A3 Venture Pitch
Hi All, My A3 production can be found here https://blogs.ubc.ca/ebookventurepitch/ .I hope you will enjoy it. Everton
Continue reading A3 Venture Pitch Posted in: Week 13: Venture Forum
Everton Walker
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Everton Walker
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Everton Walker
A2
I find the connection of learning analytics and assessment and feedback interesting. Speaking from a student’s viewpoint where assessment and feedback form the base on which I learn, the application of social analytics would provide me with up-to-date information about my progress. Naturally, visuals have become a an integral part of what we do and […]
Continue reading A2 Posted in: Week 12: Social Analytics-
Keisha Edwards-Hamilton
Everton,
I must admit that this is the first time I have been exposed to social analytic and I do think it has a place in education. These tools provide valuable insight into the factors that influence learners’ success. I love the fact that these tools can be used for assessments as you mention. For example as a teacher you are able to track students performance when they use CMS of LMS. You can track the amount of logins, the resources there usage. Very cool!
Keisha
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khenry
Hi Everton,
Thank you for your comments. Good food for thought for activities 3 and 4 for this week. I also agree that visuals are essential in any presentation and play a significant part in the presentation of statistics gathered in learning analytics. This is one of the attributes of Many Eyes that I enjoyed, the ability to create visuals of data. So not only do we see the information but we can vary the presentation mode: graphically, pictorially, and text. It is oriented to Multiple Intelligences. I wonder at audio and other forms of presentation. An area for further development?
May I ask you to reiterate your comments on the benefits to students in our post designated for learning analytics and their impact on students.
Kerry-Ann -
khenry
Sorry Everton,
Links did not copy across.Blog for post on learning analytivcs for students – https://blogs.ubc.ca/etec522sept11/2011/11/23/activity-3-week-12-analysing-learning-analytics-students/
Multiple Intelligences – http://www.infed.org/thinkers/gardner.htm
Many Eyes – http://www-958.ibm.com/software/data/cognos/manyeyes/
Kerry-Ann
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David Berljawsky
Hi Everton,
I couldn’t agree with you more about the privacy aspect of Social Analytics. When I was reading up about it for the project this week I initally had trepidation about the value of analytics, I value my internet privacy very highly. Then when I tried out ghostery I realixed something (horribly negative), we are always being watched. Thus my opinion changed (albiet, reluctantly). If we are always being watched, we might as well take advange of this information. I know it’s kind of a pessimistic view though. 🙂 Although I completely agree that privacy is a massive concern.
Thanks for the post.
Dave.
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Everton Walker
Dave,
There is really no privacy online. The reality is that we not usually aware of what is happening in the background. Even though I am concern about other situations, instructors do need to have certain critical information about online activities in learning situation. I am seeing where it is actually working on the blog I use for classes.
Everton
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hall
Hi Everton,
It is sad that I am exposed to social analytic so late in this MET program. It would have helped me a great deal to analyze my progress. Thus I think your point on the assessment and feedback that social analytics would provide to students summarizes its benefits for learners.
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Everton Walker
Day 4
What changes are needed for mobile to grow in the learning market? When I look at the market, I think that two of the main changes could be the design of new mobiles specially made for classroom purposes, more education apps for existing mobiles and a reduction in price for mobiles. The specially made devices […]
Continue reading Day 4 Posted in: Week 11: Mobiles-
David William Price
Thanks for your suggestions.
1. Given the sales numbers for regular mobiles and the cost of development, how would you make the case for developing specialized mobiles for education? Who would make them? Who would buy them instead of the latest and greatest iPhone/Android? How would a larger size screen affect a key mobile affordance – being in a habit of always carrying it around because it’s so small?
2. What kind of apps would you like to see? Consider Vogt’s cube analysis… who would pay for the development of the apps? Who would buy them? How would they be deployed? Consider the popularity of general purpose apps (Evernote, Google Maps, Wikipedia, etc.) for educational purposes… what kind of specialized education apps would you see as valuable enough to drive people to purchase them specially instead of using a general purpose free tool?
3. What do you think is “expensive”? Many developing countries actually have a huge number of mobiles (2.2 billion in India/Africa vs 11 million PCs) and they’re using them for learning now… far more than we do in the Western world. For them, mobiles are the most economical option.
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Everton Walker
David,
I do agree that there are a lot of mobiles in those countries but how many of those mobiles have the capabilities to foster meaningful mlearning? Here in Jamaica, almost everyone has a mobile or two. However, majority of those persons only have ordinary mobiles with just a few features and in some cases cannot access the Internet.
