And the truth is, it looks like a smart investment. As classrooms become more crowded and teachers become more in demand, using tech to make their jobs more efficient is exactly what the sector needs.

What Does EdTech Mean?

EdTech, or educational technology, means companies, apps, devices and software that help the learning process.

Some examples of EdTech innovations include:

• Online learning platforms like virtual classrooms, ways to give homework online and collaborative learning apps.
• Interactive learning devices, like iPads, smart pens and VR.
• Student management software, to help with grade tracking, progress and attendance.
• Online tutoring platforms, to help students get better 1-1 support.
• Gamified learning, like quizzes, language tests and more.
• AI that can help teachers mark papers and give feedback more easily.

To understand what 2025 might bring for the EdTech sector, we asked the experts.

Here’s what they had to say

Our Experts

• Paul Massey, Co-Founder of rTriibe
• Laura Tristam, Co-Founder at Lumii.me
• Beverly Clarke, MBE and Educational Consultant
• Ben Taylor, CEO of Cassette Group
• James Tweed, CEO of Coracle
• Constance Mantle, CEO at SaveMyExams
• Peter Relan, Chairman of MathGPT.ai and Founder of YouWeb Incubator
• Nicolaas Matthijs, Chief Product Officer at Anthology
• Dmitrij Sosunov, Partner at FirstPick
• Russell Dagleish, Chair and Co-Founder of the Scottish Business Network
• Mariia Markitanova, Co-Founder and CEO at Curada
• Ruslan Davletshin, CTO of Hyperskill

For any questions, comments or features,��please contact us directly.

Paul Massey, Co-Founder of rTriibe

“For teacher recruitment EdTech could be a game changer. It can play a key role in tackling the UK’s teacher shortage and supporting schools struggling to recruit and retain staff. Currently, only 60% of secondary teacher recruitment targets have been met, with subjects like physics filling just 20% of their required posts. This crisis is worsened by heavy workloads, low pay, and stress, which are driving many teachers to leave the profession.

“Digital tools could help by streamlining recruitment processes. Platforms that use AI to match schools with qualified teachers can speed up hiring and reduce administrative burdens on headteachers. Similarly, EdTech could improve access to supply teachers by creating real-time booking systems that quickly connect schools with staff who have pre approved clearance levels needed and that are available.

“For existing teachers, EdTech can reduce workload and stress levels which could boost retention. Automated lesson-planning tools, virtual marking systems, and time-saving classroom management apps can free up teachers to focus on teaching and reduce burnout. Professional development platforms could also offer flexible online training, making it easier for teachers to develop skills while balancing their workload.

“By improving recruitment efficiency and easing the pressures on current staff, EdTech can help address the ongoing teacher shortage while creating better conditions for teachers in the long term.”

Laura Tristam, Co-Founder at Lumii.me

“EdTech in 2025 is set to play an important role in improving mental health and wellbeing in UK schools, in line with Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson’s vision of making happiness and a sense of belonging just as important as academic success. In a recent speech, Phillipson highlighted that helping pupils feel they belong is key to boosting attendance and addressing growing mental health challenges. She called for broader curricula that include arts, sports, and vocational subjects, emphasising that wellbeing is vital for pupils’ overall achievement.

“To support this vision, EdTech tools are likely to focus on creating more inclusive and supportive school environments. AI-powered wellbeing platforms could track pupils’ mental health and provide real-time support. Interactive learning tools might use gamified activities to build emotional resilience, mindfulness, and social connections. For teachers, digital platforms could simplify lesson planning and offer professional development opportunities, helping to reduce burnout and enabling more focus on pupils’ wellbeing.

“This shift in EdTech, alongside Phillipson’s push for changes in educational priorities and teacher retention, marks a significant move towards embedding wellbeing into education. With this approach, schools can create environments where pupils not only attend but also thrive both academically and emotionally so that attendance improves across UK schools.”

Beverly Clarke, MBE and Educational Consultant

“With Education 4.0 in full swing, my edtech predictions for 2025 are that we will see Gen AI being adopted more in the classroom.��

“This will lead to greater conversation, around its usage, perhaps leading to a change in the way we assess what a pupil does or doesn’t know. Additionally, there will be increased use of data and data analysis.�� With data being part of what is driving the digital age, pupils will need to make use of tools that allow them to visualise data and make informed decisions, they will also use that data for real life application.�� Real world uses of tech will come more to the fore, as learners look at solving immediate issues such as the climate crisis and digital poverty.��

“I also see the classroom adapting to be more of a virtual classroom, especially against the backdrop of teacher shortages, with expert teachers from around the world�� and good edtech tools, we will see greater knowledge sharing and those in the classroom will then act as facilitators.�� Continuing on with the changing classroom, we are likely to see more lesson content delivered in Tik Tok Style formats that get straight to the point.”

