Education technology in COVID pandemic: Remote learning apps

As a result of COVID19, the demand for remote learning platforms has risen significantly. It refers to a revolution in the field of training and education. 

The COVID-19 pandemic has shut down almost all schools and universities, moving their instruction activities into virtual modes and driving the need for software development for distance learning. 

As a result, the use of remote learning apps is growing significantly recently. The considerable support of modern education mobile software allows academic institutions to optimize the teaching and learning activities by gamification, social learning, or AR (augmented reality). There is also a rise in the investment of remote learning platforms or applications globally. And some of them stand out due to their beneficial solutions and productivity. 

Remote learning and online learning - the future of online education 

The lockdown and restriction effort coming from the COVID-19 crisis lead to a transformation in educational activities from class-based learning to remote learning and online learning. In the beginning, educational organizations only use online learning software as temporary solutions to meet the requirements for timely certifications. Those solutions provide lectures in a series of live streaming videos. They’re kind of self-paced courses. However, no interpersonal interactions are there. That’s why they show worse results than direct training classes. 

On the other hand, remote learning apps, or distance education apps, offer both online educational materials and live interactions between teachers and learners. Remote learning software indeed takes online learning to the next level. It helps teachers to create a real classroom environment for every lecture. Executing a remote learning app will also help teachers to control perfectively all learners. Besides, they can handily catch student attention through minigame on a mobile app or a web app. Many reputed academic organizations now use remote learning apps to provide their materials and lectures globally and at the lowest cost. 

Highlighted remote learning platforms 

In this article, we recommend some leading platforms regarding remote learning solutions from well-known app development services. The most suitable remote education software development will depend on different factors, such as the size of classes or organizations, the subjects, and the budgets.

1. Zoom 

Zoom definitely is the most popular remote learning apps during the COVID-19, developed by a startup application development company. Its key functionality is to make video calls of meetings and virtual learning classes. As to participant size, the free version of Zoom allows adding up to 100 members at once. Besides, this remote learning app enables shareable screens, breakout rooms, and smaller group chat during a video call. The whole meeting also can be recorded smoothly to save for yourself or share with anyone who can not attend the class. 

Pricing: Zoom offers any 40-minute calls for free. Upgrade package for a longer conference costs $15 per month.

 

       2. Microsoft Teams 

Microsoft Teams is a kind of remote learning app that creates digital space for an all-inclusive learning hub. All conversations, collaboration, and content for remote learning can happen in only one space of the platform. The security of this online learning software is also a great advantage. It helps to host secure virtual classrooms, simplify the communications between teachers and learners, and easily share notes or assignments. 

Pricing: Microsoft Teams is free for any participant who has an official organization email address. 

       3. Google Classroom 

Google Classroom System is a leading learning management software (LMS). This software development solution offers a unified space for all needed activities for an educational institute, such as lesson schedules, documentation, virtual lectures, online assignments, and administration. Unsurprisingly, Google Classroom comes along with other G Suite tools of Docs, Sheets, Hangouts. This fully-baked LMS allows users to handily hosting and controlling a virtual classroom. 

Pricing: Google Classroom is free for standard G Suite education accounts. For using premium tools, users need to upgrade to a premier plan, G Suite Enterprise for Education. 

        

        4. Blackboard 

Blackboard might be the most popular tool for academic institutions rather than individual use. The higher school information management system facilitates a smooth and friendly digital environment for virtual learning with practical solutions. Blackboard provides a purpose-built platform to make the advanced remote learning experience. Blackboard Intelligence and Blackboard Predict would enhance students keeping on track of their classes and optimize their performance. Whereas, Analytics for Learn feature will help teachers to explore barriers to their students’ success. 

Pricing: Unlike all the above, Blackboard offers a pretty high license fee to access full features. 

The potential market for Remote learning apps

 

According to the report of Future Market Insights, the global market size of digital learning platforms and applications was approximately US$43 billion in 2020. In the following decade, the market compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of remote learning will reach roundly 15% in expectation. North America is currently the most-spending market for remote learning software, which accounts for 30% globally. The US Government planned to deploy the 5G infrastructure that creates a supporting facility for remote learning app development. 

Besides, South Asia is becoming the fastest-growing market with a CAGR of 20.5% by the end of 2030. Australia and New Zealand are among chief markets due to the high demand for education innovations driven by modern technology. The remote learning platform is such a competitive market, especially during the COVID-19 crisis. The leading market players include top app development companies like Microsoft, IBM, Oracle, Adobe, Infor, or SAP. They also target a wide range of users, from teachers and students to tech professionals, architects, and software developers. 

Final words 

Due to the advantages of remote learning software development, the demand for remote learning platforms is relatively high both during and post-pandemic. Besides, with several options, you should consider factors of performance, equity, and user-friendliness to make the best choice for your educational organizations.