In an ever-changing educational scene, the need to grasp our future generation's perspective is unquenchable. This interest led us on a 20-day journey across two continents with a team of four dedicated researchers, all driven by a single goal: to understand the complexities of the online education markets in India and the United Kingdom. 

Our goal was clear, which is to find ways for edtech firms and other participants in the online education industry, to expand into these two varied markets. But how can you manage the maze of cultural variances, lifestyle choices, and distinct educational trends? How do you comprehend parents' mindsets and children's lifestyles in these countries? These were the questions that guided our research.  

The solution lay. A two-pronged approach. Our technique was developed to capture the complexity and depth of our target group's daily experiences - children aged 4 to 10 years and their parents. We began by implementing Digital Diaries utilizing the Recollective Digital Diary Tool. This technology enabled us to get in-depth insights from 40 families in India and the United Kingdom, insights that were personal, rich, and enhanced by multimedia use.  

But was this sufficient to convey the cultural subtleties and lifestyle distinctions of our target audience? We decided to take a step further. We conducted in-depth interviews with a small selection of participants from both nations, which added another layer of insight to our research.  

The findings were revealing. They offered a striking picture of the hidden potential in both countries' educational systems. But what does this 'white space' represent to edtech firms? How can they use this to their advantage?  

The white space represents undeveloped or underserved portions of a market. In the context of our research, it represented unexplored prospects in the online education market in India and the United Kingdom. These are areas where edtech firms have the ability to develop novel educational solutions that are tailored to the target audience's specific needs and preferences.  

Our research also assisted us in determining the essential elements edtech firms should consider before launching their product in each country. These aspects were influenced by current educational trends, children's daily routines and lifestyles, and the amount of time they spend using connected devices for non-schoolwork activities.  

But how does this affect the future of online education in these countries? How can edtech firms take advantage of these insights?  

Our research yielded numerous benefits. Understanding the lifestyles and daily routines of youngsters in India and the United Kingdom allows edtech firms to design their educational solutions to fit smoothly into the children's lives. By recognizing the holes in the educational business, they can innovate and develop solutions to solve them. Understanding ethnic variations and children's lifestyles allows them to build a product that resonates with their target demographic.