In the last post, I wrote about factors that will help online education in India. It seems that there has been frenzied activity in online education space in last few months. I will evaluate these websites in this post.
I browsed through google and found following online education websites. This set might not be comprehensive set but should give you an idea about this space. These websites are:
| Website | Business Model | How do they make money | Verdict |
| 24×7guru.com | Provides online assessment platform for students studying from class X to class X. Students can take online diagnostic and assessment test in science and maths and evaluate their progress. Assessment tests understanding of the student about a particular subject. Currently website offers tests for CBSE, ICSE and few state boards. | Website uses a subscription based model where students have to take a subscription to use online assessment platform. Subscription fee for a year is in between Rs. 1000 to Rs. 1500. | A great business model as this does not replace school education but compliments school education. A great idea and I am positive about this website. |
| extramarks.com | Provides online lectures, quizzes, ask an expert and social networks for students. Students can choose one or more options. You can use any service by spending few points. Students can also earn points by answering questions. Syllabus is based on NCERT. | Website sells points and earn money. It also sells online lecture packages. | Pretty complicated website without focus. They tried to build everything from giving online lectures to build social networks.This website will compete with schools, coaching centers and social networks. Social network idea where students can answer questions and earn points might catch up. I am pessimistic about the future of this initiative. |
| Learninghour.com | Provides online tutoring in certain subjects for CBSE, ICSE and few state boards. One can take 12 hourly, 36 hourly packages and yearly packages. Online tutoring lessons are recorded and students can use these lessons later. | Students pay for the hourly packages. For example: 10 tutoring sessions for class X -maths will cost Rs. 3202. | I liked the website. Focus is on online tutoring. They will compete with the schools so if a parent is not satisfied with the school or city does not have good schools then students can take these services. |
| tutorvista.com | I tried tutorvista.co.in but could not get India specific answers | ||
| egurucool.com | Provides online reading material, simulated tests in maths/science for NCERT boards | You have to pay according to the course you pick up. For example: XII- Maths will cost you around Rs. 6067.44 | I am not very enthusiastic about this website as you can download a lot of NCERT content free from World Wide Web. |
I see two main hurdles for online initiatives:
1. Non-availability of computer and broadband internet connection in Indian house-holds barring few metropolitan cities in India. It is ironical that most of the non-metro cities do not have good schools so online initiatives can be a big hit in these cities.
2. Reaction of Schools : Not many schools provide online platform but with companies such as http://www.broadllyne.com/, this is not far when schools like DPS (Delhi Public School) or CMS (City Montessori School) come out with online version as they have all the infrastructure with them
I wish best of luck to all online education initiatives.
Filed under: Education, India | 2 Comments
Tags: India, online education
I’d like to add one more name to this list.. its AskIITians.com. Its a group of ex-IITians conducting classes for JEE 09 and JEE 10. This is the largest ever group of ex-IITians working together for a single cause in the educational field ever!
They offer 1 and 2 year RIP courses (Remote Instructional Program)
Emphasis laid on problem solving and doubt clearing, comprehensive study material. Periodic tests would be conducted on the latest JEE pattern, Regular feedbacks & test analysis sessions Home assignments/workbook.
Additional help is provided for XII Board Exams. Practice Mock Test Papers are provided for XII Board Exam. Additional help provided for AIEEE, DCE, and CET etc.
the website mentioned above are extremely good ones. The best thing about thses websites are that a student can be selfdepenedent and can learn a lot because one can get all his doubts resolved. For ex if i talk about Extramarks.com, this website offers you a network zone where you can intract with students and members online and can discuss questions and answers with them and instead of that you get points which one can utilize later apart from this extramarks also provides you with e-tutoring, Boards test papers and Online test papers. I am sure these types of Online study will help the students to prepare in a better way.
Chek out the URL http://www.extramarks.com