Forbes predicts the e-learning market share will increase to $325 Billion in 2025. Mobile e-learning will reach $80 billion by 2027, according to Earthweb. The figures are impressive, aren't they? The e-learning industry is expanding rapidly. Educational software development services are becoming increasingly demanded because of several significant benefits of e-learning over traditional education.
If you are interested in developing an e-learning platform like Coursera, now is the ideal time to act. The e-learning sector is growing, and there is still unmet demand. Geniusee is a trusted tech provider. We are always ready to help implement your e-learning ideas. Our developers have extensive expertise and experience in creating all educational platforms and learning management systems. Today we would like to deepen your knowledge in an e-learning platform development that will help you choose the strategy and stipulate core features of your project.
Key Advantages Of E-learning Platforms Compare To Traditional Education
1. Accessibility. Online courses on the Internet provide easier access to education from any device (computer, laptop, tablet, or phone).
2. Business success. Online learning platforms are more cost-effective because everything is done online.
3. Be flexible. You can develop personalized courses for your audience, regardless of their complexity or area of expertise. Online courses are also unconstrained by a schedule, which allows students to learn at their own pace.
4. Reaching the target audience. Anyone with access to the Internet can use online training materials.
E-Learning Platforms Types
Before developing your e-learning platform from scratch, you should decide on its type. Such sites are traditionally divided into six different types:
1. MOOC (MASSIVE OPEN ONLINE COURSES)
They provide various courses from different providers: teachers, professors, universities, governments, community organizations, etc. Well-known platforms like Coursera, Udacity, edX, and Udemy are examples of MOOCs.
2. LMS (LEARNING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM)
It ensures basic functionality for making courses, storing them, managing profiles, and reporting on progress. Currently, more than 700 LMS platforms are available, most of which are focused on business training. Some of them include cutting-edge capabilities that make repurposing content for different audiences easier.
3. OPEN-SOURCE LMS PLATFORMS
They are similar to standard LMS. Only those websites are created by open-source software. Anyone can build an e-learning platform on their basis or adapt one of the courses to specific content and needs. Examples: Moodle, Sakai, Litmos, Claroline, DotLRN,
4. MLMS (MODERN LEARNING MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS)
They are based on the learner experience and focused on online course platform creation algorithms and learning management tools. Some modern LMS sites rely on specific pedagogies. Examples: Motivis, Docebo, NovoEd, and Totara.
5. LMS ECOSYSTEM OR LEARNING MANAGEMENT ECOSYSTEMS
These ecosystems aim to integrate the top "point" solutions for online learning into a unified project. Example: Notre Dame's NeXus platform is built on Open edX.
6. CUSTOM-BUILT LEARNING PLATFORM
Learning platforms are tailored for personalized solutions (courses, training programs). Harvard Business School Online (HBX) is a notable example. It is a platform created for Harvard Business School to give extremely premium business credentials.
E-Learning Platform Essential Features
You should be aware of e-learning platforms’ core features. You should consider at least three user roles when building an e-learning platform:
1) a manager who oversees the website and addresses issues;
2) a teacher or tutor who designs courses and oversees training;
3) a student who learns, receives grades, certificates.
When building a well-performing platform, you should incorporate the following features:
Photo credits: https://geniusee.com/single-blog/how-to-create-e-learning-platform#elearning_platforms_types
How To Build An E-Learning Website
1. Analytics
First, a website owner should identify the target audience and predict possible obstacles. It helps adjust website features to meet users' interests and profit from them. The following question you need to answer:
-
Who is your target audience?
-
What preferences do your clients have?
-
What content will be interesting and beneficial to them?
-
What communication channels do they require?
Do not forget to make a competitor analysis and define the features that will distinguish you and be valuable for customers.
2. Technical Specifications
Errors are unacceptable in this case since they can occur anytime and cause the project to develop very slowly. To avoid errors, specify the project's primary requirements, capabilities, and working methods by analyzing the target audience, competitors, goals, and strategy.
3. Prototyping
You should make a prototype with a thorough layout and navigation for clarity. Too many websites are created without appropriate attention to user-friendliness. The customer must be able to use the product when they first come into contact with it.
4. User Experience
E-learning website UI/UX design should be straightforward and consist of colors that encourage learning and prevent distractions (ads, pop-ups, etc).
5. Layout
The next step is to submit the layout for approval to the client and only then send it to the adaptive layout. It involves translating sketches into HTML and adapting the site image for any browser and device (PC, tablet, smartphone, and other gadgets).
6. Programming
Then, the programmer brings the pictures to life. The designer makes elements, chooses colors, and places texts, catchy slogans, and other content. The next step is to make the elements active
7. Testing
Now it is time to check "works — does not work". During testing, various bugs are identified, and the team immediately fixes them.
8. Technical Support
While launching finished platforms like Coursera, experts give instructions about working with the administration panel and statistics collection services. Then, the owner can publish new content, create pages, place products, collect data for behavioral analytics, and use other functionality of the resource independently.
You can easily enter the Edtech market. However, your product must be accessible and user-friendly to stand out. Due to the rapid growth of the e-learning sector, the number of market participants and the competition rate have increased. Geniusee EdTech Development team, strengthened by deep expertise and various projects in our portfolio, is here to create the best custom e-learning software for you. Don't waste your time. Create an e-learning website and share your knowledge with the whole world.
No comments yet