10 Must-Have Features of an Online Education Platform | Kitaboo
Tags: Education, Online Learning, Education Reform, Digital Learning, Education Technology

An online education platform is meant for delivery of educational content to students. The platform, unlike a textbook is an interactive medium where students can engage with the content. And therefore, these platforms are in high demand in schools and universities across the globe. Because every institute wants their students to understand the concepts and its implications in the real world. KITABOO Nov 15, 2019·3 min read

This high demand has resulted in the production and availability of many such online education platforms in the market, putting educational institutions in a dilemma. How do they decide which platform works best for their students? Every vendor claims to have the best learning platform which benefits students and teachers. They all have multiple features are more or less similar to one another.

What then, is the differentiating factor which you should look for while selecting an online learning platform?

Here in this blog, we will highlight some of the features that must be present in a learning platform. Having a concise list will help you determine and compare among multiple tools and make the right choice for your students.

Also read:How Can eTextbooks Help K-12 Publishers, Institutes & Students

So, here are the must-have features of an online education platform.

1. Easy-to-use interface

First of all, we need an interface that is easy to use. The icons and text should be clear and legible. Teachers and students must be able to navigate through the app smoothly. A lot of teachers are still getting used to the idea of using eBooks and online content delivery platforms in classrooms.

As instructors are required to design courseware, they must be comfortable in using the platform efficiently. The tool should be designed in such a way that someone who does not know coding must be able to use and operate it without difficulty. As for students, they will appreciate a platform which allows them to navigate easily and functions smoothly.

2. Custom Branding

An institution would want a platform which offers a touch of personalization. Just like all the learning resources provided by an institute has their logo over it, similarly, the learning platform must also incorporate their brand image/logo and color palette.

It will give the students a sense of belonging, rather than using a third-party tool. Therefore, you must look for a vendor who can provide a white-label platform, which you can customize as per your liking.

3. Offline Reading

Though it’s an online education platform, it must also be accessible offline. Students might want to download some content and read later. And in case there’s no internet connectivity, students should not be deprived of the chance to study. So, there must be an option for users to download content and read it offline.

4. Cloud-hosted Platform

Ensure that it is a cloud-based platform. Meaning, all the data is saved on the cloud. With a cloud-based tool, you can be assured that your content is always accessible from anywhere and anytime. Moreover, it can be updated as and when required, and the changes would be reflected in all students’ eBooks.

5. Interactive Elements

You should be able to add interactive elements to the platform. Online interactivities include quizzes, audio files, videos, simulations, gamification etc. The tool must also allow students to make notes and share with their peers or teachers, bookmark pages, search for information, highlight texts, etc. Including interactive elements increases student engagement with the courseware. Hence, look for all the interactivities that the platform offers.

Click here to know more about features an online education platform must have