Utilizing WebRTC in the Education Industry

“Industry Innovation” is a monthly series that highlights the benefits of implementing Web Real-Time Communications (WebRTC) solutions across different industries. In this article we will focus on the education industry.

As technology advances, it has the tendency to transform the traditional means of interaction. We are seeing this first hand in the education industry. WebRTC has played a big part in extending the reach of the classroom exponentially.  By 2019, it’s estimated that 50% of all higher education classes will be delivered online. Stretching across a vast array of online education applications, we have observed growth in virtual classrooms, online tutoring, language learning, professional & corporate training and expert knowledge exchange. In the foreseeable future, continuous growth is anticipated at an accelerated rate.  Case in point, online programs are attracting students at 10Xs the rate of traditional programs. Seamless real-time chats and video discussions can facilitate peer-to-peer, and educator-to-student(s) exchanges that foster social connections, learning support, feedback or create a space for discussion of concepts and ideas in a way the asynchronous communication cannot. Utilizing the capabilities of technologies such as WebRTC helps companies and organizations provide enhanced collaboration and real-time communications that expand beyond the traditional methods of teaching.  

Chegg & InstaEDU

Chegg specializes in online textbook rentals, homework help, test prep, online tutoring, scholarships and internship matching. It is designed to aid high school and college students  with common issues they face as they matriculate through school, such as needing additional help with course material. In June 2014, Chegg set its eyes on the online tutoring marketplace InstaEDU as a way to expand its portfolio of student services. Chegg acquired InstaEDU, renamed Chegg Tutors, for $30 million in cash. Chegg’s CEO, Dan Rosensweig, says company leadership searched for the right type of tutoring company to add to its ranks for over a year after realizing it was around a $60 billion global market. For more information, view the press release on their blog.

Blackboard & Requestec

Blackboard is a well known learning management system that enables collaborative learning through a set of tools provided in the platform. Blackboard is currently serving over 20 million K-12 students.  In addition, it impressively serviced, 4 out of 5 of the Top 50 Times Higher Education Rankings universities in 2014. In September of 2014, Blackboard foresaw a shift in the education industry and re-strategized.  The company realized that it was time to accommodate the 100 million more learners that would be entering the global higher education system within the next decade. Blackboard recognized that WebRTC was a perfect solution to help reinvent and revitalize their product portfolio, so they acqui-hired the Requestec team to help execute this strategy. For more information, view the press release on PR Newswire.

In Conclusion

As education across all sectors continues to grow to unprecedented levels, technologies such as WebRTC will allow companies, large and small, to provide enhanced tools for communication and collaboration to its users. According to the 2015 International Learning Technology Investment Patterns white paper written by Ambient Insight, global EdTech investments spiked to a record $6.5 billion. Industry growth is expected to continue with new technologies that allow solutions to be more flexible and efficient for its users. We look forward to continuing the tracking of the industry’s growth, the increased reliance on WebRTC capabilities and how companies will incorporate these capabilities into their solutions.

About Blacc Spot Media, Inc.

Blacc Spot Media focuses on Web Real-Time Communications (WebRTC) development across web, mobile, native desktop and telephony implementations. Our team works on strategic projects developing custom applications, enterprise platforms and mobile applications for a wide array of clients. If you are interested developing your own WebRTC product or service, let us know how we can help you.

Take a look at our website for more information (https://www.blaccspotmedia.com) or email us at hi@blaccspot.com.