For any questions, comments or features,��please contact us directly.

Ben Taylor, CEO of Cassette Group

��

“AI: The dominance of AI in EdTech is not expected to slow down in 2025. As the initial shine of the innovation fades and some disillusionment sets in, we will settle into more realistic and practical applications of AI.

“Instead of having this mystical AI bolted onto everything, it will simply become infused and enhance what we are already doing. Due to the cost of development and shortage of AI talent, we expect any real development of AI engines to come from the existing big players. As developers, it’s our job to intelligently apply it to solve existing problems and enhance learning experiences.

“Immersive Learning: As patient care grows more complex, immersive tools will simulate real-world scenarios for health professionals, allowing hands-on practice without patient risks. Essentially, learning by doing increases the speed of learning and knowledge retention.

“Personalised Learning: AI will tailor learning experiences to individual needs, optimising the time healthcare professionals spend on training. This will be crucial as they juggle heavy workloads and mandatory CPD requirements.

“Gamification and Storytelling: Engaging content that incorporates game mechanics and storytelling will enhance learning retention and engagement. An engagement score for content will become a standard metric to measure the effectiveness of educational materials.

“Microlearning and On-Demand Training: Short, focused learning modules that can be accessed on-demand, paused, and picked up again will help healthcare professionals fit training into their busy schedules. This approach supports continuous learning without overwhelming the learner.”

James Tweed, CEO of Coracle

“Covid lockdowns may now feel like a distant bad dream, but one of the most profound memories is that so many students around the world were cut off from access to education. In a world that continues to embrace digital solutions at an accelerating pace, the move to digital education was inevitably accelerated.��

“As we approach 2025, has the promise of the EdTech revolution got more innovation to deliver? Whilst the revolution may have started many years ago, evolution is still happening at pace. In 2025, the team at Coracle will be working on our solutions around providing access to digital learning that builds on our experience of delivering edtech in extreme environments such as prison, where access to the internet is forbidden.��

“What? EdTech without the internet? Imagine a world where you could focus on digital learning, without the distractions of being online. Imagine a world where remote proctoring is done whilst offline, monitored by new AI models and asynchronous connection. Imagine a world where normally disadvantaged learners get a parity of learning experience, despite not having a persistent internet connection. These are the themes for 2025 for the team at Coracle.”

Constance Mantle, CEO, at SaveMyExams

“AI is fast becoming a mainstay within the majority of UK industries, and the education sector is no different. New AI technology is already being implemented in classrooms around the country.����

“The use of these tools is expected to evolve further in 2025, with systems proving particularly effective in providing one-to-one feedback and support, something which educational psychologists have found to be imperative to student success.��

“Benjamin Bloom observed that tutored students outperformed 98% of their peers on average, and AI advancements offer the chance for this service to be more readily available and accessible to a larger pool of students – something key to addressing educational inequalities based on social class.����

“AI can quickly and effectively provide personalised feedback to students, as emerging systems such as SaveMyExams’ Smart Mark incorporates exam-specific feedback to avoid misleading feedback or inaccurate marks.��

“Such technological systems can successfully mimic learner traits, materials, home environments, and teacher influence, replicating the effect of tutoring. When used correctly, AI is able to significantly enhance the learning experience for students, both in and outside the classroom.��

“Experts predict that AI will have a more profoundly positive impact within school-based education in the coming years, with the potential for a big leap in 2025.”����

For any questions, comments or features,��please contact us directly.

Peter Relan, Chairman of MathGPT.ai and Founder of YouWeb Incubator

“In 2025, EdTech will undergo a major shift from standardised learning platforms to truly personalized learning management.

“I expect to see the differentiated AI platforms seamlessly integrating with existing curricula while providing personalized remediation pathways. This evolution will be particularly crucial for institutions facing policy changes, where technology must bridge varying levels of student preparedness without compromising academic standards.

“The next generation of EdTech will also transform from being a supplementary tool to becoming an integral part of the learning ecosystem, fostering unbiased and inclusive learning experiences while enhancing both instructor capabilities and student outcomes. For K-12 schools and higher education institutions alike, this means being able to achieve more ambitious goals while ensuring no student falls behind due to gaps in foundational knowledge.”

