud to be one of the world's most trusted sources of information.
In 2011 Encyclopædia Britannica was named as one of the UK’s most respected brands in the annual Consumer Superbrand Survey. Britannica was one of only eight media reference companies to make the top 500 brands in the UK and was the only one to be listed in the top 50.
About Britannica Online & Mobile:
Today Encyclopædia Britannica has a larger and more diverse line of online and mobile products than ever before. Our outlook is shaped by our tradition of excellence and an understanding of what knowledge seekers need in the digital age.
Britannica's most comprehensive online product is Britannica Online Academic Edition, which delivers relevant, web-based content for further and higher education. It is continuously updated, revised and developed with new articles, allowing its users to research confidently with expert information and a host of research tools designed to support advanced study.
Beyond the Online Academic Edition, Britannica continues to develop an extensive range of online products aimed at all levels of the curriculum.
In 2002 Britannica introduced Britannica Online School Edition, a comprehensive reference and education service specially designed for primary and secondary schools. It has undergone several significant upgrades in the years since. Aspects of the product are available on the Guardian’s Teacher Resources site
In 2006 Britannica introduced Britannica Online Public Library Edition, delivering three products in one, including separate home pages for adults, students, and children. The product allows libraries to tailor the product to their patrons' needs.
In 2011 Britannica launched six titles in a series of educational mobile applications for children. The Ancient Romans, Ancient Egypt, Solar System, Volcanoes, Rainforests and Dinosaurs apps will be followed by a further 60 project-based programmes later in the year.
Image Quest was launched in January 2011 to provide one million digital images to universities, colleges and schools. Fully rights-cleared for educational use, Image Quest brings together collections from the National Geographic, Getty Images, and Oxford Scientific and many others, into an easy-to-use online portal.
For further information about Britannica and its products, please visit: www.britannica.co.uk
Follow Britannica on Twitter: @Britannica_UK
Britannica Flickr Feed: www.flickr.com/photos/britannica_image_quest/

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