The edtech industry is growing. As education technology reaches international boundaries, EdTechXGlobal predicts it to grow annually at 17.0%, reaching to $252 billion by 2020.
Educators are avid users of education technology. Teachers need to improve student engagement as based on the country's current high school dropout rate. Moreover, there is also a decline in America's quality of education. The National Assessment of Educational Progress reports that less than 40 percent of high school graduates are proficient in reading and math, according to Tech.Co.
Stanford University professors created a report regarding the effect of technology to education. The report states that when technology is correctly implemented, it can boost student engagement and increase achievement especially for students at risk, according the the school's official website.
The National Conference of State Legislatures produced a primer that supports how educational technology does improve learning. Some of these involved researches that showed how fourth-grade students who had greater frequency of using technology in editing papers had a greater score in English/language arts test scores.
Here are some companies that are doing their part as partners in changing the current state of education.
DonorsChoose is founded by a former Bronx educator. This literally connects donors with teacher for fund-raising projects that are related to education without passing through public education bureaucracy. It has raised more than $225 million for projects that include building a huge playground. Future projects are being planned for funding by the said startup.
Khan Academy started with simple series of Algebra lessons on YouTube for Salman Khan's niece. Now, this is a mini-encyclopedia with lessons that range from classical music to cryptology. It continues to be a free source of knowledge because of the funding from Bill and Melinda Gates Foundations.
These and other start-up companies can truly change how education can be transformed through education technology.
