Education as a Service, or EaaS, as the buzzword today, has been around for quite a long time. However, its current potential was unearthed during the testing times of COVID-19 and post that. EdTech, a branch of education as a service concept, has seen growth of a two-fold post-covid. EdTech’s market size is expected to reach about USD 911 billion by 2030. These are the stats for just one branch of Education as a Service umbrella term. EaaS is divided into various subsections that collectively form Education as a Service, an industry.
Education as a Service can easily be mistaken as EdTech only like Udemy, Coursera, BYJU’s, or Unacademy. But, it's a broad term that encapsulates multiple businesses and services. First let’s understand what does EaaS means.
Source:
https://www.psmarketresearch.com/market-analysis/educational-technology-edtech-market
What is Education as a Services (EaaS)?
Education as a Service is a model where education is delivered like a service to the consumers. This service doesn’t always include content delivery. It also includes services that facilitate content delivery and provides a platform to create educational content for educating the users, sometimes on a subscription model. Platforms such as Moodle, Google Classrooms, TalentLMS, and others are perfect examples of such platforms. These platforms can be setup by a company that provides educational app development services.
These platforms or tools allow the EdTech companies and educational institutions to create content, courses, virtual tutors, and other features associated with the educational domain. The EaaS has seen a paradigm shift with the users focusing more towards personalised and customised education.
There are a few ways to think about EaaS:
-
Student-centred learning: EaaS emphasizes meeting the specific needs of each learner. This could involve creating custom learning plans, offering a variety of course formats (online, in-person, blended), and providing ongoing support.
-
**Focus on skills: **EaaS programs are often designed to equip learners with specific, in-demand skills. This is especially relevant in fields like technology, where new skills are constantly emerging.
-
**Accessibility and affordability: ** EaaS can make education more accessible and affordable by offering flexible pricing models and bite-sized learning options.
Types of EaaS platforms
There are several different types of EaaS (Education as a Service) software and platforms available, each catering to different learning needs and styles. Here are some of the most common types:
-
**Learning Management Systems: **These are comprehensive platforms that allow instructors to create and deliver courses online, manage student enrolment and progress, and provide assessment tools. The learning management systems are also coming with educational app development to ensure that the users can stay updated on the go.
-
**Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs): **MOOCs are free or low-cost online courses offered by universities and other institutions around the world. They typically consist of pre-recorded video lectures, along with readings, quizzes, and discussion forums.
-
**Micro-learning platforms: ** These platforms offer short, focused learning modules on a variety of topics. They are a great option for busy learners who want to acquire new skills quickly.
-
**Gamified learning platforms: **These platforms use game mechanics, such as points, badges, and leaderboards, to make learning more engaging and fun. They can be a great way to motivate learners and help them retain information.
Breaking the cross-border boundaries
Education as a Service's biggest advantage has been it’s accessibility to users across borders. It’s amazing to imagine how a person in the remotest village of India can attend a live class from a reputed university in Oxford or elsewhere. This almost impossible scenario has been made possible with just a single click on various educational platforms through EaaS.
EaaS has broken boundaries in various ways. There are multiple aspects included when we talk about how Education as a Service has made the world as a global classroom.
Accessibility
EaaS platforms are often online, removing geographical limitations. Learners anywhere in the world with an internet connection can access courses from prestigious universities, industry experts, or niche specialists, regardless of their location.
Flexibility
EaaS provides learners with the freedom to study at their own pace and on their own schedule. This is particularly beneficial for those in different time zones or with busy work schedules.
Cost-effectiveness
EaaS can be more affordable than traditional education. Many platforms offer tiered subscription models or even free courses, making quality education more accessible to a wider audience.
Specialization
EaaS platforms often cater to specific skill sets and professions. Learners can find courses tailored to their needs, regardless of whether such programs are offered locally.
Not the students but the industry professionals, domain enthusiasts, and other people across the borders are taking advantage of the services offered by various providers throughout the entire Education as a Service ecosystem.
EaaS has attracted entrepreneurs
Citing the need and the importance of education as a service, a lot of players have entered the market to take advantage of the recent and ever-growing surge in the education sector. Specifically, in the EdTech branch of the EaaS umbrella. If we consider India, a lot of many EdTech players have entered the market, which earlier was dominated by some of the offshore agencies, like Udemy or Coursera. Players like BYJU’s, Unacademy, WhiteHatJr, upGrad, and others have revolutionised education. Some work in the full online model, while others have opted for the hybrid model where the lectures are taken offline as per the traditional method, along with the online lectures and sessions.
Custom app development companies and institutions have also started entering into the product-based market for education and have started providing an educational app development service. These companies provide a quick and robust infrastructure to provide a working platform within days. The cost of developing an app like Udemy has decreased dramatically to what it was before.
Conclusion
Education as a Service (EaaS) has not only transformed how we learn, but also shattered the geographical constraints that once limited educational opportunities. As EaaS continues to evolve, we can expect even more innovative platforms and tools that cater to individual needs and learning styles. However, challenges like the digital divide and ensuring quality control across a vast service landscape need to be addressed. By working towards equitable access and robust accreditation systems, we can unlock the full potential of EaaS and create a future where education is truly borderless and personalized for not only the standard K+12 prospects but, for all the learners ranging from enthusiasts, corporates, and all. Any top mobile app development company can provide the services for setting up a platform which serves in Education as a Service industry. Share your idea today.