Nicolaas Matthijs, Chief Product Officer at Anthology

“Artificial intelligence (AI) is set to remain a transformative force in 2025, reshaping higher education’s academic and administrative landscapes. AI literacy will become a top priority for universities, preparing students to engage critically with the technology that will increasingly influence their careers and daily lives. The focus will be on understanding its capabilities and limitations, including challenges like hallucinations, bias, and concerns around data privacy.

“In conjunction with literacy, universities will also adapt and introduce discipline-specific AI courses, such as tailored programs for fields like medicine, equipping students with tools directly applicable to their careers.

“Universities themselves will also look to AI to reduce time-consuming administrative tasks to allow faculty more time with students.

“Keeping on the tech evolution theme, the introduction of England’s Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE) in September 2025 will further expand the opportunities for individuals seeking ongoing education, and universities will expand their offerings to accommodate. Expect more flexible, career-oriented programmes that cater to adult learners, working professionals, and those looking to reskill.

“In addition to technology, student support services will be prioritised, with a focus on mental health resources, financial counselling, career guidance, and personalised academic advising.”

Dmitrij Sosunov, Partner at FirstPick

“EdTech in 2025 is evolving rapidly, redefining how education is accessed and delivered. Personalized learning is emerging, with platforms adapting to the unique needs and learning speeds of individual students. T

“Artificial intelligence is also enabling the creation and distribution of educational content. Tools that automate material development, grading, and feedback will allow educators to focus more on teaching while providing students with richer, more interactive experiences.

“Another promising development is the introduction of AI-powered educational agents. Acting as virtual tutors or advisors, these systems can guide learners with personalized study plans, offer real-time support, and suggest career-aligned learning pathways. To fully realize EdTech’s potential, the industry will need to prioritize inclusivity, data security, and the seamless integration of technology into traditional and non-traditional learning environments.”

For any questions, comments or features,��please contact us directly.

Russell Dagleish, Chair and Co-Founder of the Scottish Business Network

“In 2025, we will likely see Scotland emerge as a leading edtech hub, underpinned by Scottish Universities in major cities which are home to research and development. These innovators are designing solutions to make education more inclusive and accessible. Personalised learning, driven by AI and augmented reality, is set to redefine how we teach and learn in 2025.��

“Edtech companies in Scotland benefit from the unique investment environment. This was most recently added to by the launch of the Scottish National Investment Bank focused on utilising capital for growth.

“One example is Sumdog, where learning is augmented through gamification to encourage development of mathematics and English language skills for children. This secured £1.4 million from Nesta Impact Investments and the Scottish Investment Bank.

“Another company is SchoolCloud, which solves the problem of managing education activities such as parents’ evenings, clubs, and events, serving over 4,000 schools globally.

“In 2025, and beyond, this investment landscape will establish Scotland as a leading centre for edtech development.”

Mariia Markitanova, Co-Founder and CEO at Curada

“In 2025, EdTech will transform professional education in knowledge-intensive fields like medicine, tackling the challenge of exponentially expanding medical information — now doubling every 73 days compared to every 3.5 years in the 2010s.

“AI-powered toolkits will play a vital role, organising and distilling this flood of information into actionable insights, helping clinicians adopt novel treatments and make informed decisions without being overwhelmed.

“2025 will see the rise of vertical EdTech AI agents, offering focused, specialised education across sub-specialties in diverse fields like medicine. These agents will bridge learning and practice by combining practical training with real-time guidance for immediate application. Practitioners will access case-specific advice while enhancing their expertise through personalised educational programmes on emerging medical innovations.

“Another key opportunity lies in equipping new groups, such as expert patients or “therapy graduates,” an untapped resource in healthcare. By providing these individuals with AI-powered tools to enhance their skills and actively contribute to care, EdTech will foster collaboration between patients and practitioners, creating a motivated and skilled workforce ready to address modern healthcare challenges.

“In 2025, EdTech will surge in professional education, uniting knowledge, practice, and new care actors to redefine healthcare and elevate its delivery to the next level.”

��Ruslan Davletshin, CTO of Hyperskill

“The world is constantly changing, and in the past couple of years, the pace of change has accelerated dramatically due to global events and rapid advancements in AI.

“In 2023 and early 2024, AI was often used as a hammer for every problem. Many products added chat assistants whether they made sense or not. In the latter half of 2024, we began to better understand how AI could be meaningfully applied to education. More thoughtful use cases arrived that genuinely solved problems in learning and teaching. By 2025, I expect this trend to continue and the impact of AI on learning will grow significantly.

“One of the trends where a well-configured AI can make a big impact is personalized learning. Studies show that personalized approaches greatly improve learning outcomes. Another focus is mental well-being, where AI chatbots show promise in helping students manage stress and depression.

