To begin with, what is LMS? The term eLearning was publicly used for the first time in 1999. Perhaps nobody knew how convenient the service would get. Learning Management Software has become pretty common in the last few years. They are much more than just a dimension of eLearning.

MOOC refers to Massive Open Online Courses. These courses first became available by institutes like Stanford, MIT and Harvard. Although, as of today 941 universities from across the world are actively engaging in offering MOOC to their students.

Are big universities actually in favour of LMS?

The Stanford professors founded Coursera, after thorough research about the student preferences. It’s important to note that many leading universities including Stanford, Harvard, Yale, MIT, IITs and firms like Google, Microsoft, etc have MOOCs. They were in fact, one of the first universities to experiment with the concept.

Administration and faculty from over 80 institutes offering MOOC were interviewed for a report released by Brown University and Columbia University. The idea behind this was to determine why institutions are offering MOOCs. About 38% of institutions expected LMS to lead to improvements in educational outcomes. Some believed that the improvement would occur within the MOOC format offered by these LMS.

Universities prefer MOOCs for numerous reasons. Coursera and Udacity offer paid degree-granting MOOCs. Although, the majority of the courses are still free and open to everyone. It not only allows them to extend reach and access but also in building a brand. In addition, it brings innovation and research to teaching and learning.

What are the opportunities for entrepreneurs?

When Coursera first came out in 2012, the founders only had one intention in their mind: bringing the best quality education accessible to as many people as they could. Prior to starting the LMS platform, the two founders Andrew Ng and Daphne Koller were professors at Stanford.

In one of her TED Talks, Daphne mentioned the infamous stampede at a South African University, as a result of the higher education crisis. You can learn more about the vision behind Coursera via this video:

Strongly determined towards one cause, making the best courses from the best universities available to students from around the world- for free!

Even today, incidents like the 2019 college admissions bribery scandal highlight everything that is wrong with our current educational system. In such a scenario, LMS is a promising ray of hope. Not just for the students and financially burdened parents but also entrepreneurs. How?

It’s only fair that the revolution that began with Coursera way back in 2012 became a cause for social entrepreneurship. It has been predicted by MarketsandMarkets that by 2023, the worldwide LMS market value will reach $22.4 billion! It is feasible to make the best out of this opportunity, given the market size.

What Are The Features Of An LMS?

LMS can be developed for various institutes and organisations, ranging from but not limited to schools, colleges, community learning centres and corporate setups. A complete framework of LMS comprises of 5 basic modules: content, learning, learner/teacher interface, knowledge interface and evaluation.

If you’re going for the development of an LMS or MOOC, we recommend shortlisting a web/app development IT firm that has enough experience and domain expertise in the industry. EngineerBabu has worked for numerous clients in the past in the EduTech industry.

Take a look at some of our previous work in the LMS domain:

First, WitCircle. An EduTech app for Indian students to crack entrance exams: IIT-JEE, CAT, CLAT, UPSC, and much more!

Second, Uskill: A platform with online training courses for CyberSecurity and Ethical Hacking.

And third, VocabGuru. An app for helping students build their vocabulary skills.

The Total Cost of Development:

An eLearning mobile app can be inclusive of these above-mentioned features. The modules specified above usually form the basic structure. Your next question would definitely be, “How much will all of that cost?“. Allow us to make it clear for you: the cost and time taken for the development of LMS depend on a number of factors.

Let’s shortlist the components that would affect the final prices. The basic pricing plans of our team include

• Web Design
• Wireframe
• Invison App
• Project Management Tool
• Architecture Document, and
• Database Management

We will look after the Server Setup & Deployment, Notifications Management and make it Future proof. In addition, we hand over a complete product with end to end Testing, Security Compliances, Performance and Code Quality Test. EngineerBabu offers our clients with 3 months of free post-development support as well. Your eLearning mobile app will be having handling capabilities for 1 Million users.

The total investment depends on the scope of your application. Although, for the above-mentioned features’ list, initial investment starts with 9 Lakh + Taxes (for PHP, Codeigniter) and 13 Lakh + Taxes (for Angular, Node). Also, it is recommended to go with PHP given the SEO leverage. But there’s no performance difference between both of these.

Interested? Share your ideas with us and do not worry about leaking your precious ideas. We only work with our clients after having signed NDA. Get a free price quotation from us now! 

Simply drop an email at mayank@engineerbabu.com. Cannot wait for an email response? Don’t worry, we’re right here. Click Here

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• How We Created Lebanon’s 1st Mobile App For Service Providers!
• How to Make a Video-Streaming App like Netflix?
• Setting Up An Offshore Development Center In India?

The post A-Z Guide For Developing A MOOC LMS (Like Coursera) appeared first on EngineerBabu Blog.

