Higher Education’s 2020 Trend Watch & Top 10 Strategic Technologies

Published:
Briefs, Case Studies, Papers, Reports
Author(s) and Contributors:
Author(s): D. Christopher Brooks Mark McCormack Ben Shulman
Source(s) and Collection(s):
Sources(s): EDUCAUSE Research Collection(s): Research Hub Research Interactive Graphics and Infographics Research Report
ParentTopics:
Accessibility Active Learning Analytics Assistive Technology Business Process Reengineering Cloud Computing and Services Compliance Cyber Threat Intelligence Data Administration and Management Data Security Digital Learning Digital Transformation (Dx) Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Encryption Enterprise Architecture Enterprise Information Systems Infrastructure and Research Technologies Intrusion Detection and Prevention Learning Analytics Mobile Computing Mobile Learning Open Educational Resources (OER) Presidents and Senior Executives Risk Management Security Risk Management Student Success Technology-Enabled Advising

Higher Ed's 2020 Trend Watch & Top 10 Strategic Technologies

This research examines technological investments institutions will spend the most time implementing, planning, and tracking in 2020, as well as the related trends that could influence institutional IT strategy.

Report | Other materials

Key Findings

The trends and technologies reviewed in this report were identified through an EDUCAUSE survey conducted in the summer of 2019 and completed by 312 US institutions.

Top 10 Strategic Technologies

    1. Uses of APIs
    2. Institutional support for accessibility technologies
    3. Blended data center (on premises and cloud based)
    4. Incorporation of mobile devices in teaching and learning
    5. Open educational resources
    1. Technologies for improving analysis of student data
    2. Security analytics
    3. Integrated student success planning and advising systems
    4. Mobile apps for enterprise applications
    5. Predictive analytics for student success (institutional level)

Read more about the 2020 Top 10 Strategic Technologies >




Most Influential Trends

Six trends are influential at 61% or more of colleges and universities (listed below from highest to lowest level of influence):

  1. Growing complexity of security threats
  2. Student success focus/imperatives
  3. Data-informed decision-making
  4. Privacy
  5. Enterprise risk management
  6. Institution-wide data management and integrations

Read more about trends in 2020 >




Top IT Issues Alignment

See how the strategic technologies and trends map to the 2020 Top 10 IT Issues and four major themes—simplify, sustain, innovate, and drive to digital transformation. Read more about how the technologies and trends align with the 2020 issues >

Top 10 IT Issues Themes: Simplify, Sustain, Innovate, Drive to Dx




Up and Coming Technologies

At least 35% of institutions are tracking these five technologies in 2020: Support for 5G; Wi-Fi 6 (802.11 ax, AX Wi-Fi); Identity as a Service (IDaaS); Digital microcredentials (including badging); Uses of the Internet of Things for teaching and learning; and Next-generation digital learning environment. Read more about the technologies institutions are tracking >

Up and Coming


Reports and Supporting Materials

Thumbnail of Infographic

 

Infographic

Download the Road to Digital Transformation infographic now. The graphic is publicly accessible.

EDUCAUSE members: Please log in to access all other 2020 Trends and Technologies materials.

 

Related Resources

Issues, Technologies, and Trends Resources

Higher education leaders and decision makers use the annual Issues, Technologies, and Trends resources—the Top 10 IT Issues, the Strategic Technologies and Trends, and the Horizon Report—to know what's important and where to focus in their IT planning and management activities. When viewed together these resources provide more complete and nuanced guidance on institutional IT priorities.