“Better technology should enable teachers to manage more students while still giving each one personal attention. Another challenge for educators staying relevant is the growing need for digital literacy.

“For professionals, upskilling and reskilling are vital as the world evolves daily. Besides AI, AR and VR will make training immersive and practical.

“These trends, as well as new technologies, open new opportunities for EdTech in 2025.”

For any questions, comments or features,��please contact us directly.

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Whether you’re trying to keep up a seven-day streak on the language learning app Duolingo, or just trying to improve the ‘strength’ of your LinkedIn profile, the chances are, you’re aware of gamification.

Although delivering a first-class education has been difficult under the unique constraints of the pandemic, technologies that gamify the learning experience have been a great help when it comes to keeping students motivated outside the classroom, even if this hasn’t always been an easy task.

Many people – learners and educators alike – will be keen to return to ‘normal’ learning practices as soon as the effects of the pandemic start to ease off. Given that education traditionally hinges around the physical classroom, this is unsurprising. However, educators and corporate training leaders have nothing to lose and plenty to gain by integrating gamification into their lesson plans going forward.

So –��how can gamification be harnessed effectively in educational settings?
 

Why gamification means motivation

 
It’s important to first assess why gamification technologies, which rely on the use of game design and principles outside of traditional gaming contexts, work so well.

On a very basic level, humans get a kick out of gaming. Research has long proven that playing video games releases dopamine in the brain – a ‘feel good’ chemical, which in turn encourages people to keep on gaming. In educational contexts, learning from behavioural science suggests that using these principles ‘nudges’ users to continue studying keenly, whether this is to earn a virtual currency within an app, or achieve a new level of fluency in a language they are practicing.
 

Implementing gamification in the classroom

 
Obviously, how these technologies are implemented will vary based on the specific educational context; a schoolteacher, for example, will have different learning objectives in mind for their students, compared to a corporate learning leader.

When upskilling employees, a training manager might want to set gamification tasks at the end of each classroom module to consolidate learning, for example. This might take the shape of progressing to different levels on the training platform, as course content and learning materials become more complex.

Elsewhere, in the classroom, students may benefit from flashcard creator apps and quizzes that improve their revising skills. Studies have shown that these can be vital to the knowledge retrieval process and help students to reinforce their learning, even well before modern technology existed, in fact, one summative analysis of over 200 experiments conducted across 70 years, for example, suggests that learners are more likely to recall and learn��new��content��after using these strategies ��, than if��they��were to simply take notes the old-fashioned way.

Not only will students be able to see their progress increase in real terms, but they will also be able to assess how they measure up to their peers, which should encourage some healthy competition. Platforms that encourage peer learning by utilizing leader boards and ‘prizes’ of virtual currencies can be a useful way to keep learners engaged and motivated.

Above all else, these platforms can provide a real sense of fun within the learning process – and who doesn’t need that in times like these?

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Screening with software

The IDL Literacy Screener – from��International Dyslexia Learning Solutions Limited��– is a simple online test that can be taken in around 30 minutes to screen pupils aged 8 and over for dyslexia. It can be used with individuals and groups and can ultimately be an instrumental means of supporting the literacy and development of young children.

Schools interested in the IDL Literacy Screener can find out more about this exciting new product by emailing��hello@idlsgroup.com��or they can complete a ‘Free Trial’ by registering their interest on the��IDL website. Should these schools then decide to roll out the use of the screener, it won’t cost them a penny. This promotional offer for the new tool forms part of its creator’s pledge to lift barriers to learning for all school pupils.
 

Free and easy to use

 
The test is easy to administer and only requires one teacher or teaching assistant to invigilate it. The test contains 11 individual tasks and focuses on the skills needed to understand written and spoken language, specifically:

• Auditory processing
• Visual processing
• Short term memory
• Speed of processing
• Organising and sequencing

 

• Names of letters
• Sounds of letters
• Find the vowels
• Known sequences
• Auditory memory

The screener also uses the customisable colours in the same manner as the existing IDL Literacy programmes, meaning that learners with previously identified issues can read the tests more easily.
 

Improving literacy nationwide

 
Alongside the obvious benefit of being free to use, the screener has the potential to improve the literacy skills of children all over the country. This is because the screener can essentially identify any difficulties a pupil may be having from an early age, meaning they can get the targeted and appropriate support they need during their education.

Speaking about the launch of the IDL Literacy Screener Adrian Gallagher, Head of IDL offered these comments “Our ground-breaking new literacy screener is one of a kind and will provide pupils, teachers and schools with the foundation for intervention and further learning. This new screener is free to all schools, mirroring the groups charitable activity and will ensure that as many children across the globe are recognised and supported on their literacy journey.”

