Global chip maker Intel estimates the overall tablet demand in Asia Pacific and Japan (APJ) to be 32 percent in 2014 as against 47 percent in 2013, India, Indonesia, Japan and Australia will account for 59 percent of the total demand in the region.
Considering the life of younger generation their life is impossible without Smart Phones, Android Enabled Phones, ePad, iPad, Touch Pads. Education sector in India is techno savvy and seeing huge demand of these products since last few years.
According to latest reports Mobile internet users of India is going to reach around 160 million by March 2015. This is encouraging news for sectors which are dependent on penetration of mobile and internet.
However Education industry has not tapped opportunity of this internet. mobile and other devices boom. Currently education sector of India including schooling, K12, Higher Education lacks sociability due to shortage of quality faculty / skilled human resource. Technology can provide great opportunity to overcome such hurdle and reach out to more number of students.
Tablets have become the vehicle for a new trend in education, where students use handheld devices to interact with courseware. When the iconic iPad was launched, most analysts were of the opinion that this device would remain confined to the luxury segment, primarily because of its high price. But now a wide range of cheaper models have become available. For instance, there is Aakash.
Aakash has been promoted by the Government as a device that can bridge the digital divide across the country. However, it was not a great sucess but it inspired many other players to come up with their low priced tablets. Now the Government has launch its second version of the Aakash tablet, which boasts fbetter hardware features.
According to market reports, the country saw sales of about 475,000 units of media tablets in the last calendar year. Report from research firm Frost & Sullivan says the tablet PC user base in India has increased from 60,000 units in 2010 to 300,000 in 2011. The report further says that overall TabletPC user base is likely to grow at a CAGR of 107 per cent to reach 23.38 million by 2017.
Adoption of tablets in education is likely to grow at fast pace. “In terms of sales, the market size in India is expected to grow to 500,000 units by end of this year. However, even with such high numbers, we will not be reaching even the Five percent of the education space and that is why this is a huge opportunity. Tablet market is set to keep growing at a rapid pace,” informs Abbhishek, CEO, Kloudpad.Heavy bags, personalised learning, interactivity and reservation to the classroom have always been a challenge in conventional classroom learning environment, which is answered by tablet to a large extent. Still, lot more innovations and improvements are required and these will be addressed by upgradation of tablets.
Computerization started with heavy desktops in computer labs and then we had the advent of laptops. Now there is a unified learning wherein desktops,
laptops, tablets and smartphones are playing their role in imparting education. Tablet is usually a 7 to 10 inches form factor and it works on different mobile operating Systems like iOs, Android, and Microsoft Windows. It is now well accepted as platform for interactive and personalized learning.
The teacher can easily explain concepts using the digital whiteboard that is set up in the Tablet PC. Using learning tablets the students can access what was taught in the classroom and can also access the collaborative learning platform for discussions on relevant topics taught in the classroom. Students can have the benefits of studying from the best faculties from across the globe.
Key Players
There are two segments of tablets in the market, one is high end feature rich tablet and other is low cost budget tablets. Suneet Tuli, CEO , Datawind and manufacturer of Aakash one tablet, says, “There are three different segments on how purchasing is done in the Indian education scenario. One is the high end segment, which is providing sophisticated solution, but that portion of the market in this case is small, about 3-4 percent. The big portion is 40-45 that is government segment spending on low cost tablet. Other big market is made out of those people who buy feature rich tablets for children to provide them a support for quality education with access to Internet and good content.”
Here are the companies those have visibility in education space
Apple
Apple offers user-friendly interface and apps for education in iPad and iPhone. iPad apps are expanding the learning experience both inside and outside the classroom. From interactive lessons to study aids to productivity tools, there’s an app for every learner such as English, Maths, Science, Arts , music, creativity and much else.
Asus
Asus has plans to enter into the education segment. Asus designs and manufactures laptops, tablets, desktops, motherboards, and mobile phones, etc.
Across World
AcrossWorld Education, the global SaaS company, offers tablet called ATab at Rs 5000.
Classteacher Learning Systems
Classteacher Learning Systems offers interactive classroom technology offering digital classrooms solutions. Classteacher has launched its latest innovation Classpad for Indian education segment.
