Despite the global lockdown and minimal physical interaction, learning never stopped—all thanks to EdTech. As a student, teacher, or even a professional constantly looking to upskill, you undoubtedly need the means to learn at your own pace. That’s what EdTech apps can help you achieve.
The adoption of mobile apps in the realm of education has witnessed a tremendous surge in recent years. According to Statista, in 2021, the global e-learning market was valued at approximately $101 billion; by 2026, it's expected to reach $400 billion. With the Covid-19 pandemic accelerating the need for remote learning solutions, the popularity of educational technology (EdTech) apps has soared.
With over 520,000 EdTech apps on the market, choosing the right one for you can be arduous. We get it. Hopefully, your search is over because we’ve done all the work—so you don’t have to.
In this article, we will provide a background on EdTech apps based on our expertise as one of the top app developers in Los Angeles, share insights on what you should look for in an EdTech app, and then share the 8 of our favorite EdTech apps you should consider trying in 2023.
What is an EdTech app?
EdTech [also called edutech] is an abbreviation of educational technology. It is the use of IT tools and educational material to facilitate learning. As an industry, the whole collection of companies provides computer-aided learning and training.
An EdTech app, on the other hand, is an application or platform that simplifies the learning process. It’s the intersection between education and information technology. EdTech exists in many forms—including in-classroom tablets, Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs), interactive whiteboards, and projection screens.
However, a mobile application takes online learning to the next level, allowing people to teach and learn in any location.
Benefits of EdTech Apps
The increasing popularity of EdTech apps can be attributed to the numerous benefits they offer, such as:
- Personalized learning experiences
- Access to educational resources anytime, anywhere
- Increased engagement through interactive content
- Enhanced collaboration among students and teachers
- Efficient progress tracking and performance analysis
What do users want in an EdTech app?
To ensure the success of an EdTech app, developers must align the app’s functionality and user experience with the expectations and needs of learners and educators. Here are some key features users look for in an EdTech app:
- User-friendly interface
- High-quality, engaging content
- Customization and personalization options
- Effective communication and collaboration tools
- Robust data security and privacy measures
How has EdTech revolutionized learning?
The first and perhaps most prominent benefit of EdTech is 24/7 access to learning. In the past, students and professionals could only learn new skills with the help of their classroom tutors or managers at work. Now, with the influx of EdTech apps into the market, everyone can learn something new in their own time and at their own pace.
Cloud-based EdTech apps allow students to upload homework digitally, collaborate with peers on group projects and deliver results seamlessly. The presence of online learning platforms also helps with creating a personalized learning experience. Most of them allow students to customize their learning paths based on their interests and experience levels.
Overall, EdTech is inclusive to all types of learners. Unlike traditional educational settings that don’t carry everyone along, there’s an EdTech app for aural, visual, kinesthetic, group, and solo learners.
8 best EdTech apps for Learners and Trainers
1. MasterClass
MasterClass offers video-based courses across diverse fields taught by highly successful people in those fields. This educational platform leverages celebrity-led online classes to inspire trust and zeal in learners.
MasterClass offers music, writing, cooking, science, gardening, gaming, and business courses. You can enjoy video lessons, interactive assignments, and class workbooks at your own pace. Another great thing about the MasterClass app is its versatility–auditory learners can forgo the instructional videos and listen to the audio-only versions of their favorite courses, just like an educational podcast!
2. Emeritus
This online learning platform offers learners access to intensive courses designed and taught by industry experts. Its courses include data science and analytics, product design, finance, programming, marketing, business management, business analytics, and entrepreneurship.
Through an immersive and interactive experience, Emeritus aims to make students job-ready. Learners can study individually or join a learning cohort to stay motivated and accountable. With Emeritus, learners gain hard and soft skills that make them stand out in any setting.
3. Duolingo
Duolingo is the first app that comes to mind when you try learning a new language. With over 50 million active users, this educational platform helps people communicate in various native languages, including French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Dutch, and even Japanese!
Duolingo offers lessons that match the learner’s proficiency level and game-like features that make learning fun. This EdTech app is ideal if you love quick learning sessions that fit into your daily routine.
4. Edmodo
Edmodo aims to digitize classroom learning. This social learning network facilitates communication between teachers, students, parents, and colleagues.
Despite being physically absent from class, students can participate in lessons, receive assignments, take quizzes, and get notifications from teachers in this app. Parents can access their children's homework and grades for each term with one click.
This EdTech app has a similar interface to Facebook, so it’s easy for young and adult users to navigate. Edmodo is free for educators.
5. Kahoot!
Kahoot! offers a fun way for students, professionals, and educators to learn and communicate. It makes studying and exam review sessions fun. Kahoot!’s interface is user-friendly and easy on the eye.
Each learning game is called a Kahoot, and learners can use these games to test themselves or challenge friends to a quiz battle. It functions as an interactive and engaging platform where people learn through games.
These games are ideal for people with short attention spans, as competing with friends in learning games can keep them focused.
6. ClassDojo
ClassDojo is a free EdTech app that encourages collaboration and communication among teachers, parents, and students. Although mostly used in primary school settings, it functions more like a social media app, where teachers share updates about students in their class. Parents can log in to assess their children’s progress at school and receive vital information.
Each student has a profile and avatar to which the teacher can assign positive or negative points (also called dojos) during the lesson. Teachers can instantly reward students for performing well on a class project, which spurs healthy competition among students.
7. Khan Academy
Khan Academy is one of the most popular e-learning platforms from the last decade. It offers short video lessons and practice exercises across diverse subjects, including math, chemistry, history, art, biology, computer programming, and economics.
It also provides vital life skills such as financial literacy and internet safety courses. Asides from the great instructional videos, this EdTech app also includes exam prep resources for SAT candidates and free tools to enable teachers to create a better learning experience for their students.
8. Skillshare
Skillshare is an EdTech platform with over 30,000 courses in creative writing, music, web development, animation, business analytics, entrepreneurship, and leadership.
Its most lauded feature, “Learning Paths,” features sequential courses in a specific field. It guides you on the next course to take to attain mastery in your area.
Future Outlook for EdTech Apps
Despite social life returning almost to normal post-pandemic, the demand for EdTech apps remains unchanged. Students, teachers, and other professionals are using these apps to create dynamic learning environments that enable education across distances.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the employment rate for software developers will grow by 26% from 2021 to 2031.
Therefore, we could likely see an increased demand for app developers who will continue building and refining applications for various industries, including education, medicine, travel, banking, and many more.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best app for online learning?
Due to the caliber of tutors and courses they possess, MasterClass and Emeritus are leading the EdTech industry at this time. However, if you want something that feels as tasking as a college degree, instead of short video courses, consider Emeritus.
What is the most affordable EdTech app?
Regarding affordability, Khan Academy is a good option as it’s free. But, if it doesn't suit your needs, Skillshare is a great alternative, as numerous free courses are available.
Which EdTech app offers certificates?
Emeritus offers diploma programs and certificate courses for working professionals curated by some of the world's best institutions and industry leaders. EdTech has been around for decades but has only recently become part of pop culture. For many, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic led to a total turnaround in their teaching and learning patterns.