Dyslexia is something that affects around 10% of the UK population, but it need not be a barrier to learning, as there is support available for those that are found to need it. By using tools like the IDL Literacy Screener, schools and education trusts have a fantastic opportunity to benefit thousands of children all over the country without worrying about budgets.

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The research surveyed 1000 parents and 600 primary/elementary teachers across the UK and US.
 

Online Learning Lacks Engagement

 
When asked about the biggest challenges they faced during the pandemic, half of teachers in the UK and US admitted struggling to meet individual needs in the virtual classroom, while over a third (36%) in the UK and almost half (46%) in the US struggled to properly engage children through online resources.

The latter is particularly concerning given an overwhelming majority (over 70%) of parents in both countries said that they had the supporting infrastructure in place for their children to learn remotely. In contrast, almost a third of teachers in the US and nearly a fifth in the UK conceded that they did not.

Nevertheless despite this apparent disconnect, teachers and parents in both the UK and US are unanimous in their view that technology is critical to children’s education, acknowledging its benefits for everything from emotional support and encouragement, to engagement and enjoyment.

Parents in the UK specifically cited problem-solving (78%), creativity (76%) and mental stimulation (58%) as specific priorities for their children’s learning post-pandemic. The results from the US were similar with problem solving and creativity coming out on top at 77% and literacy at 59% respectively.
 

VR Could Be The Future Of Teaching

 
When asked which technologies will shape children’s learning the most in the not-too-distant future, Virtual Reality came out on top for over a third of teachers and more than 60% of parents in both geographies, followed closely by social networking apps and robot programming tools.

Gaming specifically came out as an area that both teachers and parents see as a force for good for holding children’s attention, broadening their imagination and helping with vital motor skills and hand-eye coordination. However, two of teachers’ biggest concerns need to be met for this to become a reality: access to digital tools and upskilling, which more than half are asking for.
 

We know technology has the power to bridge this gap but it requires a concerted effort from educational bodies, government and those with technical know-how to create the classroom of the future – one that will work for every child.”

Teacher and education consultant Camilla Ross, who has worked in both the UK and North America, added: “As teachers and parents alike consider tech for education to be ‘critical’, for engagement we must place play-based learning at the forefront of digitally-enhanced teaching for it to become a normalised classroom resource. The use of virtual reality, for example, will present an untapped educational experience. You can’t downplay the playable dynamic VR can offer or else it will short-change teachers and pupils alike.

“The dominant issue in both the UK and US is the skills gap among teachers and access to tools. There isn’t an overnight solution for this, so we within the education space must continually make our voices heard and campaign for this sorely needed change to level up tech-based teaching – it’s clear that teachers and parents want the same things in order to best support our students.”

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Yet, a skills divide is not only emerging, it’s growing. In the UK, 48% of businesses are recruiting for roles that require hard data skills. Yet almost half (46%) have struggled to find talent over the last two years. While many companies will strive to train their own workers, there is still a lack of confidence in their ability to do so. This shortage of skills and expertise is concerning to leadership, manageers, and employees alike. To aid in the future of learning, let’s explore three types of artificial intelligence (AI) that may help.
 

Automation of Predictable, Routine Tasks

 
Automation of routine tasks has been emerging in online learning platforms for many years. Apps like Duolingo offer lessons and assessments that personalize learning by modeling student outcomes. The app provides endless practice exercises to help participants learn a foreign language, which is also used to inform the algorithms that drive the next set of exercises the learner sees.

Duolingo uses every bit of data collected about each learner to model what they know and how the app can best help them learn down to the individual word. There are nearly limitless ways for the app to inexhaustibly offer new learning elements such as vocabulary, grammar exercises, and other language lessons. This approach is not limited to the study of languages. It is also being applied to subjects such as math, science, and coding. Whatever the subject, automated systems can be used to relieve instructors from having to develop routine exercises and grade assignments. While this type of automation has been part of online learning for a while, AI methods and the broad availability of learner data has enabled them to become more sophisticated and they can now offer students truly personalized experiences.
 

Generating Novel Insights Through Data

 
Massive collections of data are generated when learners interact with learning systems. This is increasingly being used to understand how students learn and provide real-time feedback to improve the learning experience and drive better outcomes. Previously, learner data was almost considered a burden to schools and administrators; now, it is being used to create new business value for educational institutions while delivering meaningful insights to the learner. The sheer volume of data presents opportunities — such data can be used to model how students interact with content, instructors, and peers.

