Experts Byju Yuanfudaotobin Restworld Say Lessons Marketed by Digital Education Platforms Like Byju’s and Yuanfudao Are More an Innovation in Test-prep Delivery Than in Learning Outcomes

Experts Byju Yuanfudaotobin Restworld: The digital education platform boom is creating schools for the masses. A new breed of test-prep delivery system, marketed by companies like Experts Byju Yuanfudaotobin Restworld, are now prepping millions of students to take standardized exams with a blend of videos, animations, and app-based learning.

But many educators say that what these companies offer is nothing but an innovation in test-prep delivery — not in learning outcomes.

“The way we learn is not going to change, but the medium will,” said Arvind Thiruvengadam, a professor at the National Institute of Advanced Studies in Bangalore. Technology may help improve the learning experience for many of those who are challenged by traditional classroom education but digital teaching is not a replacement for teachers, he says.

The idea that technology can make learning fun has been around for a while, and has gained momentum in the past couple of years with the launch of numerous digital education startups across India. Parents and aspiring students alike are drawn to digital platforms, looking for ways to cut the costs of learning and bolster the feel of a classroom.

The result is a blossoming market for test-prep schools that do not offer much more than effective practice.

Byju’s, a company with over 5 million mobile-enabled students, uses technology to provide personalized lessons through videos and audio instructions. The lessons are designed to be entertaining as well as instructional. It’s also one of the most popular corporate brand names in India. Founder Byju Raveendran’s net worth has grown to $2.2 billion since January, making him the richest education entrepreneur in India.

The app includes features like a “learning feed” that encourages students to check in on their progress, as well as a progress-tracking system that allows teachers to monitor how much time students devote to each lesson. The platform is designed for students who may have had trouble keeping up in the classroom or struggled with the traditional lecture-based structure of school education.

“We’ve made learning fun by providing on-demand content and embracing technology,” says a spokesperson for Byju’s, adding that the company also offers one-on-one instruction through tutors. “We also help students develop skills like critical thinking, so they are better prepared for life beyond exams.”

The company has raised $350 million in venture capital financing from investors including Sequoia Capital and Sofina. It is valued at over $2 billion.

Yuanfudao is a test-prep platform that is focused on providing personalized tutoring and mentoring, with an additional focus on digital marketing. Its founder, Jayant Kumar Agrawal, came up with the name Yuanfudao — which roughly translates to “tutoring network — as a nod to the company’s foundational principle of creating an effective learning community.

In a profile in Forbes India last year, Agrawal said his goal was to make learning fun and to make students excel at exam time. According to him, the company is focused on improving exam scores by teaching students to think and not just memorize.

“Yuanfudao’s success is based on the ability of its mentors, who don’t believe in rote learning and have been able to identify a student’s strengths as well as weaknesses,” says a statement from a Yuanfudao spokesperson. “We help students score higher through personalized attention.”

The company raised $1.5 million in funding in 2014. Its total valuation is unclear, but it has raised at least $2 million since inception.

“Our model was inspired by Chinese tutoring, where students are paired up with teachers who are interested in their progress,” says a Yuanfudao spokesperson. “Yuanfudao’s mentors aren’t just good at teaching — they’re experienced professionals who can give insights into the world of work, which is a benefit for young people navigating their job search.