Emerging technologies have the potential to reshape the educational landscape. From the early stages, when preschool parents search for activities and resources to foster their children’s growth, to K-12 schools adopting technology to improve student outcomes and operational efficiency, the impact of learning tools modern is undeniable. The broader postsecondary landscape, including higher education and workforce development, has also quickly embraced online learning and upskilling opportunities to better engage students and employees remotely.
Navigating this evolving landscape, edtech founders face many challenges in bringing their products to market. Here’s how maintaining a focus on data, analytics, and the responsible use of artificial intelligence can help edtech founders earn the trust of their customers, unlock new opportunities, and positively impact educational outcomes.
The AWS Education Accelerator application is now open. Apply now.
Key milestones in educational innovation
A look at innovations in education over the past few decades shows how much the landscape has adapted and changed. A critical transition occurred in 2002 when 94 percent of public schools gained permanent broadband connections, giving educators and students greater access to rich multimedia content.. This was followed in 2006 by the launch of Amazon Web Services (AWS), which enabled edtech entrepreneurs to build their solutions in the cloud, allowing them to quickly and constantly iterate based on customer needs throughout the academic year.
In 2010, we saw a more intentional focus on learning standards, which gave curriculum innovators the opportunity to develop materials tailored to the depth and rigor of the new standards., avoiding the limitations of obsolete materials. Meanwhile, a trend that began in the 1990s was gaining steam: one-to-one computing. For 2015, technology had become an integral facet of learning.with ubiquitous devices in students’ hands.
Then, in March 2020, schools around the world closed their doors and quickly pivoted to online instruction. Virtual classrooms became the norm. edtech startups have quickly launched and scaled solutions, ranging from mental health support to online proctoring tools. This abrupt transition not only changed the immediate educational landscape but also left its mark on the future of education.
Today, as we navigate the post-pandemic era, the education industry is facing numerous challenges, such as teacher shortages, declining enrollment, and cybersecurity threats. However, this period is also marked by the promise of ai and the opportunity for educational institutions to develop strong partnerships with edtech startups to address these most pressing challenges.
Unique challenges of the educational market
In education, alignment and collaboration are essential as edtech founders develop their go-to-market strategies. Founders must recognize that education sales involves multiple stakeholders, ensuring that diverse perspectives are considered and the best solutions are adopted. They must align their planning with the academic calendar and the different purchasing cycles of the educational market.
Standards for security, compliance and compatibility are essential because they reinforce the commitment to safeguarding student information and ensuring quality solutions. And a recent push for evidence-based solutions with proven effectiveness increases the likelihood of positive implementations.
4 ways to earn trust and unlock new opportunities with institutions
For edtech founders, the future is full of opportunities to reshape and improve the learning experience. By maintaining a focus on data, analytics, and the responsible use of ai, here are four ways founders can address some of the unique challenges in education to earn customer trust and unlock new growth opportunities.
- Privacy and data security. Compliance with privacy laws, such as the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), is non-negotiable. Beyond compliance, data must include strong security measures to protect sensitive information and must be delivered in a way that is actionable and efficient for educators.
- Evidence-based solutions. Educators want evidence of effectiveness. They want to know that what they are investing in delivers the expected results. Additionally, by leveraging data analytics, founders can collaborate closely with educators to refine instructional methodologies, refine product attributes, and improve learning materials.
- Compatibility with existing systems. It is essential that educational technology solutions integrate with existing systems. Adopting standardized data formats and helping to reduce the number of siled systems leads to a more streamlined experience for both students and educators.
- Responsible use of ai. The founders have the exciting task of exploring ai opportunities for educators. As they interact with clients, they must be diligent in their implementations by proactively identifying and addressing biases in the use or interpretation of data to ensure outcomes are fair and equitable for all learners.
The future of education is full of opportunities for edtech founders to transform raw data into actionable insights for educators. Combined with the undeniable potential of ai, edtech founders have an incredible opportunity to partner with educators and help solve some of the most pressing challenges in education.
Apply for the AWS Education Accelerator today
To help accelerate education innovation for edtech companies, AWS has launched the new AWS Education Accelerator. The first cohort focuses on startups that can demonstrate early-stage traction with solutions aimed at enhancing the teaching and learning experience and improving educational outcomes.
AWS Education Accelerator is a 10-week immersive program open to edtech startups from around the world. Applications will be actively accepted until November 17, 2023. This hybrid program will begin with an in-person event at an Amazon office.
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