Title

AWS re:Invent 2022 - Pioneering the future of learning (WPS101)

Summary

EF (Education First) is the world's largest private education company with a presence in 120 countries, over 600 schools and offices, and more than 50,000 employees.
EF has been teaching online for 25 years and delivers 45 million online lesson minutes every quarter.
The company underwent a significant transformation, moving from on-premises to cloud services with AWS, consolidating data into a data lake, and focusing on innovation with a new team called EF EdTech.
EF's teaching philosophy emphasizes the importance of individual mentoring, as evidenced by Bloom's Two Sigma Problem.
The pandemic accelerated the shift to online learning, with 80% of students preferring it even when given a choice to attend physical schools.
EF introduced Hyperclass, a dynamic online classroom environment that uses green screens and virtual environments for interactive and engaging lessons.
The platform, named Effecta, consists of four components: Hyperclass, a content system, a student portal, and a teacher operations center.
EF collects extensive data during lessons to provide insights and personalized feedback, leveraging AWS machine learning services.
The company is looking for innovation partners to expand the use of its platform beyond language learning to other educational and training applications.

EF's early adoption of online education positioned it well for the rapid shift to online learning during the pandemic.
The company's focus on data collection and analysis allows for a deeper understanding of student engagement and teacher effectiveness, potentially revolutionizing educational outcomes.
Hyperclass demonstrates how technology can create immersive and interactive learning experiences that mimic real-life scenarios, enhancing language acquisition.
The Effecta platform's modular design suggests it could be adapted for various educational purposes, not limited to language learning.
EF's commitment to data privacy and compliance with regulations like GDPR is crucial for global operations and builds trust with users.
The company's search for innovation partners indicates a strategic move to scale its platform and explore new markets and applications.
The presentation at AWS re:Invent showcases EF's innovative approach to education and its potential impact on the industry, inviting collaboration and further exploration of its technology.