Shedding Light on the Education Technology Sector
Even in a computer-driven town like Seattle, there are only so many technology headlines to go around. The big software firms usually grab top billing, while the emerging tech sectors and companies – like the education technology sector and Giant Campus – can often find themselves below the fold.
Frank Catalano called attention to this trend of invisibility for Seattle’s niche tech markets in a recent TechFlash post, lauding some emerging education technology players like Giant Campus for developing and delivering cutting-edge education products to customers.
In the article, Seattle’s Invisible Tech Industry, Catalano also highlighted several key factors that are generally keeping education technology companies off the front page, including:
- The complex nature of education and curriculum delivery
- The industry’s less-than-friendly appeal to investors and venture capitalists
- A lack of robust and sustained professional networks
While Catalano is correct that these factors are contributing to the sector’s relative invisibility, the proliferation of online courses in many ways mirrors the transformation seen in post-secondary education over the past decade. And while still in their relative infancy for middle school and high school populations, it is evident that new virtual learning models are gaining acceptance with students, parents, teachers and school administrators.
A recent report from the Innosight Institute reinforced this notion, determining that online courses aren’t just for distance learning anymore. Rather, they concluded that the growth in online learning is taking place in blended learning environments – prominently in schools who supervise online learning along side their traditional classes. Written by education experts Michael Horn and Heather Staker, The Rise of K12 Blended Learning provides an overview of hybrid learning models, and analyzes several market drivers that are encouraging the adoption of online learning.
Also reflecting this widening acceptance is the leap into online learning that some traditional education providers have already made. As one example, Pearson Education recently launched the Pearson Virtual Learning program in coordination with Florida Virtual Schools (FLVS). To their customers, Pearson provides great online courses that FLVS and Giant Campus have created. This partnership opens the door to schools, teachers, and students anywhere taking our STEM, technology, business, and innovation courses.
As an emerging leader in online curriculum development, Giant Campus is a proud member of the burgeoning education technology industry in Seattle. As a group we may not be dominating our local tech headlines, but we are certainly helping students around the world move to the head of the class.
