Schools and universities can provide a broader picture of learning by using mobile e-learning apps. The most recent smartphone apps incorporate cutting-edge technologies such as augmented reality and virtual reality. Students no longer need to memorise facts; instead, they can just explore a story within the app. Users can have a variety of experiences thanks to technology, which is especially true in the education field. Companies will increasingly choose to invest in educational solutions as the e-learning industry expands in popularity, therefore there’s no better time than now to grasp the fundamentals of Edtech app development.
This blog post will cover the fundamentals of Edtech app development, such as must-have features, application kinds, cross-platform app development, and monetization tactics, and how you can use them to hire the right Edtech app development company.
Types of e-learning apps
Before you begin the mobile app development process, you must first decide what type of website you want to build. Educational platforms are frequently divided into types based on learning methods and target audiences. Of course, app development companies categorize them into the following subtypes:
1.Apps by learning methods
This gives pupils the freedom to choose their desired method of education. There are interactive platforms featuring games, video tutorials, and other cross-platform features. Some mobile app development companies also provide group education for those who want to study alongside their friends or meet new people.
- Computer-managed learning (CML) and computer-assisted instruction (CAI)
Computer-assisted learning (CML) refers to the use of computers to organise and access information. These systems have databases with the content that students require for their study. To improve the learning process, CAI uses software in conjunction with traditional teaching methods, incorporating multimedia such as video, images, and text.
- Synchronous online learning and asynchronous online learning
Even though they might live in different countries, mobile app development enables synchronous online learning, allowing a group of students to study together. Video calls and online conversations are widespread in real-time education, and platforms like Zoom and Google Hangouts are often used. Asynchronous learning, on the other hand, refers to individual education at different times and locations, followed by a gathering of learners to discuss their accomplishments and outcomes. This type of instruction allows for more flexibility and the creation of a comfortable, personalised schedule.
- Fixed and adaptive e-learning
Fixed education refers to the fact that the platform does not provide students with individually tailored learning paths; instead, all study materials are produced in advance. For adaptive e-learning, as the name implies, app development companies keep provision to adjust and redesign content based on the preferences of the users.
- Interactive online learning
Because interactive online education allows students and tutors to communicate in real-time, it’s simple to make modifications to learning programs and teaching techniques. During the pandemic, real-time classroom sessions have become a routine. Many mobile app development companies launched m-learning platforms and generated huge ROI.
2.Apps by the target audience
Of course, educational websites can be classified according to the masses they were created for. The following are the most popular types:
- College/university students (e.g. Coursera, Udemy)
- Kids and tutors (e.g. Fintoclasses, Whitehat Jr)
- Language learners and teachers (e.g. Study Blue, FluentU)
- Specialists in a specific field (e.g. Unacademy, Adda 247)
Steps to consider during app development
Mobile learning applications are up and trending. Developing an Edtech app is a multi-step process. Below points will be the guiding point for you in your journey of Edtech mobile app development :
1.Validate your Idea
You must follow certain critical stages to produce a successful e-learning app. To assist you in getting started, I’ve included some details below that can help you validate your concept.
Before you begin the app development process, make sure your idea is distinctive and in demand. You might start by looking at what your rivals are doing. Check through their product reviews to see what features customers want and need.
- S stands for Strengths (strong sides of your tech solution)
- W stands for Weaknesses (lacking elements of your application)
- O stands for Opportunity (possible ways you could improve your project)
- T stands for Threats (external threats that may negatively impact your idea)
2.Learn about the target audience
Once again, app development companies must focus on the target users and their requirements. Make an empathy map to rapidly determine the client’s priorities and motives. Another important tool for focusing on the people impacted by the project is a stakeholder map.
It’s critical that you identify your target audience precisely. Pay attention to their age, economic level, interests, way of life, and other important elements that may influence their digital usage patterns or if there is a market need for cross-platform app development.
To figure out who your target market is, ask yourself the following questions:
- What are the objectives of your e-learning app?
- What are the learners’ requirements and their problems?
- What features can help them tackle their issues?
- What are your options for monetizing your solution?
3.Jot down the app features and workflow
Essential features for e-learning programs typically include three user roles: student, tutor, and administrator. As a result, you’ll need to segment functionality by user role.
User roles | Features |
---|---|
Student | Signup and login Course catalog and search bar User profile Course page Payments |
Tutor | Signup and login Student management Test management Course management |
Admin | Payment management Progress dashboard Student management Tutor management Reviews |
You can develop an LMS, or learning management system, to make management easier. An LMS allows you to create, share, and manage numerous training courses. You can always enhance your application with advanced features like animations, reward points, AI-based recommendations, cross-platform applications, push notifications, and more.
4.Create an MVP with the essential features
Your ideas may appear fantastic on paper or in your head, but only a real-world test can confirm them. A mockup, a primitive application, or even a landing page might be used to create a minimal viable product before you begin with the actual app development process. It will assist you in determining the size of the prospective audience and fine-tuning the product before investing too much time and money into a project that will fail.
MVP is a completed product with sufficient customer value and vision to entice early adopters. While early adopters are willing to put up with bugs and broken features, your EdTech product should be bug-free and fully functional before it is released to the public.
Furthermore, investors are more likely to put their faith in ideas that have previously been tested in the market.
