Growth Factorials

As I reflect on my journey of teaching my two daughters, each with their own unique learning styles, I had some eye-opening realizations. The stark differences between teaching my elder and younger daughters, and the changes in my teaching methods, push me to dig deeper into the complexities of education.

The Story of Two Sisters

Teaching my elder daughter was a walk in the park – she absorbed knowledge effortlessly, diving into our lessons for hours. It made me feel like a teaching prodigy. But everything changed when my younger daughter entered the scene. A brilliant child who was bursting with spontaneity and impatience, she made me work hard. Traditional methods failed, and I had to switch things up, making lessons more interesting and giving her more control. I learned that effective teaching is always changing and adapting to your student’s learning needs and style.

Learning Diversity: Not One-Size-Fits-All

This revelation got me thinking about education and the ed-tech world. Learning is diverse, much like our fingerprints, influenced by factors like learning styles, existing knowledge, teacher skills, and the learning environment. It’s not a one-size-fits-all scenario. Unlike e-commerce or fintech, education is a mix of many factors, making outcomes unpredictable.

Cracking the Ed-Tech Code

In the ed-tech world, many startups claim to have it all figured out. But education isn’t straightforward. Even with a great teacher and a good environment, results can vary. The key is personalization. As one of the most successful edtech organizations, Duolingo has nailed it. They use personalisation heavily with the help of data and AI capabilities. It’s more than just content; it’s a tool that customizes learning, keeps you engaged, gives instant feedback, and challenges you – all the elements of ‘Deliberate Practice’ proven to make learning effective.

Ed-Tech as a Product Game

Some say being pushy in sales is the key to success in ed-tech, but I disagree. Ed-tech is a product game, requiring dedication, focus, and effort in building the basics of learning. Success in Edtech business requires 10X more effort and innovation in building the product than what most Indian ed-tech players are putting in. There are no shortcuts here. Building a great ed-tech business is about winning the hearts of learners and finding that sweet Product-Market Fit. Duolingo nailed it by putting the product and learners first. Let’s set our priorities straight and create ed-tech products that win the learning game.