Datawind
Datawind is a provider of wireless web access products and services. Datawind has launched Aakash one tablet with the MHRD and offers its tablet under Ubislate series. They develop and license content for education.
Dell
Dell is one of the leading PC manufacturer has its tablet called Streak.Dells tablet can be utilised by the education segment.
Edutor Technologies
Edutor’s Classroom Solution enables schools and coaching Institutes to leverage the power of Tablets in engaging students within the classroom and at home.
eTutor
Sam Pitroda, advisor to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has launched the cloud-based tablet solution for school students called ‘e-tutor tablet’. This can be used by students from Class 1 to 12and price at Rs 7,500
HCL
HCL recently launched its MyEdu tab. Based on Cloud based learning ecosystem, it brings together students, teachers, parents, institutions on an integrated education platform. MyEduTab K12 version is priced at Rs 11, 499 and higher education version priced at R9, 999.
iProf
iProf offers test preparatory content for Entrance Exams. From Engineering to Medical, Civil Services to Management, iProf content is available in multiple formats like lectures in 2D and 3D animations, e-Book and practice tests that can be accessed on any Android powered tablet. The company also provide tablets bundled with its content. Price varies with the content opted.
Micromax Informatics Ltd
Micromax has launched the android based edutainment device- Funbook. Micromax has partnered with Pearson and Everonn to make available relevant content for the students. It is available at a price of Rs 6,499.
Samsung
Samsung is targeting the high end market like Apple. Samsung offers Android based Galaxy Tabs. But at this given point of time, Samsung do not have anything more than a device for the education segment.
KloudPad
KloudPad has launched its Android 4 tablet with 3G connectivity. The compa ny has tie-up with Attano for receiving educational course related content like sample test papers for Medical and Engineering , etc.
Milagrow
Milgrow customises its tablet according to the educational institutes demand. Customisation is possible with the minimum order of 500 tablets.
Telmoco Development Labs Pvt Ltd
Telmoco Development Labs Pvt has come out with a Tablet PC – Attitude Daksha for Rs 5,399.
WishTel
Wishtel has launched its tablets IRA and IRA Thing tablet PCs.
Here are some of the top emerging trends
1. Digital Learning
Digital learning with quality contents, animation, interactive charts are becoming popular in the students, Digital learning is becoming norm for many institutes mainly for Distance Education, Executive Education, Management Development Courses in the areas of Finance, Digital Marketing etc. Even in case of pre-schools it is becoming easier to teach some of the concepts of Science, Mathematics. Digital learning is also going to be enabler for niche courses like English Language Training, Foreign Language Training (German, Chinese, Japanese, Spanish Languages), Soft Skills training.
2. Android App/ Windows App
With most of the younger generation increasingly using Smart Phones, Android/ Windows App market is picking up, similar to US where iPhone Apps are very popular , Indian App market is opening up slowly for Android (Increasing Number of Android/Java Enabled phones). People had started downloading apps which were free related Games, News etc. In coming days usage of paid apps is going to increase and people would find it convenient to buy paid educational apps right from schooling to higher education.
3. ePad/ iPad Based Learning
Cost of the tablet PC is coming down to as low as Rs 3500, so it is becoming affordable for individuals. Many companies have also come up with Tablet PC embedded with educational contents like Lecture Series, Tutorials , Assessments for the exam preparation. This market is mainly open for competitive examinations like IIT JEE, GMAT, GRE etc. Such innovative method reduces cost of education and makes it affordable for everyone including in the rural market.
4. Mobile Phone
With more number of people are using internet form their mobile phones, most of the websites are providing mobile version of the site. With mobile site there is limitation in terms of user interface/ resolution, however it also brings additional opportunity for the organizations to reachout to new customer base. Education sector is still lagging behind in terms of mobile sites and need to be proactive for such initiatives.
5. Interactive Self Assessment
Some of the new products like Eklavvya has enhanced self learning process. In such case individual who is looking to
practicing for objective questions based exams like NEET 2013, MPSC, UPSC, MHTCET etc can use Eklavvya CD based Solution to analyze individual performance. Technology also provides strong and weak areas of the student. So it helps student to focus on weaker areas to work on. Student can appear for N number of exams /Test Series to analyze individual performance over the period of time.Such assessment process is easiest way to understand own performance and benchmark it against selection criteria.
