During the first two years most of the education 2.0 startups focused on language learning. The main reason for this is the relatively easy transition from basic offline language learning / teaching patterns to online applications and platforms. Language learning is text, audio and video based and all three of them are established media types by now. Then, in late 2007 / early 2008 the increasing quality of Skype and other VoIP clients made it possible to connect a learner with a teacher for live lessons.
What we can now see is the rise of a new topic: mathematics. Today, we will focus on four companies, two platforms and two virtual classrooms.
Bettermarks
Bettermarks is a German startup, founded by Arndt Kwiatkowski who is best known as the founder of ImmobilienScout24, Germany’s biggest online marketplace for estate, Marianne Voigt und Christophe Spéroni.
The platform has only launched in Germany at the moment, nevertheless there is already a short video in English available.
The platform is conform to the different school systems we have in Germany and the educational framework has been developed by Jan Lietzau who leads a team of seven people working on the different exercises for the system.
As you can see the service lets the student choose on which level he/she would like to be trained. Being a teacher I am a bit skeptic about this approach as I think that most students tend to learn for an average if they have the chance to, especially when I think back to my school career 
.
So, in my opinion there needed to be an incentive for the kids aiming for higher goals and I think the next company has a pretty interesting approach for that.
TenMarks
TenMarks is an US startup founded by Andrew Joseph and Rohit Argawal who wanted to leverage the possibilities of the internet to help parents and students in achieving higher goals.
Similar to Bettermarks in Germany students will have different topics and exercises according to their current level in school and adjusted to the curriculum of the state they are based in.
The unique thing about Tenmarks is the video lesson button, sort of a “panic button” for students who are still stuck after the different tips and hints they got by the automatic system.
The second interesting feature is the rewards system where parents are able to set up different rewards for achieved goals. As said above, I think this is crucial to get kids / teenagers motivated in their aim for higher marks. Sure, there are always some who do it on their own but for the vast majority a “carrot” might be a valuable lure.
Edoboard
Edoboard is a French startup, founded by Gregory Tappero and Clement Vouillon. It offers a virtual classroom environment similar to Dimdim, WiZiQ, Adobe etc but the core features are the different mathematical tools like the equation editor and the function grapher.
With the extension of TutorsBox, which is a backend application for the EdoBoard classroom schools and institutions can even manage different teachers, students and classes in one interface plus TutorsBox also delivers real time analytics of the lessons given.
Blueteach
Blueteach is also French Startup, founded by Kemal El Moujahid. It is a virtual classroom which offers a wide range of features like co-browsing, embedding of Google Maps, picture search on Google etc. but then again, the classroom offers tools for mathematics.
Before the launch of Blueteach the company already had a first online education platform targeting private lessons in France called Teacheo. The virtual classroom on the platform also offers the same mathematical tools like the equation editor and the function grapher.
Conclusion
After languages, mathematics and then followed by other science topics like physics and chemistry will be the next big wave of online education startups. As this is a crucial skill, even more than languages, I think we will see some pretty successful companies in this vertical. I also believe that the equation editor and the function grapher will become a standard feature in virtual classrooms, at least in those targeting a broader audience of teachers, not just language teachers.
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