For the next school year, educational institutions across the country are developing plans that try to address the threat of COVID-19 while also providing an effective learning pathway for students. There are a variety of different strategies being considered by educators and administrators, including fully remote learning, the traditional approach and hybrid models that combine the two.
Edtech companies need to build knowledge of the approaches that the districts, schools and individual professionals they market to plan to follow. They must also consider how the educational platforms and solutions they offer can align with each strategy, to build the most relevant marketing efforts possible and provide a useful product that addresses specific needs.
Fully remote learning
While the decision about learning environments is in a state of flux, some educators, administrators, parents and students believe in a totally digital approach. In Massachusetts, for example, the largest teacher’s union in the state recently advocated for a fully remote learning model, according to MassLive.
While this is just one option for schools, it requires a massive shift in educational strategy. Educators and administrators didn’t have time to address all of unique needs that come with distance learning during the previous school year – they were forced to act in a very short period of time by a major public health concern. The summer break has provided education professionals with more time to develop strategies, but uncertainty about how education will resume in the 2020-2021 school year may have hampered such efforts in many cases.
Edtech organizations should consider how their offerings can address the common issues associated with remote learning, like the lack of a single shared educational space and barriers to completing lab work and similar projects. From there, providers can decide which features to highlight in their marketing efforts and even begin developing new products that specifically address such needs. Virtual learning tools and hybrid approaches for STEAMÂ education, like take-home lab kits supported by technology for instruction and collaboration, are some of the many possible options.
Traditional in-person education
Some schools will likely move forward with a return to a full and regular schedule of in-person learning in the 2020-2021 school year. In these cases, edtech companies can often continue to leverage the existing strategy for their products and marketing collateral, although some unique considerations remain. Providing the best possible education to students who must quarantine – either a few or many – or who fall ill but are healthy enough to participate, is one such consideration. Edtech businesses can position themselves for success by addressing the needs that come along with in-person education during a time when a spike in positive test rates could still close a given school or district.
Hybrid models
A hybrid learning plan can offer valuable in-person time with educators while reducing the number of students inside a school and improving conditions for social distancing. This strategy allows for regular group learning in a traditional setting to supplement digital instruction. Your company can look for ways in which its products can bridge the gap between the in-person and remote learning portions of this model.
Education marketing in rapidly changing times
Businesses geared toward supporting students, educators and administrators need accurate information to effectively market to professionals, schools and districts. Agile’s deep and constantly updated databases provide your organization with accurate, granular information related to school opening dates, contact details and much more. To learn how we can provide valuable intelligence for your marketing plans, get in touch with us today.