Earlier, computers were introduced to children by the time they reached grade II or III. And now, we see little toddlers single-handedly opening YouTube to watch their favourite cartoon shows online! The children have become smarter with technology. Today, with apps like Udemy, Coursera, Duolingo, Khan Academy and Udacity , an emerging EduTech Industry has come up.

It is predicted that by 2023, the worldwide LMS market size will reach USD 22.4 billion. Every major school has made it mandatory for the curriculums to be tech-inclusive in its approach. As evident, the traditional classrooms with whiteboards have got replaced with smart classes all across the world. And why wouldn’t they? It has surely made learning more fun and globally inclusive!

The Scope of Growth in the EduTech Industry

The EduTech Industry has grown rapidly and will continue growing in the coming years. By 2020, 98% of small businesses are planning to use LMS to fulfil their learning requirements. Pick any eLearning mobile app and you will find a pool of information distributed across the channel in a simplified, yet detailed manner.

Most of the eLearning mobile apps today will offer real-world projects from the industry experts, 1-on-1 technical mentors, personal career coaches with flexible learning options. With no dependency on anyone for anything, not only can one train themselves on a day to day basis, but also on weekends. Through features like discussion boards and chats, effective online interaction with the mentors is facilitated.

Also, this type of online learning incorporates the latest technology trends like Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, Programming, Autonomous Systems and Cloud Computing.

For the past 16 years, small businesses have increased their use of e-learning by 900%, making online learning as the new normal.

–(SmallBizTrends)

Innumerable resources can be linked in several formats:

Written, audio-visual, pictographic, etc. This is an efficient way of delivering courses online. It provides with convenience and flexibility. Since the resources are available 24/7 from anywhere, web and mobile app-based learning promote active and independent learning. It’s for everyone: part-time students, full-time working employees.

The Must-Have Features for An eLearning Mobile App-

The 4 Modules aka Users of the Learning Management System/eLearning mobile app portal-

This can broadly be divided into 4 categories of users who would be using the eLearning mobile app. It will include the first time visitors, the student or the learner and faculty or the teacher. Lastly, the admin’s portal to manage the entire application or website.

1. Features for the Visitors Section-

Firstly, the main visiting section of your eLearning portal. It is very important to optimize this as per the specific details of the services you will provide. It does not make sense to include everything, just an overview of what the users/subscribers can expect out of this mobile app. For instance, a short summary of the courses offered, along with the certifications would suffice.

Let us now take a look at the features to be integrated into this module-

• Website Landing page and About Us Detail
  • Overview and Team or Faculty details.
• List of courses and Browse courses
• User Registration (Via Email Id & Registration Form)
  • Student & Faculty
• User Login (By Generated Id or Email)
• Services Offered, Search & Filter function
  • By Course, Topics and Training.
• Blogs or Articles
• Check Courses detail
  • Course Index and List of the topic.
• Training & Certifications
  • Process, Topics Detail, Trainer Details and Packages & Time Duration.
• Batch Details (Based on Location)
• Course, Training & Certification Packages
  • Prices according to country zones and Course Duration.
• Mentoring function, Reviews, Daily Updates & Facts
• Event Details, Webinars, Training & Certifications details
• Student Testimonials, Videos Function by Youtube
• Live Classes (followed by user registration & Package)
• Payment Function
• Free Videos & Test function, Request for Demo and Social Media connectivity
• Contact us, Live chat, 3rd party
• Terms & Conditions, Policy

2. Student Panel Features-

Secondly, the part of eLearning Mobile App that would be accessible to the students on your platform. It is very important to decide which criteria of students your mobile app would be catering to. You can either opt for graduates, high school, or elementary kids. Once everything is final, you need to plan out the complexity of the app based on your end-users.

For instance, if the target group of users is elementary kids, you cannot make the application too difficult to use. A minimal set of features would be sufficient. Although, an eLearning platform for Graduates or Post-graduates needs to be detailed. You cannot put everything under one or two categories, right?

Let’s take a look at the features list for this specific module-

• User Login (Via Generated Id or Email Id)
• User Authentication, User Profile Dashboard and Check Student Id
• Profile & Account Management
• View Service Details
  • Courses
    • List of courses, Courses detail, Topics & Index Detail and Search & Filter function.
• Purchase Course
• Daily Updates [News, Events]
• Course Videos, Study Materials
• Ask & Comments Questions, Set Appointment with Faculty and Messaging System
• View Course Status and Request for Demo
• Feedback Function, Ratings & Reviews System
• Blogs & Articles Functions
• Notification Alert (Email or SMS)
• Mentoring and Test Function
  • Grading function
• Check Score Card
• Payment Function {3rd Party}, Contact Us function
• Help & Support, Terms & Conditions, Policies

Recommended Reading:
EngineerBabu Developed An EduTech App For Indian Students (CAT, UPSC, IIT, CLAT)

3. Faculty Panel Features-

Thirdly, the panel for the faculty that would be teaching on your eLearning mobile app. This has to be broadly categorised in accordance with the subjects covered by the application. Although, it has to be kept in mind, that this section of your mobile application is developed in a scalable manner. You never know how many faculty would be registering. Hence, a detailed database system is a must.

