Innovations in information and communication technology (ICT) will continue to enable us to solve these problems more effectively, but so will innovations in technology for healthcare, housing, clothing, food, energy, and transportation. Private businesses in Alberta seem to be focusing on using ICT effectively, on worker health and productivity, and on sustainability. Classrooms tend to follow the examples private businesses, but lag behind due to budget constraints, so I imagine that technology in the classroom in 20 years will look a lot like it does in many businesses today.
We will see schools using social networking, information management systems, and VoIP technology more effectively. We will see more ergonomic classroom design--physically, cognitively, organizationally, and environmentally. This will include changes to lighting, furniture, air quality standards, wall layout, writing utensils, sanitation protocols, break times, and activity/nutrition mandates. We will also see more composting, reusing, and green power (e.g., solar, wind, hydro).