Everton
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David William Price
What is meaningful learning to you?
In developing countries, simple mobiles are used to teach millions how to speak English. They use voice clips embedded in ringtones. In South Africa, simple mobiles allowed young people without computer access to practice math skills in social networks.
To explore learning on mobiles, start with their affordances. The screens may be too small for you to do a lot of reading, but lots of reading is not required for meaningful learning. The mobile does not have to replace classroom learning or e-learning on a notebook computer. The mobile represents a whole other way of learning.
Mobiles work with bite-sized information, reminders, job aids… helping you remember what you’ve already learned, helping you apply what you’ve learned when you’re in the real world.
Mobiles work with collecting data, photos, videos, audio clips, to bring back to the class or share with the class to illustrate real-world applications of what is begin learned.
Mobiles work with performance support, guidance, and coaching. When you’re out in the field, you can share a mobile in a group to help the group run through an activity. You can use a mobile to coach you through doing things that you learned about in class.
The mobile does not have to be a replacement. Its affordances suggest many kinds of learning (authentic, situated as well as behavioural) that differ from what you may be used to.
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hall
Hi Everton,
You have mentioned some very important points. I found the reading information on my blackberry over a long period can be a strain on my eyes. Also there is a major struggle with using the keypad. I take very long time to write using the keyboard of my blackberry. So I agree with you that these challenges are deterrents to mlearning.
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David William Price
It really depends on how you define “mlearning”. Those issues are deterrents to doing a lot of reading in mlearning, but not necessarily deterrents to learning with mobiles.
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Everton Walker
Day 2
I have a blackberry and considers it to be a good device. Even though I would like use it, I have doubts at this moment. I would also need my students to have a reliable mobile and not many of them can currently afford such an expensive device. Personally, I am not satisfied with the […]
Continue reading Day 2 Posted in: Week 11: Mobiles-
David William Price
What does “meaningful” mean to you? Why would your students have to have mobiles? What possibilities exist for you to use your mobile for collecting sounds, video and images out in the world that relate to things you want to teach in your classroom? How might you use your mobile as a guide and a performance support when you’re taking your class on field trips?
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Everton Walker
Day 1
Currently, I am using my mobile for any great learning purpose. The fact is that my laptop is always close so I don’t necessarily have to use my phone. The most I would do is look up word meanings on dictionary.com. I just don’t feel comfortable using that tiny blackberry screen for those purposes plus […]
Continue reading Day 1 Posted in: Week 11: Mobiles-
David William Price
I too rely on my laptop for just about everything. But I’ve started to ask myself about my lifestyle: I could be a lot more mobile; I could interact with a lot more people in different places; I could rely on mobile more to have a more roaming lifestyle. While my MacBook Air has provided me with a lot of freedom already due to being so thin and light… I wonder how I could transform my learning experiences by focusing more time out in the world, collecting photos, video and sound and recording my thoughts as they come, collaborating with others more in real time, and having a discussion situated in the world rather than in my home office. What do you think?
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bcourey
I also have been using my laptop as my main venue for learning…but it requires being tethered to a wireless location – whereas the smartphones use the cell technology and the freedom to learn anywhere increases exponentially. So perhaps we need to think outside WiFi – because as much as the hot spots are increasing dramatically, so many of them are encrypted, we don’t gain access anyway. 3G and 4G may be the best way to go.
Brenda
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Everton Walker
Final Post
Take a moment to write your final post about which PBA future emerging market tool (product or service) you have used and which one you would like to see more of. Well I have used quite a few but blog tops the list. I have been using it even before I started MET and think […]
Continue reading Final Post Posted in: Week 10: Product-Based Assessments-
Deb Kim
Hi Everton,
I also like blogs for PBA. I’ve used a blog mostly for my classes, but haven’t used it for social features. Some of my students have used it for discussion and socialization (They still need to work on blog etiquette though). I’d also like to see more of it for the educational use.
Deb
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Everton Walker
Deb,
That is the route I would like to see blogs go too. Maybe they could also upgrade it to an LMS to facilitate the complete learning experience in a single package.
Everton
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verenanz
I agree with you all – blogs have such potential!!! They can also be “created” and designed in so many different ways as demonstrated by the ETEC blog project group…Using blogs for advertising (products and services) and paying for an online course that uses blogs as a learning tool (like ETEC522) offer two ways blogs can make money….I think accepting that blogs offer a service and have the potential to influence profit makes them so powerful….