Moving ahead, let’s take a look at the features list for this module-

• User Login/ User Authentication
• Faculty Dashboard
  • Student profiles, Attendance, Salary Slips and Daily Updations.
• Profile & Account Management and Check Faculty Id
• Update Expertise Detail and Create Courses
• Add/ Edit /Update / Delete [Content, Images, Video, Audio]
• Check & Review Student Profiles & Details.
• Allot or Assign Task – Students, Check Task Status & Submission
• Upload Study Materials and Live Classes Request, Update details of Classes & Lectures
• Share Information & Details with Students, Messaging System, Live Chat {3rd Party API}
• Check Appointments Detail, Update Details of Course & Classes, Set Timings of Online Courses
• Manage Student Test Function, Check & Update Student Score Card and Set Assignments
• Function for Group Discussion (Create Groups) and Mentoring functions [to student]
• Rating & Reviews, Notification Alerts (Email or SMS) and Request to Admin
  • Payments, Holidays or Leave, Suggestions, Profile Approvals and Help & Support.
• Blogs & Article function
• Manage Training & Certifications, Contact Us

4. Admin Panel Features-

Lastly, the part of the mobile app that will give you the control to overlook everything. It will give you access to manage everything that will be incorporated within. Although it’s necessary to make this customizable as per your app’s scope. Many clients try to make this as personalised as they can. You should too!

Meanwhile, the basic structure with the features would look somehow like this-

• Login System, Overall Control of the portal, Admin Dashboard
• User Request
  • Check Request, Approve User Request (Faculty & Students) and Generate Registration Id.
• Manage Students and Faculties
• Add/Update/Delete user profile & Informations
• Check Detail information of the Users
• Send Message & Notifications and Live Chat {3rd Party}
• Assign rights & access to faculty
• Check User performance and Create Courses
• Add/Edit/Upload/Delete [Content, Study Material, Videos]
• Manage Online Sessions Schedule [Country Wise time]
• Manage Articles & Blogs
• Update & Manage [Course, Training & Certification Details]
• Manage Course Batch Slots
• Manage Feedback, Reviews & Ratings
• Update Notifications [Webinars, Courses, Classes, Events, News & Daily Updates]
• Manage Subscription Plans, Payment System
  • Manage Payment, Check Payment Details (By Students Subscription), Manage Payment as per Country Currency, Check Payment Status, Check Earning Status and Manage Salaries of Faculty.
• Check & Manage Test Function
• Real-Time Notification Alerts, Live Chat, Social Media Connectivity
• Manage Calendar Function and Batch Slots
• Check Total No. of users [Faculty & Students (Total & Asper services)]
• Create & Manage Study Materials
• Manage Task & Appointments
• Messaging System [Student & Faculty]
• Keep Track of [Online Sessions, Classes, Training, Certification Programmes]
• Manage & Update Policies and Terms & Conditions
• Help & Support System

The Cost To Develop An eLearning Mobile App:

The Features, Perks along with the Total Investment

It is now clear that an eLearning mobile app has to be inclusive of the above-mentioned features. The 4 modules will form the basic structure. So, you might be wondering, “How much will all of that cost?“. We’ll make it clear for you. Firstly, the time taken for the development of any mobile app and the cost will depend on a number of factors. Hence, it’s difficult to summarise in one article.

We can shortlist the components that affect pricing. Based on that, it would be easier for you to get an estimate. Whenever a client approaches us for the development of an LMS (Learning Management System) app, we tell them about our basic pricing plans. It includes the Web Design, Wireframe, Invison App, Project Management Tool, Architecture Document and Database Management.

To Sum Up…

Before you choose to go for an eLearning mobile app, make sure that you’ve properly researched and analysed your market. The application will have to be different than all the others that exist in the market. For instance, EngineerBabu has worked with numerous clients from the same domain including WitCircle, Uskill, Education Finder and ATMC University‘s Mobile App. All of these were very different from each other.

We’ve been building awesome scalable products for startups and enterprises since 2014. Take a look at our extended portfolio here. In case you have any great ideas, we’ll be happy to offer a price consultation to you. Reach out to us via mayank@engineerbabu.com

Don’t want to wait for an e-mail response? Just Click Here

Recommended Reading:

• How We Created Lebanon’s 1st Mobile App For Service Providers!
• Setting Up An Offshore Development Center In India?

The post How To Make An eLearning Mobile App Like Khan Academy (Or Udemy) appeared first on EngineerBabu Blog.