Gatekeepers of the Centralized EdTech World

The New Gatekeepers: Just like social media giants control your data and privacy, Web3 EdTech giants are starting to control your learning experiences and certifications. With little to no interoperability between platforms, your education gets locked into their systems, bound by rigid rules. Instead of enabling true freedom and personalization, these systems often recreate the same barriers they aim to dismantle.

Centralized Control: Web2-based EdTech platforms retain centralized ownership of user data, learning content, and credentials, limiting user autonomy and transparency.

Data Privacy Concerns: Learners and educators often face risks of data misuse or breaches due to centralized storage and a lack of robust privacy safeguards.

Revenue Distribution Disparities:

• In the MOOC space, platforms like Udemy often position themselves as gateways for educators to reach learners globally. However, the revenue-sharing model heavily favors the platform over the educators. For most sales generated organically through Udemy's marketplace, instructors earn only 37% of the revenue, while the platform retains a significant 63%. This imbalance highlights how EdTech giants keep the majority of the earnings, leaving educators undercompensated for their efforts and expertise.

• YouTube: Content creators earn 55% of ad revenue, with YouTube retaining 45%.

Content Ownership and Control:

• On platforms like Udemy, instructors are bound by specific terms that can limit their control over pricing and distribution. For instance, Udemy often discounts courses significantly, which can affect the perceived value of the content.

Dependence on Platform Algorithms:

• Educators' content visibility is heavily influenced by platform algorithms designed to maximize engagement and revenue. This can result in high-quality educational content being overshadowed by more sensational or broadly appealing material.

Limited Interoperability: User achievements, credentials, and learning progress are confined to specific platforms, making it difficult to transfer or verify them across different systems.

Profit Over Purpose: Many Web2 EdTech companies prioritize profit margins over the quality of education, leading to aggressive monetization strategies and lower investment in truly transformative learning experiences.

Lack of Community Governance: Learners and educators have little to no say in platform decisions, perpetuating a top-down approach that limits innovation and inclusivity.