Verena:)
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Everton Walker
MET Experience
Assessment is always a topic that catches my attention. Looking back at my MET experience, I must confess that the memories are such that I will cherish them forever. Having gotten so accustomed to the use of tests as assessments, the MET progam proved to me that learning can be even more effective via product […]
Continue reading MET Experience Posted in: Week 10: Product-Based Assessments-
verenanz
Hi Everton!
A few people have written about how much anxiety is involved in formal test assessment. I think it’s wonderful that you are able to learn in a “fear-free” environment! I agree that authentic learning offers personal as well as professional growth and learning. Do you think that MET, and the underlying PBA, have helped you develop skills that you can use in your workplace?Verena:)
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bcourey
Hi Verena,
I would like to add that the PBA activities in MET have definitely developed useful skills that I now use in my workplace. Because the assignments were so authentic, the skills transfer easily into the real world. I have created videos instead of powerpoints, used Voice Thread for teacher feedback (instead of the dreaded feedback forms!) on projects, use concept maps, blogs and wikis often now for groups of teachers who I have worked with for PD, and overall, have a much greater confidence in using technology in general. Reading about these tools, and writing a test to demonstrate how well I can memorize the instructions for using the tools is a total waste of time and would not help me learn how to use them in real situations. Only PBA can do that!
Brenda
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Everton Walker
verenanz,
As it relates to my workplace, MET has prepared me to do things differently; which include teaching, learning and assessment. In addition, for most of the courses, feedback was also emphasized and the instructors practiced what they’ve preached. Even though I would like to provide adequate feedback in my college, there is a big challenge as the assignments are numerous and the teaching hours long. As a result, there isn’t enough time to mark assignments and provide feedback before exams. Also, I am not able to make certain decisions as the respective governing bodies have to do so. I am a strong advocate for PBA and would like to see it replace the exams, but right now that can only be done on a phase basis as we operate in an exam dominated culture.
Everton
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verenanz
Hi Brenda!
I looked for an “Emerging Venture” online – a “Professional Development” tool that could be sued in the workplace to really offer employers a wider view of “who” the employee really is and “what” they are doing. Other than one University Library Program….I couldn’t find a software or tool that really met the “Employee Assessment” piece…I definitely think that there is a lot of potential is this area for future growth…and ventures….
Many MET students are teachers, or have an educational background….and what I “imagine” is some kind of “product” that offers employees the use of technology to create e-portfolios, and other artifacts (like business plans, projects), but also has some kind of reflective, accountability piece that tracks “what the employee has done….what they they are doing…and what they plan to do…..” Then the employee and employer can be reflective – together….and there is some kind of “evidence” to support the feedback. I believe that someone in our class might have the Assessment background to create the”next big Assessment” tool…based on PBA for the workplace… I know that Mahara offers the “storage” part….but its the reflective piece/the “feedback” that is still missing….
Just an idea…
Verena:) -
Keisha Edwards-Hamilton
Everton,
I agree with you that the MET progam has proven that that learning can be even more effective via product based assessment. Since I have been exposed to PBA in the MET programme, I have used it in some of my class and students actually love this method. Many claim they value PBA over traditional assessment methods since PBA offers authentic task and thus enhance learning.
Keisha
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hall
Hi Everton,
I support your points. After I spent a great portion of my life sitting tests and examinations, I too cherish the assignments of the courses in MET programme. I think I have learnt more from these assignments rather than the tests and examination I had to study for in previous program. In the programs I have completed prior this MET program, the concepts became clear and concrete when I was placed a physical environment based on my areas of studies. PBA is useful approach for one feel that he or she had learnt a concept.
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Everton Walker
Keisha,
Quite so. I hope to see the back of exams one day or at least less exams. I think we would be able to get more from our students through PBA. I have learned so much from MET without exams. Many of our students are forced to apply rote methods to prepare for exams. If one should quiz them a few hours after the exams then we would be surprised to see that they haven’t retained much.
Everton
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Everton Walker
Conroy,
I must say the same. The number grade from an exam is never a true reflection of my knowledge of the concept. I was very surprised when I realized that I wouldn’t have to do exams for this program as I have been doing exams all my life. It took me a while to adapt to this new kind of learning and assessment but now I fully endorse it. I would like do a research comparing this PBA with the traditional methods.
