2020 has seen unprecedented growth in Edtech sector with more tech companies coming up with emerging ideas.

For the first time, EdTech is receiving exponential attention and funding. Thanks to the Covid-19 pandemic. The education sector is under rough weather since the outbreak of the contagious disease. Schools, colleges and all other education venues stopped physical classes. However, the virus can't stop the educators from teaching their students. The year 2020 has seen unprecedented growth in Edtech sector with more tech giants coming in with emerging ideas and start-ups finally getting the attention they deserve.

The global Edtech market is a diverse and rapidly growing industry with a large runaway across the business lifecycle from early-stage start-ups to middle-market companies and publicly traded companies. Education industry faced its biggest crisis in 2020. As the traditional education systems closed its door for students and teachers, pencil and notebook way of learning got lost in the school corridor. Whatever educators, students and their families planned for 2020 back in January, became irrelevant in March when WHO declared Covid-19 as a global pandemic. This brought light to the emerging trend, remote learning. Both tech companies and investors saw high potential in the sector and made their moves at the right time. Recently, around 88% of growth has been witnessed in the number of individuals downloading Edtech apps. Even though 2020 was not an easy year, 2021 is expected to be more or less similar. But more developments are expected in the upcoming months. Henceforth, let us go back in time and have a look at big tech decisions and trends that stole the Edtech stage in 2020.

Big changes for Moodle mobile app

April unofficially marked the beginning of the crisis. Lockdowns were implemented in many countries across the globe making tech solution providers find a substitute for physical classes. At that time, Moodle App announced the launch of Moodle App Pro and Moodle App Premium for organizations to be able to access more powerful features for mobile learning. While the app remains free for learners and individuals, organizations can choose the mobile learning plan that best suits their need. The new Moodle app plans were focused on medium and large organizations that use mobile learning extensively. Some of the features of the update are expanded notifications with multimedia previews, more offline courses per device and more custom branding options.

EduBrisk starts classroom to the virtual classroom program

EduBrisk, the emerging brain-friendly educational solution announced that the company will provide a revolutionary education program 'Classroom to Virtual Classroom within the next 24 hours' in May 2020. This leverages the facility to enable schools and freelance teachers to go live within 24 hours. The company began the initiative by taking 30 schools on-board in the mission. The schools will totally go live through the virtual program.

Google announces new tools to boost learning

In August, Google kick-started it's 'Anywhere school 2020 event.' The initiative powers the remote learning process. The company has introduced over 50 classrooms and Meet features. With the latest move, Google Meet users will be able to see all the 49 participants on the screen at the same time. Google also announced that the company will incorporate its digital whiteboard called Jamboard in Google Meet in September. Besides, Google Meet will also get the ability to replace or blur the background in Meet.

Apple updates coding program and resources for educators and students

Apple announced the launch of a new set of tools to help educators teach coding to students from grade school to college. Besides significant enhancements to the Development in Swift and Everyone Can Code Curricula, Apple has also started a new professional learning course for Develop in Swift, available at no cost. In addition, Apple is adding resources for educators and parents to help ensure they have the tools they need to help students learn and grow from anywhere.

Suraasa is upskilling Indian teachers, offering global opportunities

Quality education is one of the top priorities for every government today. To make education accessible and impactful, teachers have to be highly qualified for the job. Suraasa trains teachers in the UK, India and UAE to make them work with both public and private schools. The start-up builds its own courses, working with people who have master's degrees and Ph.Ds in education and have had decades of experience in international teaching and learning.

PlayShifu launches Orboot Dino, an AR globe for dinosaur lovers

Playshifu, an educational toymaker announced the launch of Orboot Dino at CES 2020 that took place in September. This toy, when used with the compatible app using AR, superimposes animals from the prehistoric worlds. The dinosaurs come alive in 3D on scanning the globe with the app. Orboot Dino is compatible with a range of tablets and smartphones and is available on Android and iOS stores.