Is Remote Learning Top of the Class in 2021?

According to a new report by Global Market Insights Inc. by 2027 eLearning market size is set to surpass USD 1 trillion.

A Rootstrap study showed an average increase for EdTech companies in organic traffic of 233.91%, engagement of 188.56%, sign-ups of 290.55% and revenue of 335.08% for the period of March to July 2020, compared to March to July 2019.

With the COVID-19 pandemic still present towards the end of 2021, demand for remote education still remains high. Fastest growing EdTech apps in 2021 include Khan Academy, edX, Duolingo and Masterclass.

Factors Driving Remote Learning

Remote learning app and service developers can remain competitive by staying ahead of eLearning trends and knowing how to apply them.

• Availability, 5G and mobile usage – over 5 billion people worldwide own mobile devices – a number that is rapidly increasing. Electronic devices such as smartphones, are also no longer considered as ‘distractors’ from the classroom, but as a means of accessing new ways of learning, previously restricted to in-person lectures or classrooms
• Individualised & data-driven learning – advanced EdTech companies use AI and data collection to identify the strengths and weaknesses of individual students, as well as features such as gamification
• Choice & demand driving innovation – HolonIQ reported a global adoption of 3 to 5 years’ worth of technology in 12 months. The same report showed $10 billion of EdTech investment in the first half of 2021 alone

Benefits of eLearning

• The convenience of online learning is generally preferred by students and corporate education programs, with 90% of corporations using online learning for employee education 
• This flexibility allows students to learn at their own pace and has been shown to help students retain between 25% and 60% more information. It’s also great for those who do not wish to move away from home to study, or those who may be unable to attend class due to illness etc.
• A recent survey from Digital Learning Pulse suggests that remote learning during the pandemic has left students with a positive attitude toward online and hybrid courses –  49% who are enrolled in online classes plan to continue, even after their campuses return to in-person coursework
• Remote learning gives educators a digital toolbox – ranging from mobile devices to virtual learning systems and online courses

Hesitations Towards Remote Learning

• Digital Learning Pulse found that only 33% of higher learning administrators say they’ll continue offering remote learning options post-pandemic
• However, it’s important to note that while educators might not have been ready for digital transformations, students most likely were – in the US alone, 95% of students have access to a smartphone
• Digital divide – those at private schools are twice as likely to take remote lessons than those at state schools
• Company interests VS public interests – there is a view that schools should be “more about what the public wants and not what edTech companies want them to look like”

Remote Learning by Region

Asia Pacific government initiatives are driving the adoption of digital education, with the Asia Pacific eLearning market expected “to achieve more than 26% CAGR through 2027.”

In the US, eLearning market revenue is being driven by leading companies such as Google LLC, Microsoft and Amazon who aim to improve employee “L&D practices with immersive and engaging in-person video experiences”, in a cost effective way.

Will Remote Learning Be Here to Stay Post Pandemic?

eLearning apps and remote learning services are appealing because they are cost-effective and convenient. When considering the future of remote learning there is no one-size-fits-all solution. What works for one individual, company, or classroom may be completely different from the requirements of another. 

eLearning platforms have learnt to adapt during the pandemic. The unfamiliarity of remote learning is gone, and a focus on hybrid or blended learning has taken its place. Combining the best aspects of both in-person and remote learning and adapting them alongside relevant technologies, to give students and educators the choice and flexibility of today’s modern world.

Online learning will inevitably find new audiences if considerations are formed around preferred user experiences and advancing user needs. When it comes to mobile payments, carrier billing offers unrivalled convenience with a simple and seamless user experience that can only make eLearning more accessible.

Contact SLA Digital today to add carrier billing to your remote learning app or service.