For some of the biggest technological innovations of our history, we can measure success by at the level of users. Hitting the coveted 50 million users mark is a sure sign of triumph, but how quickly are top technologies taking to reach this magic number? 

For the past 4 years, we have collected our thoughts on future trends and emerging technology for the coming year. 

It’s a useful record for schools to look at what to focus on for the year, and what to start thinking about.

Time to dust off our crystal ball, reflect on 2017, and look to the future.

Here we go...

Still going to grow from 2017

[1] Chatbots

2017 saw an emergence of chatbots (AI that conducts conversation). You may not even realise you’re speaking to a chatbot - but these services have been implemented across multiple businesses and industries to help with a variety of means.

We expect chatbots to continue to grow, particularly in the ‘support’ field, where most questions are regular queries that a chatbot can easily answer.

Facebook Messenger is an example platform to build a chatbot. Parents can use it as a ‘help guide’, particularly for usual support queries about using the ‘Parent Portal’, or accessing the school calendar.

Alternatively, you can install one onto your website to help with simple queries and instructions.

For example, a chatbot could be installed on your website to help with admissions enquiries. If a person goes on to the ‘Admissions Process’ page, the service could pop up, introduce itself, and offer guidance and tips for your school’s admissions process - and answer any queries the person has.

[2] Voice

Voice will continue its upward trajectory - as user adoption accelerates. We expect more companies (and schools) to invest in developing voice interfaces. 

This will most likely be on the Alexa platform first, as Amazon controls around 70% of the smart speaker market (eMarketer).

Yet, Apple are coming into the mix in 2018 with their HomePod - and you can never underestimate Apple.

It is sure to be an exciting one to watch.

[3] New video formats

2017 saw a variety of new video formats - from ‘square video with captions’ to ‘circular videos on Snapchat’. 

Video will continue to grow, and the formats will keep evolving to grab attention and drive engagement.

We expect to see more schools using fully immersive 360 video - and to develop their VR content.

[1] Virtual Reality & Augmented Reality [CORRECT]

We said: The technology and behaviour around VR and AR will evolve over the next 12 months, and further.

2017 has seen VR and AR come along in leaps and bounds. It is clear that the applications offered by VR and AR have a long way to go, but in a relatively short amount of time both platforms are readily available to everyday consumers.

• For VR, we have Google Card (incredibly cheap, to be used with a mobile device) and a whole variety of VR headsets, such as Oculus Rift, HTC Vive and gaming headsets like PlayStation VR. 
• For AR, the introduction of ARKit on the new iPhone models has brought augmented reality into the homes of millions.

VR and AR will undoubtedly remain a trend throughout 2018, expanding into other sectors outside entertainment. Keep an eye on the education industry in particular, as VR and AR become key learning tools both inside and outside the classroom. Google expeditions is already a prime example of this!

Schools using social media is becoming a big deal. The ability to reach large audiences, both within and external to your community, is a core facet of your school's marketing efforts.

Being active on social media is key. However, this can be difficult to maintain with good momentum all year round. To help, we have created a festive, social media orientated event that runs throughout December. We call it #SocialAdvent.

Yes, the #SocialAdvent Challenge is back for 2017! It's bigger and better than ever before! 

For 25 days, we set a different challenge. These challenges will help guide you in new ways to create content or use different areas of social media more effectively. The idea is that you will be able to share content that your community will be interested in.

How to play:

Each year, schools all around the world share their inspiring #SchoolStories throughout December. Each day there's a new challenge to tackle and share with your community. We call it #SocialAdvent.

Will you be taking part?

The #SocialAdvent Challenge 2017

December has been a firm favourite at @intSchools HQ over past years. We put lots of time into making this challenge as fun as possible for schools wanting to get involved.

This year we are looking to make our fourth #SocialAdvent challenge the greatest one yet, with a record number of participants across a global audience. To make it extra special, our creative elves have been hard at work - coming up and designing a bigger, better and refreshed #SocialAdvent to spread festive marketing cheer throughout December. 

Get involved!

Download the #SocialAdvent Calendar using the links below. We have created two versions for you:

• poster - download and stick onto your wall

• foldable desk calendar - download, fold in half and keep on your desk

Sulfur, Oxygen, Carbon, Iodine and Aluminium - what would they create? SO₂CI₃Al (not a recommended, or even viable, chemical formula by the way).

In this week's #SchoolBytes, we are sending out something a little special. With a team of lab-cloaked researchers, we have been splicing the atoms of social media.

What did we discover through our study? Many, many elements that make up the very fabric of the Social Media Universe! In a truly scientific manner, we've begun to map out these elements.

For your viewing pleasure, we give you The Periodic Table of Social Media.

Each year, during the very busy school conference season, we boot up our #SocialScore tool and analyse how schools are performing on Twitter.

This year, we wanted to share our findings - taking a more analytic approach to what the top Tweeting schools are doing to be hitting a high #SocialScore.

So, without further ado, here are the top 10 HMC schools on Twitter.