In this section, you will assume the role of an Educational Venture Analyst to:
- Learn about the SWOT analysis;
- Make use of the SWOT analysis to audit a venture of your choice in personalized learning,
- Discuss your thoughts on whether or not it would be viable for your school, district, business or yourself to invest in the select personalized learning venture, and
- Contribute to your peers’ posts.
What is a SWOT analysis?
The SWOT analysis is useful in identifying issues that would allow the company performing the analysis to plan for its future objectives and goals.
According to MarketingTeacher.com (n.d.):
SWOT analysis is a tool for auditing an organization and its environment. SWOT analysis is the first stage of planning and helps marketers to focus on key issues. SWOT stands for strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.
According to Wikipedia (2012) on SWOT Analysis:
- Strengths: characteristics of the business, or project team that give it an advantage over others
- Weaknesses (or Limitations): are characteristics that place the team at a disadvantage relative to others
- Opportunities: external chances to improve performance (e.g. make greater profits) in the environment
- Threats: external elements in the environment that could cause trouble for the business or project
Example: SWOT Analysis – Knewton
Strengths:
- Knewton’s technology can be integrated into any third-party learning solutions.
- The technology builds on data gathered across all of its networks.
- Knewton provides clients with service, content, and infrastructure to facilitate adaptive learning.
Weaknesses:
- The required technology (i.e., Internet) to access Knewton’s Adaptive Learning Platform may not be available in all areas.
Opportunities:
- The partnership with Pearson Education and Wiley opens doors to the global marketplace.
Threats:
- There is competition with companies that make use of usage data to recommend learning content.
- There is competition with in-service teachers.
Here is another example of using the SWOT analysis to examine a venture which offers personalized learning products.
Activities:
Activity Six: SWOT Analysis – Please choose a venture specialized in personalized learning and conduct a SWOT analysis from the perspective of an EVA. The venture can be selected from one of the examples provided elsewhere on this blog or one that you know about and would like to share with the class.
Activity Seven: Discussion – As an EVA, please discuss your thoughts on whether or not it would be viable for your school, district, business or yourself to invest in the venture selected for the SWOT analysis and explain why.
References:
MarketingTeacher.com. (n.d.). SWOT analysis. Retrieved from http://www.marketingteacher.com/lesson-store/lesson-swot.html#video
Susan. (2007, November 10). SWOT analysis – Pearson Education’s digital education products [Web log post]. Retrieved from http://unit9ci.blogspot.ca/2007/11/swot-analysis-pearson-educations.html
SWOT analysis. (2012, October 12). Retrieved October 15, 2012 from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SWOT_analysis