Everton
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Everton Walker
Discussion #3: To invest or not in iPad
Personally, I think it is making a contribution but I would give it some more time before I classify it as a game-changer in education. It has been doing well as it relates to facilitating ebook reading among others but with the absence of word processing etc, it is missing an app that can be […]
Continue reading Discussion #3: To invest or not in iPad Posted in: Week 09: iPad Apps-
hall
Thank you Everton for responding to the questions, you have certainly made some valuable contributions. I support your point that Ipads are appropriate for classroom innovations as it relates to assessment and instructions from kindergarten to the tertiary level. I also think it could use for recreational purposes. Do you hope to get an Ipad soon? Its flexibility will definitely help in accomplishing more tasks especially like busy person like you. I know workload at the tertiary level is a lot.
In regard to your point that “. It has been doing well as it relates to facilitating ebook reading among others but with the absence of word processing etc, it is missing an app that can be considered basic but effective in the tech-world”. An Ipad does not have any built-in apps for word processing. But it is possible for an Ipad user to download word processors from the iTunes store. One of the best one on the market is iWork Pages app. There are others word processors for Ipad Apps that are available. You could view these Apps at http://appadvice.com/appguides/show/best-ipa-word-processors
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Everton Walker
Conroy,
I think I need one to do some exploration. It is in my best interest to get familiar even though I dont know when my college will buy into the iPad iDea. Is that a free app? Well maybe I should have stated that such app should be built-in; but then again many persons do not even pay attention to word processing app. if I get one I wouldnt need to get a kindle.
Everton
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Everton Walker
Discussion #2: iPad in Assessment &Remediation
There are so many situation that I would like to incorporate the iPad in my workplace. As a part of the literacy program, our second and third year students are required to have practical sessions with students from the primary grades. However, based on the usual attitude and interest inventories done, the students are fascinated […]
Continue reading Discussion #2: iPad in Assessment &Remediation Posted in: Week 09: iPad Apps-
Angela Novoa
Hi Everton, thanks for sharing your ideas. From my experience, iPads functions great as eBooks. There are different free and payed apps that allows users to make annotations and classify your readings. Plus, through its Internet browser users can search for vocabulary that the reader does not know. I am not familiar with the assessment instrument that you mentioned (QRI4). Could you tell us more about it?
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verenanz
Hi Angela and Everton,
Thanks for the great ideas. My daughter loves reading on her IPad. I would love to be able to find books that are at her level- please tell us more about QR14.
Angela- what Apps do you enjoy using most for developing “great” readers? W use KoBo …what others do you suggest?
Verena:)
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Everton Walker
Reflection
What are the benefits to converting a business or school district to cloud computing?” The benefits of of cloud computing cannot be ignored and seems to be the future of data storage. With the changing space of the classroom environment, and the issues of security and privacy being of paramount importance, the stage is now […]
Continue reading Reflection Posted in: Week 08: Files in the Cloud-
jenaca
HI Everton,
I agree with your post on the benefits of converting a business or school district to cloud computing. I believe that more storage and lower costs are the most enticing reasons to convert. Glad to see you are taking advantage of our dropbox cloud:)
Jenaca
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David William Price 9:41 pm on November 28, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Your venture is a multi-level marketing scheme?
jarvise 10:20 am on November 29, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply
I have to be honest. After watching te elevator pitch, I was left thinking that your proposal was for some kind of pyramid scheme. I did, however, take a look at your written venture, so you obviously caught my attention – even if it was for the wrong reasons. Your proposal makes sense and there is clearly a need for an intervention such as this one. I question, however, how you can envision the type of growth and far-reading global markets you describe. I’m not sure how you could go from an idea to having people heading up operations in different areas of the world. It seems like a pretty risky proposition. I would be more comfortable with a growth plan that starts with a much smaller niche market that you are very familiar with, and expanding from there. There are some great ideas here that may work better as a non-profit.
Emily
hall 1:52 am on November 30, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Everton,
Your elevator pitch on ‘ebook’ is a good one. The presentation of ideas and audio were clear. The graphics and font size were good.. In light of the major drive worldwide of ‘go green’, this product would definitely protect our environment and promote the go green concept. Ebook would definitely bring flexibility to the educational markets. I think the idea of creating a network of ebook is good way for persons to advertise the product and earn as they do so. But it could be risky business.
Conroy
mcquaid 3:02 am on November 30, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Hi, Everton.
