Nowadays, education is not as tedious as it used to be a few decades ago. The world witnessed the change in the traditional education system during the pandemic itself. As a result, the number of downloads of educational apps was at a significant peak during this period. Interestingly, educational apps at present rank as the third most popular app category on the Apple store. In addition, it holds the second position in the most downloaded category on the play store.
Still, if you are stuck with your query: Is it the right time to make an educational app? What is the cost? Then keep reading, this blog is a guide on education app development.
But, before we move on let’s have a look at some interesting stats from Statista’s research department:
In 2016, the global e-learning market was worth about 165.36 billion U.S. dollars and is anticipated to cross the 243 billion U.S. dollars mark. This growth will happen at a 5.08 percent CAGR in 2022.
The stats indicate that the growth of the Edtech sector is going to be at its peak in the forthcoming future. In short, Edtech startups will have the opportunity to capitalize on the educational sector and use the e-learning concepts for providing different services.
The main reason behind the shift in educational methodology is because of the pandemic. Many institutions across the globe are now promoting e-learning and building specific e-learning software for their curriculum.
Understanding an Educational App
An educational app is a software made to simplify the process of remote learning. It promotes e-learning practices and boosts self-learning.
Further, there is a wide range of applications that are useful for learners. From kids-learning to adult training programs, educational apps cover all of them. This implies that by using emerging technologies along with a learning management system you can provide feasible e-learning solutions.
How much does it cost to make an educational app?
In general, the approximate cost for education app development ranges from $25,000 to $50,000. However, the development cost relies on different factors.
Let’s study each factor briefly.
1. App Complexity
The complexity of the app or the app idea directly affects the development cost. This is mainly because of the difficulty of business logic. These logics include – the number of features, number of integrations, or in-app purchases.
The app idea difficulty also suggests that the educational application will require more research, planning, and an advanced design.
Here is a simple breakdown of types of educational apps with their cost according to the complexity:
Simple Education App: $25,500
Middle Education App: $50, 000
Complex Education App: $75,000
2. Development team
Whenever you form the team for your app development, the cost of the educational app is different. This means if you hire developers from the US then you will probably spend more money in comparison to hiring developers from a different country. For example, a developer in the US charges around $150 /hr and one in India around $20.
3. Type of educational app
It is important to clarify the type of education app you will develop. You are probably wondering why.
In general, there are two types of Edu apps- one is for students and the other for teachers. These app categories further extend to different sub-categories. For instance, Kids (Youtube), Tutors (TutorMe), College student apps (eDX), language learning apps, teaching apps, and so on.
4. OS platform
This is a crucial factor of consideration. Based on the requirements, the development team will either use the Native approach or a Hybrid.
Read more about Native vs Hybrid Mobile App Development
How to make an educational app?
Once you start with educational app development the first thing you do is outline the necessary features. This will help in narrowing down functionalities and make room for some advanced features as well.
Here are some must-have features in your Edu app:
✦ Signup/ Dashboard
Your educational app must have a simple dashboard. A student should easily signup for the application and navigates through the application. In addition, to make the app user-friendly you can include options such as Forgot password or recover id (student id/teacher id).
✦ Search Options and filters
The search option in an educational app will work as a catalog. This means a list of the resources/courses that are available for learning is easily found.
If you include filters alongside the search option then learners can easily find the relevant courses. For example, choose a course by using filters such as price, difficulty level, or language.
✦ Push Notifications
Push notifications come in handy when you have to provide important updates or alerts. In fact, students can easily know their test results without accessing the app directly via a notification.
✦ Payment
At times students may have to pay for certain courses. So, to simplify the transaction process Webbybutter recommends you provide secure payment options such as UPI, credit/debit card, smart wallets, etc.
✦ Recording Lectures
Nowadays, students look to record lectures for revising them again during exams or understanding different concepts again. Not only does it provide students the ease of learning but also reduces their workload as there is no need for taking notes if you can record a faculty’s session.
✦ File Sharing
An education app is perfect if it retains a file-sharing feature. The reason is simple; it helps both teachers and students to share different files pertaining to different topics.
✦ Test
In general, teachers use the same features as students but the test feature is for teachers only. This is because they will prepare or design a test after conducting multiple sessions. Make sure you use a proper system so that tests can easily be conducted. You can also provide some sample tests to familiarize a user with the assessment system.
Now that you are aware of the must-have features let’s explore the technology stack requirements for your Edu app.
✦ Technology stack for educational app development
Using a proper technology stack for app development is crucial, especially when you make an educational app. Because, if you use the wrong technology stack along with project delay the app features may also suffer.
✦ Front-end technology: React
Webbybutter suggests you use react for front-end web development. As in comparison with other technologies, it provides component reusability and is quicker and easy customization.
✦ Back-end technology
Node.js is useful in the back-end while developing the app with React as a front-end technology. It simplifies the development process, especially at the MVP stage.
Further, you have to decide on database tech as well. MongoDB is well-known for its features and one of the database technologies. However, you have to come up with the best feasible/optimized solution so choose your stack wisely.
✦ Cloud services
Managing data via the cloud is a common norm these days. Many companies benefit from AWS’s plans for applications. It is more effective and can operate with various projects at once.
You have the idea of the technology stack now let’s see the steps for the development process of an educational app.
Steps for educational app development
#1 Research and outline the idea
Research step is common while app development. In order to build an exceptional e-learning app, you must conduct thorough research and outline your idea for the custom educational app.
#2 Designing
Your app design should have a simple yet attractive UI. This ensures that the application is user-friendly. A UI/UX designer on your development team will use the research you conduct in step 1 to develop wireframes to outline basic functionalities.
Also read, How to design an app?
#3 App developments
After completion of step 2, the actual development begins. Meaning, that your educational app gets functionalities using front-end and back-end technologies.
Afterward, a testing team goes through a rigorous testing phase and provides various reports. These reports have bugs and errors in the app that need to be resolved.
#4 Deployment of the Educational App
Once your app components are ready you can easily deploy your app. You can deploy your educational app on either the Play Store or App Store.
This concludes the development of the app. But what are the perks of an educational app?
Educational App Benefits
Here are a few benefits of educational apps from students’ perspectives:
✦ Portability and Mobility
Students/learners can easily access educational content from anywhere using any particular device.
✦ Interactive Learning
In comparison to the traditional educational system, an educational app refines the interaction between students and teachers. This is mainly because an individual student does not worry about fellow students while interacting with the teacher.
✦ Resource availability and courses
With the emergence of online educational methodology apps now facilitate 24/7 access to different educational materials and if required teacher assistance as well. In addition, students can also pick their courses at their convenience.
✦ Time-saving
Thanks to e-learning, students now hardly ever commute to their educational institutes. One can simply download class notes, exam material, and so on.
Make your next educational App with Webbybutter
Building an educational app is a tricky process but we hope this blog helped you grasp the fundamentals of the e-learning mobile app development process. If you hire Webbybutter you can have your next e-learning app ready with ease. Contact us for discussing your idea or vision.
