**1. Introduction**

The revolution in online education has started as more and more individuals choose to learn online instead of physically attending classes [1]. The Industrial Revolution of the late 1700s and early 1800s, which saw a significant transformation in how people were working due to the automation of many manual tasks, has been reflected by online revolution in twenty-first-century society [2]. Almost all major universities and colleges have launched online course programs for interested students who have already seen the benefits. Learning will undoubtedly take place entirely online in the upcoming years in many places. The most recent and practical information and communication technologies have been developed to accommodate the needs of online learning programs.

Over the last century, the traditional concept of education has experienced significant transformation. The incorporation of technology into education has improved both teaching and learning experiences. Because of the current COVID-19 pandemic, educational institutions have opted to incorporate more technology into the learning process to support online courses [1]. As a result, tech-savvy students are already using exciting applications and attending online classes to ensure the government's containment measures of social distance and avoidance of gathering areas. This rapidly growing industry is known as education technology (EdTech). The primary goal of EdTech is to make learning more attractive by employing interactive instructional strategies while enhancing the level and quality of education.

### **2. EdTech definitions**

*Edtech* is short for educational technology. This refers to the use of technology in academic settings, whether that be in the classroom, at home, or elsewhere. EdTech can encompass anything from simple educational tools like flashcards and apps to more complex technologies like online learning platforms and virtual reality simulations [3]. EdTech is used in formal and informal education settings and by learners of all ages [4]. EdTech can support various learning goals, including enhancing student engagement and motivation, improving assessment results, facilitating online learning, increasing access to quality education resources, and supporting blended or online/offline learning programs [4].

An *online course* is an educational program delivered entirely online [5]. Online courses are usually delivered *via* the Internet and may be taught in various formats, including text, audio, video, and interactive multimedia. Some online courses are self-paced, while others are taught in real time, with scheduled class meetings [5]. Colleges, universities, and other educational institutions, such as K-12 schools, continuing education providers, and corporate training programs, may offer online courses. Online courses have several advantages over traditional classroom-based programs. They are more affordable since they do not require the construction or renovation of physical facilities; they are available at any time of day or night and can be delivered to students anywhere in the world. Online courses also offer students various flexibility options, including the ability to complete coursework on their own time schedule or in conjunction with other activities outside of class [5].

The *learning effect* is the tendency for people to learn more effectively when they are given repeated opportunities to practice [6]. This is often seen in school settings, where students who are given multiple opportunities to complete a task tend to perform better than those who have only one chance. The learning effect can also be seen in adults, who often learn new skills more quickly when given multiple chances to practice them [6]. The learning effect is thought to occur because people can learn new information more effectively when required to remember it. When people are given repeated opportunities to learn and use a new skill, they are more likely to retain the information they have learned. This is because the information becomes embedded in their memory as they repeat it multiple times. The learning effect is often seen as an advantage for students and professionals who need to learn new information quickly [6]. By getting repeated opportunities to practice, people can increase their chances of success and improve their ability to understand and remember information.

The *effort effect* is the tendency for people to work harder when they are being paid more. This effect is often used to justify paying people more money for doing a job that is seen as difficult or unpleasant. The theory is that if people are paid more, they will be more likely to put in the extra effort required to do the job well. In many cases, motivating people with other incentives, such as rewards or bonuses, may be

#### *Perspective Chapter: Education Technology (EdTech) and the Online Course Revolution DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.109227*

more effective [7]. This bias can lead people to persist in their efforts even when they are not likely to succeed. The effort effect is often studied in decision making, as it can lead people to make suboptimal choices. For example, a person might persist in trying to solve a problem even when it is clear they will not be able to do so successfully [7]. This can lead to wasted time and energy, as well as frustration. The effort effect can also have a negative impact on people's overall performance on a task. For example, if a person is trying to complete a difficult task, they might become discouraged if they see that they are struggling to make progress.