First, my criticisms:
– having the video on the blog, as the blog needs work – nothing custom, including leaving the first generic post on
– the voice – the intonations / choice of delivery had me backing off
– greatly exceeded the maximum video length
– end credits playing while voiceover is still going
– is this some kind of pyramid scheme… seems sketchy now
The good news / potential?
Don’t market it as a reading solution, because it isn’t. You have a money-making plan based on social structures. Use analytics or some kind of tracking and rewards scheme, and be up front about it. There’s potential there, but it needs some tweaking and a different approach.
Cheers,
Stephen
Angela Novoa 10:35 am on November 30, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Hi Everton,
I think your venture has a market that is increasingly growing over time. You have provided a detailed venture pitch with information about the market and the product. However, I would suggest you to provide more information about the ask, the reader and marketing (how buyers/users will be reached), in order to be easier to an EVA to make a decision.
Cheers,
Angela.
David William Price 10:53 am on November 30, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Elevator pitch assessment
everton walker – ebook venture pitch
First Impression: voiceover slides, sounds like a woman’s voice but Everton is a man, seems to be a multi-level marketing scheme
CEO Credibility: The CEO does not appear as an image or video although there is a voiceover by woman all the way through. The voice shows some excitement but as the pitch is a multi-level marketing scheme, that excitement feels like a get-rich-quick pitch, not an investment pitch. I might take a negative inference based on the fact the CEO is unwilling to appear or voice this himself.
Management Team: No team is mentioned, so I have no way to judge. I might take a negative inference based on the fact the CEO is unwilling to talk about the team
Venture Concept: Doesn’t explain how it improves learning or reading. Images appear unrelated to voiceover. Appears to be a multi-level marketing scheme to sell e-books. It’s not clear whether it’s the readers being sold or the text in the readers. This is not so much a learning tech venture as a get-rich-quick scheme.
Opportunity Space: Claims a market worth billions expanding quickly worldwide. Doesn’t describe a target market, projected market share or revenue.
Market Readiness: Describes a multi-level marketing approach to distribution and sales.
Competitive Edge: No competitive edge described unless the MLM distribution is considered a competitive edge.
Exit Strategy: Hints at an MLM exit strategy, which is basically recruiting as many people below you as possible to get an unearned stream of income.
Overall Investment Status: I don’t see the CEO or the team, I don’t know who the targeted market is. Appears to be a multi-level marketing scheme for a commodity (e-readers). I consider this extremely high risk and would not pursue.
andrea 6:52 pm on December 1, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Hello Everton,
If I understand your elevator pitch correctly, this is sort of Amway for e-books. Will your team be creating the e-books (writing them, or working with publishers to create them) and the e-book readers? In your venture pitch, it sounds like you will also have a service (provided by ‘partners’ or your core team?) that will offer training on how to use the affordance of e-readers to support students’ particular needs. I think providing support for educators around the world to use technology is a really worthy venture.
Andrea
Deb Kim 11:03 pm on December 1, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Hi Everton,
To be honest, I have to agree with what other coursemates said. I don’t think your intention is to make this a pyramid scheme, but your venture is a bit sketchy to me too.
Deb
murray12 8:39 am on December 3, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Hello Everton,
My feedback matches the impressions posted above. I’ll admit that I had to watch your elevator pitch a few times to truly absorb your intentions since I was initially focusing on how your images and audio seemed out of sync. Overall, the intention of your product, a network to help combat world illiteracy, is admirable, but as an investor I would need more ask and marketing information before I got to involved.
khenry 1:31 pm on December 4, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Everton,
I really appreciate that you presented another aspect to the assignment in your CEO of a company capacity. This provided a different element to our experience and analysis.
You offered some valuable attributes of the e-book that I think would be big selling factors. Is your suggestion of creating a network, what you would add to your being the CEO of an e-book company?
Here is where I think your idea trumps – If you focus on a target market of struggling readers with your features as ‘built-in dictionaries, text-to-speech feature, bookmarking, reminder of where the reader stops the last time among others’, then from there identifying your competitive advantage that would make your e-book different from its competitors.
Schools can order books. Networks being created by discounts for everyone who you sign up or a commission for every x e-books sold or discount for every x e-books bought. I believe your image in the elevator pitch shows a pyramid, which may be suggestive of a pyramid scheme, where many investors shy away from.
In your elevator pitch you also mention the advantage of collapsing many textbooks into an easy to use and easy carrier. Another angle you may pursue is to engage with partners who offer e-text packages tailor-made for your market that come with your e-book.
I believe that the e-book can indeed offer so much to the education system!
Kerry-Ann