How Should an Ideal Edtech App Look? A List of Features Your EdTech App Should Have

The edtech (educational technology) industry is flourishing in India, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result of the country's educational institutions' growing integration of digital tools to improve learning, India is a strong candidate to be called the "EdTech Capital of the World", according to one of the publications owned by orfonline.org.

A vast array of students nationwide have benefited from the democratisation of access to educational information brought about by the emergence of affordable edtech platforms, both public and private.

Read More | Boosting Productivity & Efficiency with Technology in Classroom

The Benefits of Online Education

E-learning has completely changed education by making knowledge easily accessible to students at all educational levels, from preschool to graduate school.

However, parents also gain a great deal from edtech. Its effects are not just felt by kids. 

Based on the statistics mentioned on statisa.com, a decent percentage of Indian high schools and preschools have created their own smartphone apps, enabling parents to keep an eye on their kids.

What should an Ideal EdTech Application Include?

An ultimate user-friendly interface keeping in mind the following elements : 

1. User-Friendly Interface: To ensure that users of all ages and tech skill levels can use its features without confusion, the app should have an intuitive and easy-to-navigate interface.
2. "Read More" or "Related Topics": The "Read More" or "Related Topics" sections give students the option to go deeper into related subjects or examine supplemental content without ever leaving the app. This gives them access to more resources, which improves their learning process.
3. Efficient Search Functionality: Having a strong search function is crucial to assisting students in finding particular subjects or materials quickly. As a result, the software becomes more effective as a learning tool and saves time.
4. Progress Tracking and Bookmarking: Students ought to be able to save and revisit their work at a later time. This feature makes it easy for people to pick up where they left off, which is especially helpful for individuals juggling many subjects or themes.
5. Offline Access: In a nation where internet connectivity is erratic, it is imperative to make sure that content can be downloaded for offline use. Students can continue their studies even in the absence of an internet connection thanks to this function.
6. AI-Driven Recommendations: Using AI to make recommendations for materials and study schedules based on a student's past academic performance tailors the educational experience. These suggestions can assist students in concentrating on their areas of weakness or delving into interesting subjects.
7. Cross-Platform Interoperability: The application must function on both iOS and Android smartphones. Make sure to get yourself a developer /agency that specialises in building hybrid apps 
8. Interactive and Engaging Content: You should have a range of interactive content in your app to keep students interested. This could incorporate interactive movies, simulations, riddles, and quizzes that push pupils to apply what they've learnt. To add a competitive element and make learning more fun, gamification features like leaderboards and awards can be used. Additionally, think about incorporating elements like discussion boards, group projects, or online study groups that let students work together with their classmates.
9. Security and Privacy: It is imperative to give security and privacy top priority during the construction of your app due to the sensitive nature of educational data. Verify that the app conforms with laws pertaining to data protection, such as the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) (COPPA). Put relevant encryption procedures in place.

Check Out: Is Cyber Security a Concern when it comes to Online Learning?

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Types of Resources you can Share via your Web /Mobile Apps

1. Newsletters: To update parents, students, and staff about forthcoming events, significant announcements, and the newest developments in education, schools can publish newsletters via their websites or apps. Frequent newsletters can also provide instructor observations, highlight student accomplishments, and offer advice to parents on how to help their kids study at home.
2. E-books: Organisations can produce and distribute ebooks with information that is subject-specific, easy-to-learn, or has contemporary solutions. These electronic books can act as additional resources for students, providing them with explanations and insights that go beyond what they learn in their textbooks. You can utilise ebooks to create customised study guides, research papers, and project reports for your pupils.
3. Quick Tutorials: A Udemy-like software that specialises in video tutorials might be created. These lessons offer a comprehensive learning platform and can cover a wide range of topics, from academic courses to extracurricular abilities. For students who learn best visually, video tutorials are especially useful since they let them follow along at their own pace and observe topics in action.
4. Interactive Courses: If your software doesn't already provide fast tutorials, think about adding fully functional interactive courses. To provide students with a well-rounded education, these courses may combine peer reviews, quizzes, video lectures, and assignments. With interactive classes, students can move at their own pace and can be matched to different learning levels, from beginner to advanced.
5. Enterprise App: To organise and manage their operations more effectively, schools can create an official app. With the help of an app, school activities may be updated, practised, and evaluated while providing a centralised platform for management and communication. Moreover, an enterprise app can provide facilities for parent-teacher communication, grade management, and attendance tracking, which simplify day-to-day operations for administrators.
6. Virtual Labs: If your organisation focuses on research and technology, you might want to incorporate virtual labs into your application. Students can perform simulations and experiments in a secure, controlled setting by using virtual labs. Students who do not have access to physical labs or equipment will find this especially helpful. In addition, virtual labs can be used to illustrate difficult ideas in disciplines like biology, chemistry, and physics.
7. Discussion Forums: You should think about including discussion forums in your app to encourage student cooperation and communication. Students can use these forums as a place to discuss, ask questions, and share. 

The best e-learning platform by modern educational institutions should make the most out of the IT resources that are accessible in our nation. This will maximise the spread of knowledge and insights and guarantee that every student has a thorough and interesting educational experience.