In colleges and universities, for example, student retention is a huge issue. Schools are increasingly using their new sources of data and predictive analytics to optimize performance and target students who might need more support. Generating novel insights through data is another way AI is used in educational settings that will be increasingly beneficial in the future.
 

Helping Students Connect

 
Perhaps the most interesting way that AI is being used to enhance learning involves helping people become part of online learning communities. This emergent area of development has enormous potential to change the landscape of learning. When we move from physical to online learning experiences, we often lose the social element of an educational environment — whether we’re talking about K12 or business schools.

All learning is social. So, what happens when you take away peers and peer interaction? Having people do everything individually means that learners never benefit from new and novel ways of thinking. Even with mostly in-person learning, online communities can be used to enhance and extend peer-to-peer interactions. Human-centered AIs can be used to put students into affinity groups, provide feedback about peer interactions, foster collaboration, and create new connections.

With these types of data, we can learn how people connect and communicate, model these interactions, and provide students with information about each other and themselves.

In summary, automation, predictive analytics, and human-centered AIs are being used to enhance online learning experiences. Education communities must seize these new technologies in order to develop a digitally skilled workforce — now and in the future.

 
 
Written by Beth Porter, President, COO & Co-founder, Esme Learning
 

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One area where this is especially true is in early childhood development and educational technology (EdTech). When the world went into lockdown, UNESCO estimated that closures to schools and learning facilities affected 90% of the world’s student population. Students, teachers and parents had to transition quickly to the sudden shift away from the classroom. The result was an acceleration in demand for innovative e-learning technologies.
 

Online learning became key

 
Turning adversity into opportunity, online learning platforms stepped up to deliver efficient solutions for this generation of students impacted by COVID-19. Poland-based e-learning platform, Brainly, saw its monthly user base surge to 350 million in 2020, a staggering increase from 150 million the previous year. A popular peer-to-peer network, Brainly offered students, parents and teachers a platform to engage with one another as schools around the world operated remotely.

Austria-headquartered GoStudent became Europe’s first EdTech unicorn in June 2021 after raising a EUR 205 million-funding round as it aims to become the world’s number one online school. These startups benefitted from having developed scalable, ready to implement business models that required little adaption once lockdowns took effect.

The EdTech boom has undoubtedly brought about a host of benefits including customised learning, easy access to resources, an improved ability to track student progress and more.
 

But, as countries emerge from lockdowns, will we be able to sustain the adoption of online learning and childhood development technologies?

 
I see positive signs. Even before the pandemic, early childhood development technologies were already gaining significant traction, and they certainly proved their mettle during lockdowns. In Finland, virtual learning environments were and continue to be widely used, supported by a range of the latest digital tools and simulators that aid with projects, assignments, testing and communication. In Kenya, where radio, education television and online channels have been used to enhance learning since March 2020, Google’s Loon Balloons are carrying 4G base stations across the country to ensure equitable internet access.

Championing e-learning technologies may be one of the best socio-economic investments that a country can make. According to research by Nobel Prize-winning economist James Heckman, investing in early childhood produces the greatest returns in human capital, resulting in a strong future workforce and enhanced economic competitiveness.
 

The future of EdTech

 
The global EdTech market has been projected to reach USD 40 billion globally by 2022 but, in our view, this can only be achieved through closer partnership between the private and public sectors. Companies bring to the table unbridled innovation, efficiency and ambition, while the government provides the infrastructure and support that determines whether they succeed.

Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has invested strategically in building an enabling environment for technology startups and innovators in this sector. This ecosystem ensures that companies have the necessary tools to imagine innovations for the broader benefit of society.

The widespread support from across the ecosystem has resulted in several standout homegrown or UAE-nurtured startups emerging in this space: Alef Education, a leading K-12 education technology company; Lamsa, which develops educational, linguistic and creative thinking skills; and Teacherly, a planning and collaboration platform for teachers.

These companies experienced exponential growth since the pandemic disrupted learning for billions globally. The explosion of novel early childhood development ideas and solutions in Abu Dhabi is being led by forward-looking startups with the support of an innovation-focused ecosystem.

Looking ahead, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) believes that resilience, environmental sustainability and inclusiveness will become more prominent objectives on global policy agendas. Therefore, investments in science, technology and innovation will intensify. This will be an opportunity for startups to step up.

In Abu Dhabi, the government continues to sow into the success of innovative EdTech startups. One of the most exciting ways we are providing support is via the Anjal Z programme, which empowers startups to address early childhood development challenges through innovation and technology. The programme is rolled out in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office and the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority.

