How Pandai Scaled Its Online Learning Program

Pandai’s challenges

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Transitioning to online education was a monumental challenge for Pandai. We faced a lot of obstacles with Zoom, from bandwidth limitations causing call drops to the difficult task of managing meetings and analytics. It was a true test of our team's resilience and adaptability.

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Before COVID-19, Pandai operated with a two-pronged approach: an app-based quiz platform and an offline education business. However, the pandemic introduced significant changes, pushing Pandai towards online learning, a venture filled with both challenges and new possibilities.

As educational institutions in Malaysia closed, Pandai quickly moved to online learning with Zoom, a step to maintain education continuity during COVID. Yet, this shift brought its own set of challenges. Zoom was a convenient solution initially, but soon, its limitations started hitting hard - 

• App installation requirement:

Pandai wanted a seamless experience that didn't require students to install a separate app. Zoom's necessity for app installation was a hurdle, especially for parents who were reluctant to install additional software on their devices.

• License constraints

The shared Zoom account among tutors due to license limitations posed a challenge. This complicated managing multiple classes and sessions, as they had to coordinate using a limited number of licenses.

• Network bandwidth issues

Network bandwidth constraints were a significant problem, impacting the quality and consistency of online classes. This issue was particularly challenging in areas with poor internet connectivity.

• Lack of recording capabilities

Pandai's Zoom setup initially did not include recording features. This limitation was a significant drawback as it hindered students' ability to review classes later or access missed sessions.

• Lack of full control over interface

Pandai sought more control over the online class interface, which Zoom couldn't fully provide. They needed a platform that allowed them to tailor the online learning experience more closely to their requirements.

Seeking a more adaptable and scalable online experience, Pandai tried building a custom WebRTC live video experience inside their platform with BigBlueButton — an open source video SDK solution. While the solutions had potential, their challenges were unexpected for Pandai

• Difficulty in scaling

Even after successfully installing BBB on their servers, Pandai found it very challenging to scale the platform to meet their growing needs. This issue was compounded by the increasing number of students and the expanding scope of their classes.

• Complex deployment

Managing and deploying the open-source BBB platform on their own servers proved complex. While initially appealing, this requirement of having full control over the platform soon became a significant obstacle due to the technical demands and resource requirements involved.

• Resource intensive customization

Despite BBB being open-source, which typically suggests easier customization, Pandai found that the resources and effort required to customize the platform were substantial. This made it difficult for them to tailor the platform to their specific needs and preferences.

These challenges highlighted the difficulties of shifting to online education and showcased the importance of a scalable and reliable platform for EdTech companies like Pandai.

Enter Dyte. 

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How Pandai uses Dyte

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Integrating Dyte was a game changer for Pandai. It addressed our critical needs with its cost-effective pricing and ease of integration. The features like recording, polls, chat, and efficient participant management significantly enhanced our online teaching capabilities.

The main factors that drew Pandai to Dyte were its affordable pricing and ease of integration. Compared to other video SDKs that were difficult to integrate and had complex documentation, Dyte stood out for its straightforward implementation process. Pandai could integrate Dyte into a sample app using the pre-built UI kit within a day. 

Starting with a few classes, Pandai successfully scaled up their operations on Dyte to handle over 30 classes daily, each accommodating 100 students. The Dyte platform allowed for extensive customization, enabling Pandai to tailor the online learning experience to their student’s needs.

Dyte provided features important for interactive online learning, such as chat, polls, and a whiteboard. The platform's ability to function smoothly even with low bandwidth ensured that all students, including those in rural areas with limited internet access, could participate in classes

Pandai found additional benefits in using Dyte:

• Rapid implementation: 

The integration of Dyte was quick. Pandai could have it running within a day, allowing them to start classes promptly. The implementation was smooth and straightforward with a simple setup and minimal custom coding​​.

• Use of interactive features: 

While initially using a whiteboard, Pandai now conducts all classes with green screen backgrounds inside their app. The webinar features of Dyte, like inviting students on the stage — if they want to ask something or share a though, have enhanced the interactivity of classes​​.

From Pandai’s developer's perspective, Dyte offered an easy-to-use codebase and well-documented SDK, making the integration and development process smooth. The straightforward nature of the APIs and the responsive technical support from Dyte's team facilitated effective implementation and ongoing management.

Dyte features used