How Highlights and Social Learning are Changing the Landscape of Online Publishing and Education

How Highlights and Social Learning are Changing the Landscape of Online Publishing and Education

In recent years, the internet has revolutionized the way we consume content and learn new information. Two key trends that have emerged are the rise of Highlights on Medium and the demand for social learning experiences in education. These developments have not only changed the way we interact with online platforms but have also opened up new opportunities for writers and educators.

Medium, a popular online publishing platform, introduced the feature of Highlights, which allows readers to mark and share their favorite passages or quotes from articles. This feature has been widely praised by both readers and writers, as it enhances the reading experience and provides valuable feedback for authors. Nick, a member of Medium's product team, explained that the idea for Highlights came from the Notes feature and Recommend Notes, which allowed users to leave comments and share their thoughts on specific parts of a post.

The introduction of Highlights not only made sharing writing on Medium easier but also turned the platform into one of the leading online publishing platforms. It shifted the focus from vanity metrics like views and clicks to depth and engagement. Medium became a community where people interacted with each other and became smarter based on those interactions. This shift in focus allowed Medium to attract high-quality writers, who were rewarded financially for sharing quality posts.

For readers, the introduction of Highlights made the reading experience more social. They could now highlight passages they resonated with, share them on other platforms, or capture ideas to revisit later. This social aspect of reading added a new dimension to the way people consumed content online.

On the other hand, in the education sector, there has been a growing demand for social and community-driven learning experiences. Consumers are seeking a more interactive and collaborative approach to learning. Edtech companies have recognized this demand and are capitalizing on it by offering social learning platforms. However, there is still untapped potential in this space, as popular edutainment companies with strong single-player experiences have yet to fully embrace the power of social learning.

Social learning, which involves teaching and learning from others, has been proven to drive greater retention and understanding. By creating platforms that foster collaboration and interaction among learners, edtech companies can create truly engaging and effective learning experiences. This shift towards social learning is not only happening in consumer-focused education but also in enterprise and K-12 models.

In the enterprise space, large B2C education companies are leveraging their consumer brands to launch enterprise offerings. By providing businesses with tools for employee training and development, these companies are capitalizing on their expertise and reputation in the education sector. This move towards enterprise solutions allows education companies to diversify their revenue streams and reach a wider audience.

In the K-12 sector, there is a growing focus on supplemental learning and addressing the needs of parents and other stakeholders. Parents want to be informed and involved in their children's education, and edtech companies are responding to this demand by creating platforms that facilitate communication and collaboration between parents, teachers, and students. This shift in consumer buying behavior in edtech has the potential to significantly impact the way education is delivered and experienced.

So, what can we learn from these trends and how can we apply them to our own products and strategies? Here are three actionable pieces of advice:

• 1. Focus on engagement metrics that truly measure the value users are getting from your product. Vanity metrics like views and clicks may not accurately reflect user engagement. Identify one metric that aligns with the core value proposition of your product and prioritize features based on their impact on that metric.

• 2. Embrace social learning and create platforms that foster collaboration and interaction among learners. The power of teaching and learning from others is undeniable, and by incorporating social learning features into your product, you can create more engaging and effective learning experiences.

• 3. Don't assume that everyone uses your product the same way. Take the time to analyze how users are interacting with your features and identify any gaps or opportunities for improvement. User feedback is invaluable, so don't hesitate to incorporate it into your product development process.

In conclusion, the rise of Highlights on Medium and the demand for social learning experiences in education have changed the way we consume content and learn new information. These trends have opened up new opportunities for writers and educators and have the potential to transform the online publishing and education sectors. By understanding and embracing these trends, we can create products and strategies that truly engage users and provide them with valuable learning experiences.