Creating an edtech startup is not an easy feat. And once you’re done, you might think it’s all over, but that’s just where it begins. Once you’ve built an edtech portal, the next order of business is assessing the platform.
Evaluating the platform helps in understanding whether it is built up to the standard. Also, assessing helps in understanding how the users might perceive it. Here are some pointers on how to review an edtech platform. Since there are many factors to check, let’s divide it into two parts.
Functionality
It is one of the most basic yet crucial things startups need to consider while assessing the product. We need to consider how much utility the product is providing its users. Checking the functionality helps in understanding whether it meets the goals you had considered at the beginning of product development.
Some basic functions necessary in an edtech portal are lecture streaming, online tests, and automated attendance. Now, not all edtech platforms may have these features, but if these don’t exist, you can check similar ones.
Accessibility
You can create the best edtech portal there ever was, but it won’t mount to anything if it is not accessible. Accessibility doesn’t just refer to affordability. Instead, it means addressing the key requirements of a variety of users.
The more hassles and limitations there are to using the tool, the it keeps becoming less accessible. For example, if some hi-tech software or equipment is required to properly use the tool, then many users might opt out of it as it isn’t feasible for them. In such scenarios, the startup tends to lose a lot of customer base. And in the end, the company may not earn as much profit as it would have with more accessibility.
Technicality
The basis of any edtech portal is the technical part of it. If there are too many glitches while using the product, then users might be highly encouraged to leave. Having seasoned teachers and experts as part of your team is definitely a must. However, the technical aspect is just as crucial.
If the edtech portal has connectivity issues, software issues, or hardware issues, then educators’ expertise is not helpful in retaining customers. For an effective online learning tool, both the education and technical aspects of it need to be looked after
Ease of Usage
Usually, the users accessing an edtech portal are learners looking to enhance their knowledge. However, if it gets difficult for them to interact with the portal, they will soon find other options to learn. A complex design and difficult-to-navigate website may attract users, but it won’t make them stick with you.
However, when using the edtech tools feels intuitive, it actually provides value to the user. A proper navigation system for the edtech portal is essential. Without it, users might not find what they are looking for or might even reach the wrong pages. It can get frustrating and then can lead to the abandonment of the portal.
So, these are some of the factors based on which you can conduct an assessment for your website. Stay tuned for the rest of them!
Scalability
For an edtech portal, flexibility is important. There can be large classes or small group tasks. And the online tool needs to be able to scale according to the current need of the user. EdTech startups are required to be able to control the size as well as the classroom environment to provide a wonderful experience. Institutes can invest in elastic cloud balancing and auto-scaling architecture.
Synergy
As an edtech platform, can you handle multiple departments smoothly and efficiently? From administration to the actual teaching part, there are many departments in between. And as an online learning tool, it is not that easy to manage all of these at once.
A company can be judged on the basis of how collaborative and integrated it is. Does the portal look like one cohesive unit, or does it look like pages just put together? Is there a unified LMS and SIS? Does it support various education models?
Innovation
The edtech industry is booming, but the competition is tough as well. There are many established brands in this niche, and making space for oneself is quite difficult. Therefore, innovation is the only way.
Innovation is the way to survive in the market. As there are so many players already on the field, how far will doing something that everyone is doing take you? It is what sets startups apart from each other. Now, these innovations can be of any magnitude. Adding a chat feature or introducing cloud and blockchain are examples of innovations.
Mobile-friendly
With online education becoming common and the use of smartphones increasing, having only a web-based platform won’t work. Students are accustomed to accessing learning courses or materials on their phones. And creating a portal that only works well as a web-based application.
Therefore, in this day and age, creating a mobile-friendly design product is quite necessary to improve teaching quality and learning with seamless connectivity.
Data Protection
Data leaks have proven to be a grave business. And therefore, everyone is cautious about how, where, and why their data is used. Usually, users are worried that their personal information or intellectual property is in the wrong hands. Therefore startups need to ensure that there are proper protocols in place to maintain confidentiality with the data.
Usually, startups require students’ and teachers’ information. Hence, it becomes the startup’s utmost priority as users are trusting them with crucial information. They need to be careful while handling the data to avoid any breaches. Therefore, during the assessment, this becomes a mandatory factor.
So, these were the factors to be considered while assessing an edtech platform. Which other aspect do you think needs to be evaluated?