The inaugural cohort comprised global entrepreneurs and startups that were invited to localise their solutions for Abu Dhabi and take their products to a bigger market – because these types of challenges are global in nature. Building on the programme’s success, we are recruiting a second cohort of startups to take up the mantle of progressing solutions for the sector.

Advancements in childhood development technology and EdTech can be beneficial here in the UAE, but this type of technology is not constrained by borders and can be used anywhere. Innovation holds the key to solving many global issues. In Abu Dhabi, we are developing solutions that are locally relevant and globally exportable. We want to empower the bold ideas and pioneering companies paving the way for a brighter tomorrow both at home and abroad.

Written by��H.E. Mohammed Ali Al Shorafa, Chairman, Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development

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According to the OECD Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), almost a third of Europe’s 60 million pupils feel abandoned by the traditional school system. The rigidity of the school system, slow-to-adapt curricula, and underpaid, overworked teachers are realities that contribute to many students feeling left behind. And with tutors charging anywhere from €20 to €70 per hour, extra help is out of reach for many families. As a result, students lose the passion for learning, with consequences for their chances of success at school as well as in their future work life.

By giving elite educators a digital platform that was purpose-built for student engagement, Memby aims to ignite a passion for learning in their students. The startup places a particular emphasis on finding tutors who are not only experts in their fields but can also chart measurable student engagement in their courses. The technology identifies and rewards the educators who are able to connect with students, and, thanks to their proprietary digital platform, Memby is able to aggregate and scale this impact on a national stage.

The startup’s approach to learning relies on live group sessions. Students can ask questions in real time, participate in group discussions and test their knowledge after the class is over. By using tools that continuously test the class participants’ understanding and actively track student engagement, tutors can easily improve their delivery based on the feedback they receive from their groups.

“The problem with most tutoring experiences is the cramming and mechanical memorisation approach, which might help a pupil raise their marks, but only in the short term. In the long term, what a student needs to achieve is motivation, inspiration and guidance. Only a tutor who is passionate about both their subject and teaching itself can turn these lights on,” said Eimantas Bekėža, co-founder and CEO of Memby.

“Everyone in education is well aware of the need for quality teachers, and we have built a technology that excels at enabling superstar educators and scaling their talents to the biggest stage possible,” he continued.

Memby’s first targets for expansion are Greece and Poland, two markets with a very high demand for extracurricular tutoring. Greece, for example, has a larger market for tutoring than Germany, despite having a population eight times smaller. Operations are underway in both countries, with local foundation EdTech Poland chosen as a partner there and a learning lab being built out in Greece for students affected by wildfires afflicting the country. Memby is currently shoring up its faculty of all-star tutors in both countries and hopes to be fully operational in time for the upcoming school year. Memby also plans on expanding to Italy and Slovakia in the second half of 2022.

“Memby attracted 3000 students in its first half year of operations in Lithuania, and 65% of those students signed up for multiple courses after their first courses were finished. This illustrated how Memby’s combination of low cost for students plus high pay for tutors is finding quick traction in markets that need these services,” said Andris K. Berzins, Managing Partner at Change Ventures. “[Co-founder] Eimantas is an educator himself, so we also appreciated that this venture had heart and experience behind it, together with the business vision.”

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Here are the key reasons why EdTech investments are a smart choice.

Digital learning and entertainment are merging

Digitization, combined with video and gamification, is developing rapidly to deliver new and engaging user experiences that merge learning with entertainment. Companies that make learning interactive, fun, and personalized for students will be the winners in the EdTech race.

Enhancing student engagement is a primary concern for educators

This increased focus has led to the rise of many EdTech companies to deliver more innovative and effective ways to teach students through gamification, artificial intelligence (AI) skills-based assessment, and personalized learning experiences.

More teachers are seeking remote career opportunities

The desire for educators to teach remotely has made EdTech companies very attractive for these job seekers. As a result, EdTech companies are able to attract and retain highly qualified teachers.

Globalization enables education opportunities, particularly within the language learning sector

Without geographical boundaries, EdTech companies are now connecting students and educators all over the world. This has been an especially important driver for the growth of the English as a Second Language (ESL) learning market that serves non-native English language learners. According to J’Son & Partners, this segment of the EdTech market will reach $10 billion globally by the end of this year.

After-pandemic development

The pandemic has propelled exponential growth of the EdTech industry. In 2021, EdTech reached a record 5% of the global education market, growing to $268 billion. However, this dynamic growth will continue.

New users have become reliant on online education platforms after increased reliance on them during self-isolation. As we continue to embrace hybrid-learning models, the demand for online education will keep growing. In fact, its��advantages have proven to be so attractive that it is hardly possible to imagine the future of education without online learning. In fact, HolonIQ forecasts that by 2025, the global EdTech market will reach $404 billion.