5.Develop monetization strategy
You must evaluate your monetization plan in order to make the e-learning app lucrative. There are three common methods for earning money from your application:
- Freemium: Your solution could include both free and premium features. Users must subscribe to a plan in order to enjoy premium features. You can charge a monthly or annual subscription fee for this. You could, for example, charge extra for premium services like offline access, limitless class time, and so on.
- Advertisements: The most common monetisation model is still advertisements. Customers can use your e-learning software for free, but they must watch a brief advertisement before each session. App developers, for example, can offer free access to the course, but users must first watch the advertisements before they can participate.
- Paid apps: The concept is simple: users must pay to download an app from the App Store or Play Market. However, this frequently results in a loss of users. It’s preferable to have a free trial period so that people can feel the benefits of your service before making a purchase.
6.Create an attractive UI/UX design
Your e-learning system should be appealing and simple to use. When building a UI/UX design, it’s equally critical to keep your target audience in mind. If you’re making an educational app for youngsters, for example, you should use more animations and vivid colors. Adults, on the other hand, want simple, user-friendly solutions.
It’s preferable to work with an experienced and competent design team with current industry knowledge throughout this process. Children should learn how to manage life as digital citizens in addition to collaborative efforts and group activities. They must learn to respect one another’s rights and restrictions, as well as maintain open lines of communication with their classmates and teachers. Instant messaging, forum boards, notes sharing platforms, video or audio-conference tools are few viable options that can be explored by the app development company.
What to look for in an Edtech App development company
1.Search for Happy Clients and Good Portfolio
The portfolio is useful for determining technical expertise, project themes, business domains, and other factors. Inquire if the company has worked on a project similar to your company’s requirements in the past. A mobile app development company that has already had hands-on EdTech app development will know the in and outs of the trade. You can get a sense of their experience and skill set by looking at their previous work.
Another crucial component is testimonials. To confirm the project and technologies, you can request a client contact list. Ascertain that the company has worked on the client’s project list that has been provided. A satisfied customer is a good sign that you should go to the following phase. It is better to check out business search portals like Clutch and upCity to see the rating of your future app development partner and read honest client reviews about them.
2.Security of the App Idea
The most serious threat to today’s businesses and entrepreneurs is the leakage of app ideas and concepts. Because of the weak security measures used by mobile app development companies, several low-quality clones have recently appeared in-app marketplaces before the original.
Companies and entrepreneurs must guarantee that the IT firm they hire to design and create their enterprise mobile apps adheres to a set of tight security guidelines. Before it hits the app stores, the app idea and concept must be kept secret. To ensure the confidentiality of the app concept and idea, the development company should be willing to sign a non-disclosure agreement.
3.Effective Delivery Management
Many enterprises and companies report that their development company failed to keep them informed about the status of their mobile app development project. There have been numerous instances where clients have found their finished mobile app to be completely irrelevant to their requirements due to a communication breakdown between them and their development company.
For effective and faultless mobile app development, the organisation must keep its clients informed about the progress of its product at all times. Having regular dialogues about the app development process also guarantees that the final product is delivered on time.
Examine the product development cycle and transparency policy of the company. A crucial role is played by the feedback loop and rapid action in response to error and change requests. Check to see if the program is being developed using an agile methodology, which can aid with speedier development and more transparent communication. A daily or weekly status report is useful for keeping the client informed about the progress of the project.
4.App Designing compatible with market standards
The quality of the user experience (UX) is usually what distinguishes a good app from a terrible one. An excellent user experience is what distinguishes successful apps from those that fail. Today’s mobile users have high expectations for apps, including quick loading times, ease of use, and delight throughout the interaction. If you want your app to be successful, you need to think of UX as more than simply a pretty face. It’s an important part of your product strategy.
Since the EdTech app will have users from all demographics, extra caution should be taken to design an appropriate interface and navigation flow. School-going children should be able to access the app with minimum supervision. Subsequently, if the app is for a specialist course, only relevant recommendations should pop up rather than unrelated jargon.
5.Trusted QA and Testing Measures
If you’re buying a car, you’ll want to take it for a test drive. Use the same approach here and request app access from previous app development projects for testing purposes. You can perform user testing from your own end once with your trusted sources.
Regular interruptions in the operation of mobile apps cause users to lose interest in them. That is why only excellent app design and development methods are insufficient. To ensure that the final product is free of technical faults or defects by the time it reaches the apps stores, development companies must use the most up-to-date manual and automated Quality Assurance and testing measures.
For instance, in a real-time Edtech app, poor voice quality can cause mental fatigue and frustration. While in asynchronous apps picking up where you left off is crucial. Losing the progress of your course will have a bad user experience.
The bottom line
Choosing the services of the best mobile app development company is a significant investment, which is why it is critical to put your money in the correct place. And, before you make an investment, go over the above-mentioned considerations to find the proper firm.
To sum up, the advantages of an on-demand EdTech app in the eLearning market are enormous. Elearning and tutor search apps are becoming increasingly important in schools and educational institutions as the future becomes more digital. If you’ve ever had an Edtech idea that has the potential to take the world by storm, now is the time to fire up the boosters and let it fly.
Brainstorming, development, and launch aren’t the only steps in our EdTech app development process. To facilitate new improvements and features, we provide complete round-the-clock app support and maintenance services. Your eLearning solutions will stay mobile, current, competitive, and profitable using RV Technologies’ app solutions – today and in the future.