How We Built an EdTech Tool: A Journey From Need to Solution
In the wake of the pandemic, the dynamics of learning shifted. While online education offered accessibility, it lacked the interactivity of traditional classrooms. Students began viewing lectures passively, and the essence of active learning dwindled. It was during this time that a client’s challenge set us on a path to create a tool that could bridge this gap.
Identifying the Need
Our client, who was in the process of crafting training courses, found themselves spending an astounding 25 hours just to create questions from video transcripts. They sought a solution that would automate this time-consuming task. As our team discussed this challenge, a fellow engineer mentioned a model we had in the works — “The QG Model”. The gears began to turn, and the concept of Question Generation (QG) started taking shape. We recognized that the real learning was getting lost in this new online environment, and we set out to address this.
The Birth of an Idea
We realized that while the immediate problem was B2B, the solution’s potential impact was much broader. The edtech market was bustling, but it faced challenges, primarily due to the constraints of copyrighted content. We envisioned a platform-agnostic tool, one that would not be bound by the content limitations that other platforms faced.
And then it clicked: Why not integrate with YouTube? Instead of being just passive viewers, students could actively engage with the content. As they watched educational videos, our tool would generate relevant questions, enhancing their learning experience. This concept not only addressed the content challenge but also aligned perfectly with the demands of the post-pandemic educational landscape. An idea that started as a means to assist in training course development was now evolving into a tool that had the potential to redefine online learning.
The Motivating Force: A Hackathon
Our idea got the push it needed during an internal company hackathon. Competing against 130 engineers, our spirited team of eight worked tirelessly to turn our vision into a tangible prototype — in just 12 hours! While this initial version was promising, the journey from prototype to final product required dedicated effort. A core team of five part-time employees, including specialists in NLP research, design, and product development, took on this challenge. Each member brought a unique skill set, and together, we refined the tool to ensure it met real-world needs.
The Road Ahead
We reached out to potential users, conducting interviews to gauge the tool’s effectiveness. Their insights were instrumental in fine-tuning the tool to better serve the educational community.
Our journey has been both rewarding and enlightening. From addressing a client’s specific need to creating a tool with broader educational implications, we’ve come a long way. As we look forward, our focus is on making our innovation known. In a crowded edtech landscape, marketing poses a significant challenge. But with a tool that genuinely enhances the online learning experience, we’re optimistic about the future.