Language learning is a segment of the EdTech market worth following

The language learning segment accounts for 21% of the global EdTech market with significant growth potential. Studies show that knowing a foreign language improves a person’s lifetime earnings and career growth.

According to the research of the Higher School of Economics in Russia in 2019, knowledge of a foreign language increases an employee’s income by an average of 11% in Austria and Russia and almost 39% in Spain. Additionally, foreign language skills contribute to lower unemployment rates. For migrants who speak the language of their host country, income increased by 5-35%, according to a study performed in seven developed countries.

For these reasons, the future of EdTech is bright and worthy of consideration for tech investors.

Written by Max Azarov, CEO and co-founder at , an online education platform for English as a second language (ESL) children around the world to master English.

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Through an innovative combination of public crowdfunding and private investment, coding bootcamps provider, HyperionDev, has raised over £2,5m in an edtech Series A fundraiser.

This combined funding strategy attracted over 1,500 investors from more than 20 countries, culminating in one of the largest ever edtech Series A crowdfunded rounds. HyperionDev’s public investment crowdfund on crowd investment platform CrowdCube was particularly successful: from its original goal of raising £750,000 in 31 days, the company was swarmed with public interest, surpassing its target in just 5 days. Within 14 days, HyperionDev’s campaign raised £1,866,123.

Founder and CEO of HyperionDev, Riaz Moola, said: “This incredible milestone will directly benefit thousands of students across the globe who are looking for an accessible and affordable way to learn job-ready, practical developer skills in months rather than years. In the past 12 weeks, we’ve welcomed over 1,500 new stakeholders. We believe that our coding bootcamps are the best way to close the growing global tech skills gap, and with this wave of support we are one step closer to fulfilling our mission in the US and UK markets.”

The HyperionDev Series A milestone will mark the next stage of its planned expansion into UK and US markets on the back of the company’s success in Africa, including 640% revenue growth since 2018, a 254% growth in active users during lockdown, and more than 100,000 student registrations.

This fundraising success will also directly enable over £175,000 in full coding bootcamp scholarships for deserving students. In addition, the campaign included investor scholarships and investor awards to the value of £700,000, with new stakeholders donating free bootcamps and discounted courses to students in need.

Moola continues: “This has been our biggest campaign to date. The reaped rewards will allow us to give back over £175 000 million in full coding bootcamp scholarships for students in need. What’s been particularly great is our investors’ generosity and belief in our vision for accessible education. These investors were promised a reward of a free or heavily discounted bootcamp with their investment; many of them have chosen to donate their bootcamp reward to students.”

The increasing inaccessibility and high cost of university bodes well for the edtech sector and HyperionDev’s future, which continues to dominate the education alternatives sector. Today, the global tech education & assessments market is estimated to be valued at around £217 billion.

Moola concludes: “I strongly believe that accessible tech education is the future of social upliftment and mobility for thousands of people across the globe. Our focus on close mentorship and developing practical, job-ready skills to get students ready for real developer work in months rather than years proves that people are hungry for a world-class education that helps them build their future, without having to sacrifice years of study or spend thousands of dollars to do so. We are thrilled to see that this initiative has raised the bar, bringing us one step closer to closing the global tech skills gap for good.”

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Website: https://www.guildeducation.com/

Founder(s): Rachel Carlson (CEO) and Britt Stich

About Guild Education

Founded in 2015, Guild Education is on a mission to unlock opportunity for America’s workforce through education and upskilling, with a double bottom-line business model that does well by doing good.��

Guild works with leading Fortune 1000 employers such as The Walt Disney Company, Walmart, Discover, and Lowe’s to transform their education & upskilling programs through Guild’s technology platform, payments system and learning marketplace. By partnering with Fortune 1000 companies, employees at those companies can access Guild’s dynamic learning marketplace of universities and academic providers, which includes schools like SNHU, Purdue Global University, Paul Quinn College and others, enrolling in programs from high school completion, to skilled trades, to bachelor’s and master’s degrees.

Guild Education also provides personalised coaching for working adults to support their academic journey from enrolment all the way through graduation.

Guild is a certified B-Corp and has helped students avoid more than half a billion dollars of student debt, the second largest category of consumer debt. Guild serves working learners from all 50 states, including 54% who are students of colour and 56% who are female. All of these efforts landed partnerships with some of the top employers in the country – including Walmart, Chipotle, and most recently Waste Management. Guild just completed their series E funding round of $150 million with a valuation of just under $4 billion.

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